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The West China I Missionary News I

S e p t e m b e r — 1926

EDITORIAL.

CHINESE ARCHITECTURE.

In “ True and Beautiful A rt” , John Ruskin sa y s :“ A rch itectu re ............ is the art which so disposes andadorns the edifices raised by man for whatever uses, that the sight o f them contributes to his mental health, power, and pleasure” . And further, the same author remarks in “ A Crown o f W ild O lives", “ A ll good architecture is the expression of national life and character” . Here we have from a great student and teacher o f the subject two remarks that are at once real criticism and illum ination. W ith these well in mind, one can venture to visit the great edifices o f the world and, while one may not be able to appreciate the details and decoration o f the buildings, one is prepared to en joy the ensemble as a whole. All art is an attempt to express in outward and visible form the inner thought and ideals o f the artist. W hether it be a sonnet or a cathedral, a painting or a piece o f sculpture, the artist is striving- after self-expression. A p p ly this to the masterpieces o f a nation and there is at once a revelation o f the ideals o f that peopie.

In this issue o f the NEWS, Mr. Arnold S ilcock has given us an introduction to the subject of China architecture which will surely lead some o f our readers to pursue the study farther than our author, because o f lack o f space, takes us. It is o f the nature of an introductory chapter to acquaint the reader with the subject in hand and create in him a thirst for further know ledge. This Mr. S ilcock has done. In reading this article, one can see that the author intends to pursue his subject further— indeed we look to see a com plete volum e from his pen in the near future. Mr. S ilcock is well fitted for such w ork ; for he not only has been studying this subject while in W est China, but has erected one o f the m ost beautiful buildings on the campus o f the W est China Union University. The Friends College Building is not only well built and classical in its sim plicity, it reveals

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Mr. S ilco ck ’s keen insight into the genius o f the best in Chinese architecture. W e hope to be able to refer to his book when it is issued.

W e are guests in this great country and need always to be searching for the very best in its culture and civilization . It is trite to say that China has much to teach the visitor from the W e s t ; and it is equally com m onplace to remark that this people has much to learn from other countries. There is a mutuality o f interests that should go far to bring the East and the W est together. In the com m onwealth o f A rt all nations can live together in friend ly emulation. N o one who has stood in the center o f the A ltar o f H eaven or lingered before the Tem ple o f H eaven can com e aw ay without a feeling o f awe and adm iration. And, unless one is im pervious to spiritual forces and cannot see below the surface o f things, one is ready to jo in hands across the centuries with those whose religious conceptions gave form to these two wonderful structures. Assured o f our everlasting heritage in Jesus Christ our Lord, we may w illingly recogn ize the awe and reverence that gave form to these “ outward and visib le signs” of a deep inner long in g for com m union with the Great Eternal Spirit, whose light is shed abroad in the hearts o f all men. N owhere do we com e closer to the inner life of men than when we stand in the temples and cathedrals o f the world. They are the permanent memorials to m an’s everlasting need o f an everlasting God. A n d we may humbly rejoice in that G od in mercy and grace has vouchsafed to us and our fathers the revelation o f his love thru H is Son Jesus Christ. This is the gift bestowed upon us ; but not for our own selfish en joym ent— it must be handed on until the last o f the sons o f men know of it and re jo ice in it.

THE ESSENTIALS OF ARCHITECTURE.

There was an ancient man who evidently had thought much about the matter o f architecture. H is name was Vitruvius. That is about all we know o f him ; save as he gave voice to some very acute thinking about this subject o f buildings. He gives three qualities as indispensible in a fine building. These are; Firmitas ; Utilitas; Venustas; which in plain English, gives S tab

ility, U tility; and Beauty. Consider these three requisites when you are viewing any bu ild ing ; new or old. Think o f the halls that you have seen and the temples and churches you have visited- Look , for example, at the L in coln Memorial in W ashington , D. C. and you get a new meaning for the word strength ; and you also see that it is possible to have quiet beauty em bodied in a massive structure. Permanance is expressed in all the parts o f the building. Then think o f the cathedral at Milan and recognize the gracefulness o f its outline and you feel its beauty as well as its utility. Yea, its beauty grows out of the utility o f its several parts. Any minster you have visited gives a feeling o f awe and sublimity. A nd in and thru it all runs a subtile something which you finally call beauty This is what Vitruvius must have meant. Mere ornamentation becom es a scar on a building when it is not wedded to usefulness. N ow think of the best temples in China and see if they fulfill this conception o f this ancient artist. Perhaps their one need is better material. Parts o f them will endure ; but too often there is too much ‘ ‘w ood hay and stubble” in their make-up and that will decay or be destroyed by fire-

A ll o f which is a parable. W e are building for eternity ; and the perm anence-of our work depends on the material used, the solid foundation laid down and the careful and exact workmanship put into the edifice. As m issionaries, we are laying foundations that the future will test. The quality o f our work will be demonstrated when we have passed on. It is not o f first im portance as to how much we build ; but what kind of a building we erect. W e may have to delve in the trenches that the foundation may be firmly placed. W e may have to spend years shaping lives that are to fit into this “ liv ing temple” o f G od. Our business is to produce som ething that will endure.

AND SO TO WORK.

The summer has gon e ; some of us got to the hills for rest while others stayed on the plain. Some begin with added vigor, but others feel as if their strength is not equal to the task. W e shall need to call upon reserves o f strength that are assured us. But all o f us must carry on once more until the work is ended and the temple o f the Lord is finished.

THE WEST CHINA MISSIONARY NEWS 3

THE WEST CHINA MISSIONARY NEWS

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THE ORIGIN, DEVELOPMENT AND DECLINE OF CHINESE ARCHITECTURE

hyA r n o l d S il c o c k , A.R.I.B.A.

C o m p a r a t iv e C h r o n o l o g y .

Chaldaean of Asia, circa. B. C. 5000—B.C. 2500. Before this the Sumerians (not Semitic) ruled.

Minoan of Crete. Circa. Prehistoric origin— B.C. 1300. (At commencement of the Iron Age).

Egyptian of Africa, circa. B. C. 4500— A. D. 10-300. (Last of the examples of art of embalming). Completely under Roman domination.

O r ig in a n d D e v e l o p m e n t of t h e C h in e s e R a c e ,

(According to Chinese Sources).

Mythical Period. “ Pau Ivu”, the first man emerges from chaos created from a primordial egg or atom,Celestial, terrestrial and human rulers follow,‘■Yu Ch’ae” (the Nest-having) of the latter, lived in trees. “ Sui Jen” (the Fire-Producers) discovered fire producing appliances.

Legendary Period. The “ San Huang'’ or Three Kings.1. “ Fu Hsi” founded first Chinese State. To him were

revealed the “ pa kua”— Eight Trigrams, symbols of ancient divination and mystic philosophy. He invented the knotted cords for use as records, Cf : the “ quippus'’ of Peru.

2. “ Chu Yung” subjugated “ Kung Kung” the first rebel.


3. “ Shen Nung,; or “ Divine Husbandman” taught the people to till the ground, discovered healing herbs, founded markets. Identified with Sargon, King of Chaldaea, by Lacouperie.

■¡,800 B. C. The “ iVu Ti” or Five Rulers.

1. “ Huang Ti” or The Yellow Emperor. Regarded as historical by Lacouperie who identifies him with Nakhunte, leader of the “ Bak tribes” which he savs jDenetrated to China from Elam, South of Caspian Sea and founded a new civilisation along the course of the Yellow River. Capital was near Hsi-an Fu, Shensi Province. Many industries traced to his time, he “ made weapons, dug wells in fields, lengthened ofiicial robes and built palaces and dwelling houses” . His consort Hsi-ling Shin taught people to rear silkworms.

2 . “ Chuan Hsu” or Kao Yang, grandson of Huang Ti.3. “ Ku” or Kao Hsin, great grandson of Huang Ti.4. “ Yao” Examples of virtuous and benevolent monarchs.5. “ Shun” “ Shu King” the annals compiled by Confucius.

Historical Period. (Exact Chronology not verified).“ Shun” passed on the rule to the Great Y’ u.“ Yu” rescued the country from floods and initiated great irrigation schemes, afterwards divided China into nine provinces. He founded the Hsia dynasty, B. C. 2200.

Period of the Three Dynasties.

1. Hsia. B. C. 2205-1767.2 . Bhang. B. C. 1766-1122.3. Chou. B. C. 1122-255.

B. C. 468-425 Period of Seven Contending Stutes, State of Cli’in communicated with India (also Shu State.) In this dynasty the exact chronology as given in Chinese records can be verified, from B. C. 822.

Period o f the Han Dynasty.

B. C. 221 Shih Huang Ti destroyed antiquities. B. C. 214 built Great Wall. A.D. 60 introduction of Buddhism.


T he O r i g in s . D e v e lo p m e n t an d D e c l i n e

o f C h in e s e A r c h i t e c t u r e .Origin,<?.

The beginnings of the architecture of a people are necessarily bound up with the history of the civilization of that people, for architecture implies more than mere utilitarian hut building and the architecture which a nation evolves might well be taken as the most important (partly because it is the most permanent) record in determining the development of the native culture, with its beliefs, its fears, its ideals, its failures and the influences both indigenous and foreign which surrounded it.

When, however, we come to study Chinese architecture, we are immediately struck by two outstanding differences between it and that of other civilizations.

Firstly, there is the deplorable lack of the essential quality of permanence in structure. So serious is this defect that many writers dismiss this subject with a phrase something like this “ The Chinese have no architecture, what buildings thev have are temporary structures of wood, alike monotonous in form and simple in'arrangement, conspicuous only by reason of the fantastic outline of the roofs and painted decoration of the timbers.”

Secondly, there is the almost equally deplorable lack of initiative and enterprise in inventing new forms and variations of form, which has resulted in the lamentable absence of signs and evidences in the architecture of the current influences which have moulded Chinese civilization in its rise, culmination and decay ; whereas the stories of the development of other early civilizations, even those far older than the Chinese, such as the Chaldaean, Minoan, and Egyptian and are by their records in brick and stones structures, sculptures, and inscriptions, preserved though but fragmentariiy, to our eyes to-day.

We have, therefore, to depend for our information not so much on permanent and reliable records in stone but on the unreliable and impermanent records of bamboo, silk and paper.

Records of the Three Early Dynasties were carved on bamboo tablets, and some of these early writings together with current M .S . books of history were saved by being buried in the earth at the time of the wholesale destruction of antiquities


which took place at the order of Shih Huang Ti, in B.C. 221 and though many were dug up again after his death, many more were lost.

It is only fair to mention, however, that some authorities claim that the history of the development of China can be traced in bronze and other metals. Terrien de Lacouperie s work on Chinese coins shows that a record permanent and giving traces of innumerable current influences from earliest times to the present day, is written in the coinage of China, which is far more complete as a record than that provided by the coinage of contemporaneous civilizations, and which must, therefore, be referred to for information that which most civilizations leave largely in their buildings.

Bushell, also, in “ Chinese Art" Vol. 1 . and the 4th. chaper on bronze, shows how these vessels used from the earliest times, examples of which dating from the Shan dynasty B.C. 1766-1122 are still extant, afford a continuous record. Not only in their form and decoration but by means of the inscriptions which are often found on them, some giving indisputable proof of the date of their founding by reason of well-known historical events recorded in them. On p.28 he says ‘‘ bronze vessels seem tohave been used to preserve sworn agreements...................inancestral temples, as being less liable to destruction by fire than the tablets of bamboo which was the ordinary writing material of the time, the tablets being strung together in bundles and stored in repositories”

If_we take then the material that has come down to us, we are again at once struck by two further difficulties in the way of research. We have seen that what buildings there are of an early time are more likely than not to be in a ruinous condition owing to the faulty, impermanent methods of construction and materials. We would therefore expect that the Chinese authorities, who all claim an intelligent and ardent interest m antiquity, would gladly give permission for these specimens to be measured and carefully recorded by Chinese archaeologists, or by those, who, though foreigners, are at least equally interested and anxious to preserve particulars, and capable of making accurate records. But this is not so, for not only are cameras forbidden on many buildings but permission to measure even on the less important is often refused. W’ hile such conditions rule it is not likely that even greater favours will be granted, such as the permission to excavate. If this were permitted there is no doubt but that a large store of information would be gathered from fragments for many centuries buried and undisturbed owing to geomantic considerations.


The second difficulty is the unfortunate energy and accuracy of Chinese forgers and copyists. From the earliest times inscriptions and other antiquities have been reproduced with such accuracy that it is now often impossible to say whether they are originals or reproductions. Reproductions, though accurate in technique, have not always been accurate as records so that fragments purporting to come from a very early dynasty may well be merely copies made a few hundred or even a fewr thousand years later and therefore lacking in the authority ascribed to authentic contemporary records. The fact that these copies are themselves ancient and valuable does not compensate for the sense of suspicion with which all ancient records must therefore be approached, and if the Chinese had ever had as great a reverence for authenticity as they have always had for antiquitv, investigations into their early history would have been attended with more satisfactory results than can up to now be said to have been attained.

Now that we have aulv noted the many difficulties in the way of archaeological research we mav take the evidences that there are and try to reconstruct the probable progress of the art of architecture in the Middle Kingdom.

The name “ the M iddle Kingdom” is itself a clue to the reason why, in spite of the above mentioned difficulties, there are still records and remains of China's early civilization.

From the earliest times China has thought of herself of the favoured country in the centre of the earth with a fringe of barbarians beyond her mountain boundaries and the seas that wrashed her shores.

Bushell supports her own view that her civilization was indigenous, although on p. 14 of Ch. 1 “ Chinese Art” Vol. 1, hesays.” .......there would really appear to have been someconnection between the nascent civilizations of Chaldaea and China at an early period.” And in this connection anotherquotation may not be out of place. Ch. 4 p. 96...............“ theChinese are presumed to have derived from the west their first knowledge of the division of the periods of the moon’s diurnal path among the stars into weeks of seven days, about the eighth centurv A. D. when they obtained also the animal cycles which had previously been unknown to them. Their knowledge of the 28 Lunar mansions is. however, far more ancient, and it has long been a disputed question whether these were invented in Chaldaea, India or China, or derived from some other common source in Central Asia. Prof. IT. D. Whitney in his “ Studies on the Indian Kakshatras, or Lunar S t a t i o n sums up the discussion by the conclusion that “ considering the concordances


existing among the three systems of the Hindus, Chinese and Arabians, it can enter the mind of no man to doubt that all have a common origin, and are but different forms of one and the same system.”

Perrot and Chipiez are emphatic in the assertion that China had no connection with the ancient world, “ During the period with which we are concerned (they say) China might as well have been in the Planet Saturn for all she had to do with the ancient world, and we need refer to her no more, except now and then perhaps for purposes of illustration.” but Terrien de Laconperie’s “ Western Origin of the Early Chinese Civilization” 1894 is equally emphatic in the opposite view and he asserts that the Chinese are descended from certain Bak tribes who were an offshoot of the partly prehistoric Chaldaean- Elamite civilization. These tribes, he says, left their homes on the Southern shores of the Caspian sea, proceeding by what was later the main trade route south of the Gobi desert and N. of Tibet, entering China across the high North Western mountain ranges, some of them finding their way down into Szechuan where they mingled with the aborigines, but retained their sovereignty. They are said to have brought with them an Akkudian script, and various accomplishments including the ability to work in metals except in iron of which they knew nothing until enlightened bv the aboriginal tribes of what was later called Szechuan.

Lacouperie, who is also a great expert on Numismatics, states that this theory is supported by evidence obtained from the ancient coinage of China. Nevertheless the theory has not been accepted bv many of the best known authorities of the day, still less by the Chinese themselves who have always regarded their civilization as being unique and untainted by foreign influences. This theory interests us closely because it lends colour to an assertion that the early pagodas were types borrowed from the stepped pyramids of the Chaldaeans. Another theory is that the Chinese civilization is an offshoot from the great Egyptian civilization and the supporters of this theory point to the very early knowledge in both countries of the art of pottery and of pottery glazes, and to the similarity of the early picture writing in both.

Hetherington in his fine volume “ The Early Ceramic Wares of China” points out that the composition and colour of the green lead glazes on early Egyptian pottery is the same as that on early Chinese potterv, of which specimens so far examined have been said to belong to the Han Dynasty, but which others believe belong to a period a century or so earlier


and before even indirect communiiation with Egypt had been established as it had in the Han Dvnastv.

China’s early interest in astronomy and her ancient monotheistic religion are also quoted as significant similarities between the two civilizations and very recently the same theory has been put forward on totally different grounds by Ivon Donnelly who has made a special study of the historical development of the Chinese junk. He states that the small junks or boats that ply on the far inland waterways of China bear a strong resemblance in their lines and some of their working parts to the ancient boats of the Nile, and not only so but that old woodcuts and paintings of Chinese boats show that the tvpe has not changed for many centuries. He therefore considers it possible that parties from Egypt penetrated as far as these inland rivers of West China, leaving some of their number there, while the remainder who proceeded down the rivers to the coast were afterwards partially absorbed and their vessels influenced in design by the type of native vessels that they found, and bv the trading vessels that ventured in from outside countries. The people in the far west, however, being almost cut off from sush communication with the outside world, continued to build boats in the form of the original tvpe.

It seems possible to us, however, that both the Chinese and Egyptian civilizations may be offshoots from the Chaldaean- Elamite, and whether this is so or not, it is certainly true that the Chinese have had exceptional opportunities for unrestricted development not shared by other countries. Both the Chaldaean and Egyptian civilizations have long since passed away, but it is remarkable that the Chinese from very earlv times have been able to retain continuously some formof civilization with an ever growing and dominating tradition that affected all the activities of life. Most foreign authorities agree with the Chinese that the historical --San Tai” or ThreeEarly Dynasties B. C. 2305— B. C. 255 actually existed, even though the indigenous nature of a still earlier civilization may be questioned.

Protected on the east and south east by the sea. and on the s.w. and west by high mountain ranges and almost uninhabitable desert regions, and on the north and north east by sea and steppe-desert, and later by another defense, the Great Wall of China, their civilization was free to grow in an almost impregnable position and to flower amidst an almost perfect environment. Fearless of enemies from without and happy in their surroundings within, they were the fortunate possessors of a high tradition, a vast territory, with unexampled natural re

sources, a bracing but sunny climate, and a country side still famous for its variety and beauty. The foreign invaders they have always most feared were the Huns and Hsiung Nu or uigur Turks, wild nomad tribes whose horsemen occasionally swept down from the steppe-desert on the north ; but even their victorious invasions could not wipe out this civilization, with a population too numerous and a dominion too vast entirely to be subjugated. The early races of the world when living in well watered fertile plains quickly developed a civilization, (such as the Mesopotamiah) but they then at the same time aroused the cupidity of the more hardy and warlike tribes of the neighbouring mountain ranges and were in constant danger from them. The Chinese, however, owing to their numerical superiority and extensive territory, were not in serious danger.

Under such lucky auspices it is not remarkable that a native art, vigorous, rich, but conventional ana typical, rapidly developed : although these conditions also produced a comparative uniformity of thought and a stablised tradition, a tendency to over-estimate the value of the activities of the M iddle Kingdom and to ignore those of the outlying Kingdoms. So this art grew amidst the wonderfully isolated geographical position of China, almost without foreign influences and interruptions.

If we turn now to the evidence in Chinese literature, and legend, we find that the earliest allusion to human habitation records that before Fu Hsi, the first ruler of the legendary period whose date we may put at possibly 4000 B.C., there was. a period of myth when there existed beings, human, though living in trees, They are called “ Yu Ch’ao” or “ Nest-having." Perhaps it is these tree dwellers to whom Dr. Edkins refers when he makes the suggestion that the Chinese first used columns in their buildings because their ancestors worshipped in the forests! Prof. Lethaby also seems to endorse the view that when at the dawn of history man set up great columns of stone or wood and worshipped them, he acquired this custom from his eai’liest life and worship amongst forest trees. He quotes the opinion of Sir Christopher Wren as well as that of a great

-anthropologist, in the following words. “ Wren, philosopher as he was, decided that man’s delight insetting up columns was acquired through worshipping in the groves of the forest, and modern research has come to much the same view, for Sir Arthur Evans shows that in the first European age columns were gods. All over Europe the early morning of architecture was spent in the worship of great stones.” It is possible, however, that these stones were merely emblems of primitive Phallic worship and that they were not the prototypes of the

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columns used in early post and beam construction. But if we are to wade back so far into the dark ages to discover reasons for columnar architecture, why not dive in deeper still and accept an argument as obviously absurd as the following :— Birds were the first builders, and they occur earlier in the scale of evolution than the apes, therefore those of the apes that are nest builders acquired their knowledge from the birds. But a distinguished scientist has recently propounded the theory that the three great races of man are descended from the three tnain groups of anthropoid apes : The White race from the chimpanzee, the Black race from the gorilla, and the Yellow •race from the orang outang. But the orang built and still builds nests in trees, and Chinese myth is supported by modern science in affirming that primitive man also built nests in trees. Hence the preference amongst his descendants for tree-like columns and timber structures !

It seems to us that if the recognised modern method of arguing from the particular to the general be followed, it will be obvious that man at the dawn of history did not concern himself with building temples that should resemble forest groves, or in fact with any abstract philosophic ideas of a general nature which became the springs of action in particular instances, but that he used the most obvious means of providing shelter for himself and his family. It would therefore seem reasonable to suppose that any groups of primitive man when more accommodation than Mas provided by the usual conical hut became necessary, might be expected to evolve a type of building in which a larger area had to be covered than the conical roof could manage, and therefore a central wood post might be introduced to prop up the roof. These posts might well be called the prototypes of all later post and lintel construction.

A typical development of the column in architecture can be inferred from certain hieroglyphics that have been found in Egypt. These hieroglyphics, later written in the form / T V indicating a tent or hut, were originally drawn to represent a section through a hut, the roof of which is supported in the centre by a decorated post of wood, and investigators have shown that the form and enrichment of stone columns of a later period still imitate the form and decoration of this early post.

In China the earliest mention of architecture as distinct from the mere building of shelters is found in the description of the activities of Huang Ti the legendary Yellow Emperor. To him is ascribed the distinction of first building palaces and dwelling houses; and if Lacouperie substantiates his theory


that Huang Ti is identical with Nakhunte, the leader of the tribes that, originating in the Childaean-Elamite civilization crossed Asia, settled in the valley of the Yellow River and founded Chinese civilization, then it is probable that these palaces were built of brick. Brick was a building material well known to the Chaldaeans. Yellow clay and loess found in the Yellow River valley would naturally have provided, as thev still do provide, the material at hand for the making of bricks. In early times thsse would probably be sun-dried and not burnt, and juntas in ths civilisations of Mesopotamia and the Nile, the alluvial deposit furnished material for the ancient sun-dried brick?, and tli3 use of kiln-burnt bricks and of dressed stone was not attempted till later, so in China a parallel development probably took place. Nevertheless, cut stone was used very early in China and this is proved by the second reference to architecture by Chinese historians. This reference occurs in one of the oldest canonical books, which describes the erection by the ancient kings of stone towers or “ t’ai” sometimes as much as 300 feet high, and built foursquare on plan. These of three kinds. One kind was used as a treasure house Another as an observation tower for watching hunting or military manoeuvres. A third was built as an astronomical observatorv. A later form of tower of this kind can be seen in the "Watch- towers of the Great Wall of China.

In the Hsia Dynasty B.C. 2205-1767, great irrigation works were undertaken and building was extensive through the whole country. No examples of these works have as vet been discovered, but excavations in the valley of the Yellow River would undoubtedly disclose some relics of this early period, for not only was this the site of the earliest settlements of the Cninese race, but owing to the periodic floods and alluvial deposit in the river valley, relics of these early settlers would naturally be preserved beneath the ever deepening bed of yellow loess which is characteristic of the district.

In studying the architecture of the period we must turn to the only records in existence, which are the descriptions and dimensions given in the ancient Chinese histories. Amongst these the most interesting is the ritual book of the Chou Dynasty or “ Chou-li” and its supplement the ‘•■K’au Kung Chi” . From the latter we learn the remarkable fact that even in the Hsia Dynasty there was no distinction between religious and secular buildings. The ancient palaces were planned to meet three principal requirements. They contained the king’s apartments, the hall of audience, and the ancestral temple. The king’s apartments would consist of private suites for himself,

his wives and servants. The audience hall or halls would have guest rooms attached and would be used for councils of war with the feudal chiefs and for the reception of distinguished strangers. The ancestral temple would naturally be included since the king was also the chief priest and the “ Son of Heaven.'' and to sacrifice to, and plead the protection of the ancestors, was a customary practice preliminary to the transaction of important affairs of state.

The “ Iv’au Kung chi” tells as that when a palace was to be built, the Ancestral temple was always built first. The S.E. angle of the site was the position allotted to this temple, and it is still built in the same position to-dav. After the temple buildings were completed the remainder of the place plan might be carried out, but the whole was built, even as early as the Hsia Dvnastv, according to strict r.ules of orientation, the main buildings being placed foursquare with the front facing south. In this idea we see a similarity with the practice of other early civilizations, especially with that of the Chaldeans and Egyptians, and it is suggested that the practice is a survival from prehistoric times when the worship of the sun led men to build their primitive shrines to face the south. The “ Feng Shui” superstition was not known at this time, but nevertheless fixed rules were already laid down for the planning and the setting out of buildings and they were governed by the ancient system of divination and philosophy which still exists in a modified form in China today.

In a description of a Hsia dynasty temple given in the “ Chou Li” the plan was arranged with five rooms representing the five elements. The central hall was 1 4- ft wide by 17 -frd. feet long, and the other four were each 15 feet square and were placed on the N.E., S.E., N.W., and S.W, respectively. In ancient times the Chinese foot approximated to our English foot. There were nine steps up to the main entrance, and there was placed a separate hall said to have been used as a school room. Each of the five principal rooms had four doors and eight windows. The emperor squatted on a dais one foot high, at one end of the Hall of Audience. At this time the principal building materials were brick for the base and timber for the superstructure, and the geometrical setting out of buildings would be considerably assisted by the adoption of such materials, for it is difficult not to build geometrically and symmetrically with bricks. Here we may note that there was no idea of sanctity attaching to a particular spot as there was in early Greek civilisation and in more recent civilisations, but rather that the idea of the builders was to obtain a conformity with

_______ THE WEST CHS A MISSIONARY NEWS 15


the all-powerful forces of nature. All nature was equally sacred and no special site had a special .sanctity, hut each building could and did represent man’s attempt to create a little universe in a definite relation bo, and in its parrs symbolical of the larger universe as he comprehended it. Although this was their guiding principle in planning and arrangement, yet a symbolical scheme of this kind could only have become gradually imposed upon the builders after many centuries of building during which practical considerations were dominant. A few centuries later we shall see that such symbolic design acquired a stronger hold. N.P. In the Shang dynasty the double roof was invented and it has been a favourite feature in Chinese architecture down to the present day. The additional protection it afforded from the summer sun may have been the necessity which prompted this innovation, but the Chinese histories state that it was introduced to give greater elaboration and dignity to the imperial buildings and this it certainly does. At the same time the length of the hall was increased to 56 feet and the height of the imperial dais increased to three feet, it is recorded that when the last tyrant of the old Shang dynasty was finally defeated, B.C. 1122, by Wu Wang, the son of the founder of the Chou dynasty, the former fled into his treasure house, and there, surrounded bv his riches, he burnt himself and them. This tower must have been an example of the lofty treasure-towers previously mentioned.

In the Chou dynasty the hall becomes more nearly square again. The length was 54 feet and the width forty-two feet. Still greater efforts were made at elaboration ; and as the power and wealth of the king increased, still larger and more numerous became the offices and outbuildings of officials and retainers. The central Hall of Audience or “ Ming t’ang” of the Chou dynasty was built with a square base to represent the Earth and it supported a circular superstructure and roof to represent the Heaven. The height of the dais Avas also increased to six feet. As the style evolved, more of the parts and even of the decoration became subject to fixed laws corresponding to natural law as interpreted by Chinese philosophy. The Ancestral Temple was still built in the S.E. and that of the Earth Spirit on the S.W. N.P. There is still in exictence a bronze sacrificial wine vase of this time which bears on its side a cartouche said to represent in outline a contemporary ancestral temple. This is the only representation known of a Chou dynasty building of the second millennium B.C.

We do not, however, rely on such evidence but mainly on the K ’au Kung chi, which contains some interesting records of


the buildings and of the methods of setting out the buildings upon the site. The custom was first to select a luckv dav, and the day being chosen and the omens being auspicious, the North and South axis was found by means of the shadow cast bv a gnomon, as used on a sundial. A line on either side and at 90 degrees with this axial line would give the position of the main facade facing south. The instruments used were a right- angled mason’s rule and a plumb line, and a utensil to hold water and thus find a true level, which was possibly a bamboo hollowed out, as used at the present day. The setting out of the remaining walls was accomplished by the use of mats six feet long and a measuring rod four feet and two thirds long.

In addition to the usual accommodation there were buildings on the East called “ Pi Yung''5, used for the arts of music and archery ; and on the West, “ Sing T’ai,” or buildings used for the science of astronomy. N.P. The relics of the later years of the Chou dynasty include a long inscription found on a bronze “ t’ing” or tripod vessel, recording a pact made between the King Hsuan Wang (B.C. 827— 782) and a feudal chief, which was confirmed by religious ceremonies. A part of this inscription is quoted here.. “ In the ninth month on the day after full moon, ‘Chia-bsu’ of the 60 days cycle, the King proceeded to the Ancestral Temple of the Chou (dynasty) and offered burnt sacrifice in the Picture Hall. Nan Chung, the Minister of Education, together with me, Wu Chuan on his right hand, came in at the gate and stood in the middle of the Audience Hall. The King summoned the historiographer Yu to record his charge to Wu Chuan . . . . etc. etc.” This bronze tripod is now preserved in the Chiao Shan temple on Silver Island in the river Yangtse near Chinkiang.

A longer insci’iption is found on the inner surface of a bronze “ p’an” or «hallow bowl, inlaid with gold and silver, which records a pact between King Hsiang B.C. 632 and his uncle, a prince of Chin. A part of this inscription is also quoted to show how closely the religious and secular life of the time connected, and consequently that the palaces were also temples. “ In the first month of the King on the day ‘Hsin Yu’ (58 of the sexagenary cycle) the Prince Merquis of Chin announced the subjugation of the Jung and was received in audience by the King. The King, having , thrice rewarded him for his services, on the frontier, in the royal doman, and in the ancestral temple of the royal house, granted him an audience in the sacred hall of the palace, and again took part with the Prince of Chin in the sacrifice of the ancestral temple of the Chou dynasty.”


It was in the Chou dynasty that we are told the people used kiln-burnt bricks for their houses, and we should expect this, for non-Chinese experts also tell us that the first examples found of kiln-burnt pottery belong to this time.

At the close of the sixth century B.C., Lao Tze, the great founder of Taoism, was keeper of the Records in the palace at Lo Yang, but unfortunately no account as far as we can discover has been found of the early shrines and temples of the Taoist religion, nor of those of his famous contemporary Confucius ; much less have actual remains of such buildings come down to us. It is known, however, that there was great activity in the arts and a great expansion in territory shortly after this period, but the most remarkable event of the time was the first important communication with the outside world. Bushell seays that the merchants of the state of Shu (Szechwan Province) began to open up a trade route to the South West with India, approaching bv way of Burma and Assam ; and Hindu ideas began to influence the native cult of Taoism. At this time also or a little later was felt another and more subtle influence. This was of Greek origin and it is thought to have entered China from northern [ndia about the time of the victorious campaigns of Alexander the Great in Central Asia. This was towards the close of the Chou dynasty when from -175 B.C. the seven feudal states of China were contending for supremacy. At this time the power ful feudal state of Ch’in (Shensi Province) which is supposed to have given its name to China, extended its boundaries towards the South and West, and further interchange of ideas as well as of goods, followed. But it is unlikely that these influences had any lasting effect, and certainly none can be traced today ; and the native influence of Confucius which fixed and stereotyped the national expression in almost all the activities of life was able to do its deadening, work uninterrupted. During this period the rivalry between the seven feudal states led also to competition in the building of palaces. A famous example of these in the great palace built in a park beautifully situated on Wizard mountain at the entrance to the Yangtse gorges, north of Ichang. The pleasure gardens at this time first become a prominent appanage of Chinese architecture, and they never afterwards lost their hold on the imagination of the native designer. With the increase in wealth and culture, the extent and size of the palaces increased, and the approach to the royal presence through a long succession of courts, became a feature of the design which still persists. At the gnd of the third century B.C. the state of Ch’in became supreme and the emperor commanded that an exact replica of each of the six defeated chieftains’ palaces


should be built at his capital. It is believed that the Chia-siang bas relief referred to later, represents one of these palaces.

Before we come to the works of the Han dvnastv, B.C. 202 A.I). 220, mention should be made of the great builder who was also the great destroyer—Shih Huang Ti, emperor of the line of Ch'in who drove back the nomads on the North and built the Great Wall in 214 B.C. This was the most notable of his many building enterprises and it very soon became known as one of the wonders of the world. Its watch-towers, stone built with arched windows and gateways by their perfection represent a culmination in an arcuated style of architecture, the earlier examples of which have entirely disappeared. N.P. The Han dvnastv brings to the close of the early period. It was now for the first time that China opened up a regular communication with the outside world and it was not long before the new ideas of Indo-Greek craftsmen from Bactria began to influence the native art. It is possible, however, that the archaeological treasures discovered in Shargtung in the 17th century, and still extant, may prove to be examples of Chinese art before foreign influences penetrated. These treasures comprise the earliest known representation of a Chinese building, ( which gives recognisable features) in a, carving on stone in light relief dating from the first century B.C. Eight slabs of stone were found on a hill called Hsiao T’ang Shan, about 60 li north-west of the city of Eei-Ch’eng Hsien in Shantung. In this sculpture we see that up to this time the slopes and angles of the roofs of Chinese buildings were not curved as now, although iu other respects the roofs heie depicted look extraordinarily like the roofs of today, with the same wide eaves, the same low ridge, the same widely spaced and slender supporting columns. Further more the rectangular truss in the fashion of projecting corbelling upholds the spreading eaves, as is the custom today, and the vertical parallel lines which indicate that the roof was tiled, also lead one to suppose that a form like the “ T’ung wa,” or glazed temple tile, was even then in use. This is possible, for many examples of a green lead glazed pottery dating from this period are extant. The fact that this ancient carving so closely resembles the characteristic roof of later and even modern times is typical of the inertia and poverty of design displayed in Chinese architecture, and we would quote here a commentary bv a well known authority which is relevant in this connection although the subject dealt with is not Chinese architecture but bronze. “ The principal forms go back to a far distant antiquity and have become gradually moulded into fixed lines under the influence of that convention and routine


which prevail in'Chinese art. The introduction of Buddhism in the Han dynasty was the first impulse from an outside civilization on an art which threatened to become stagnant from constant repetition, in the absence during so manv centuries of rival schools to inspire progress. Some vases, it is true, have a certain grace of form and purity of outline, but the majority are heavy, barbaric; of ill balanced proportions and even the happiest models are not free from a vague impression of clumsiness, of hieratic stiffness. The preoccupation of the artist, or rather the craftsman, has evidently been to respect the ritual canons bv which he is bound down, to measure exactly the swelling of the body, the profile of the neck, the flare of the mouth, and the spread of the foot, so as to reproduce faithfully every line of decoration and symbolic design. The slender vases with trumpet shaped mouths and some of the plain wine cups reveal a higher plastic sense, and come within a shade of being .perfect works of a rt ; the touch that is wanting betrays the absence of the free spirit and love of pure lines which inspired the hand of the ancient Greek modeller in bronze.”

As indicated above.it was about this time that the Han dynasty first maintained a regular trade and traffic with the W'estern world and it was during this gradual infiltration of foreign ideas that China first became cognisant of the great Hindu religion of Buddhism. The approximate date of this influx of new thought can be placed at the end of the first century B.C. but it was not until the year 60 of our era that Buddhism was c^ficially adopted by the emperor and proclaimed the state religiop of China. The adoption of Buddhism and its consequent extraordinary and permanent effect upon the art of the nation we must leave to another chapter.

In this brief outline of the influences which affected the embryonic development of the architecture of the Chinese, we have attempted to trace the early and halting attempts of human endeavour to meet the primitive needs of an amorphous and unorganised yet potentially great nation, rather than to attribute their early activities to the promptings of abstract thought'and principle.

Although our information concerning these early days is extremely scanty yet there is sufficient to enable us to trace the pervading influence of a driving force from the West. Whether this was of Chaldean origin is at present uncertain, but records surely must be existing submerged in the river basins and at present'lost to as through the suspicion and the superstition which blocks the road to scientific investigation and knowledge.

C o p y r ig h t b y A r no ld S ilc o c k A.R.I.B.A.39, Onslow Gardens,

Muswell Hill,February 1926. London. N. 10.

THE WEST CHNA MISSIONARY NEWS 21

SOME IMPRESSIONS BY THE WAY” TO TACHIENLU

The Editor asked me to give a few impressions of a fourteen (travel) day trip from Chengtu to just beyond Taehienlu, which I made with Dr. Morse of the U. II. ana Dr. Stevenson of the P.U.M.C. in the early summer. I must not take space for more than a much limited outline which may suggest a few of the causes of the impressions.

I shall divide the journey into nine topographical stages and three stops. The stages average a day and a half of travel each, but thev are not equal in distance and they are not punctuated by inns in every case.

Chengtu—Hsin Chin : First Plain, of aggrading yellow alluvium, intensely fertile ; contented farmer men in the rice fields ; and business men, soldiers, and much mixed freight on well graded auto roads.

Hsin Chin— Chiongcheo : Second (higher) Plain, of aggrading red material that is almost as fertile as the Chengtu Plain. Farmer men in rice fields : similar traffic in chairs, on wheel barrows, and on carrying poles.

Chiongcheo— Yachow : Third (highest) Plain, of degrading, poorer red soil that cannot all be put to rice. Farmer women and men in the fields ; fewer soldiers and more carefully selected, freight for the two-day overland trip, mostly on carrying poles, on poorer roads that are being broadened and improved by contract labor or by soldiers.

Y a c h o w : Upper end o f navigation, lower end of transalpine tea route. Here tea hongs pack tea in bamboo bales for '•backing” to the Tibetan border. Hither gravitate the various medicines and goods which makes the upland Border famous.

Yachow— Top of First Pass (5 + li in height): \-valleys cut by torrential streams on the hither side of the first rain screen. Some farmers by families raise a little rice, more corn, and dripping tea. Most of the people seem to congregate in the inn towns and subsist by “stopping” the traffic in inns and livery stables. A very few chairs, more thin horses, and still more foot travellers, intersperse among the carrying poles and carrying frames of the heavy inward bound freight. An annual


tax exempts tea from local interference, but other cargo is taxed and taxed again. Valuable cargo is heavily escorted notwithstanding soldier guards every half stage. Buildings and people seem down at the heels and out of repair.

Top of First Pass— Foot Second Pass : Dry led hills and slopes planted to wheat, corn, potatoes, beans, walnuts, wha chiao (flower pepper), and fruits. Pure Chinese in moderate circumstances in fields with families and cattle.

Foot— Top of Second Pass: Few and poor crops, few people, steep slopes, plenty of rain that passed over the top of the first rain screen, plants in profusion and in numerous varieties.

Second Pass Top— Tachienlu: Down slopes and up vallevs; down into dry belt and up into the bottom of the third rain screen ; steep talus slopes, dry crops of beans, potatoes, corn, wheat, wha chiao, walnuts, fruits, cactus, Families of Chinese with stains of local blood farm the valleys and tribal folk farm the mountain sides and tops. Conifers on mountain peaks mai’k the tertiary rainscreen. The valleys have been V-shaped bv swift rivers. Plant varieties and numbers increase.

T a c h i e n l c : The i;Sec-port” of the Tibetans. Probably more men and women of the high plateaux gather at this port than at anv other place in or around Tibet, save at Lhassa. Here thev see the Far East, sell a little and buy more, especially tea. Now that this place is no longer a sure market for their goods, they must sell elsewhere and bring rupees, for tea. The tea, now repacked into rawhide bales, is loaded onto yak the next morning, and the caravan is off to the higher grasslands. The Chinese family-companies that see the tea from the bush, growing on the Yachow rainscreen, to the yak caravan on the snowscreen at Tachienlu is comparable to S o c o n y that takes oil out of the ground of one continent and lays it down in tins in Chinese junks on the Yangtse. ( T o get the full force of the comparison, travel with an exiled agent on a down river steamer, and then walk with a scion of the ‘-house’’ on his way to serve his apprenticeship at Tibetan language study and business for a period of seven years in the Tachienlu branch.) Lama, Buddhist, Catholic. Protestant places of worship are wedged into this town of tea freight-yards and caravanseries. English, French, Chinese, Tibetan, and tribal language are heard in this polyglot town of the Tibetan Border. (Politically speaking this is not the Border ; phvsiographically speaking, Tibet begins not manv miles from Tachienlu.) Here the Chinese hold


undisputed sway, and the Tibetan is guest and on his good behavior.

Tachienlu— Top of Third Pass: V Valleys of one-time glaciers replace the V-Valleys of river erosion. A few crops like potatoes, wheat, barley grow far below the 8 + li pass. Chinese-native farmers occupy this territory. Rhododendrons grow in marvelous variety and beauty. Plowers, trees, shrubs that are claimed in the north of North America as native are growing here in prodigality. On the Third Rain Screen (Snow Screen), man and animal does cot pause nor tarry if still alive and able to push on.

Third Pass— An Yan Pa : Posts-glacial meadows flanked bv rounded mountains slope down to lower altitudes beyond the pass. Here the yak caravans halt and graze before taking their leisurely way out into and onto their own land. Here in more favored spots, “ In Between Folk”, neither Chinese nor Tibetan live in stone houses, and raise scattered crops of barlev and wheat and cross-breed yak and cattle. These are people who can say “No” to neither the Chinese, nor to the Tibetans : they leave grazing land for the Tibetans, and they furnish ulag for the Chinese on command.

T h e D oor : The “ Door” is one way out or into Tibet, whence and whither, bumping, winding streams of yak do roam, graze, camp and travel with their masters, the “ high livers” , the Tibetans.

Impressions :1. The first impression of this trip is that the man who

is not on important business bent, or upon intriguing scientific quest, or upon Christian mission imperative, has “ no business’’ in this part of the world.

2. Nature has here thrown up barriers in at least threefold cross-corrugations so that szechuan has been protected against protracted interference from above, and Tibet has been protected against persistent, insistent, consistent and consecutive interference from below.

3. Plants are vertically stratified, and the plain-slope- plateau presents a seried herbarium from the equator to the pole and contains specimens that were held as peculiar to another continent in the late century.

4. Peoples are separated by altitude, topography and climate ; and the horizontal thrust and give-and-take of peoples have resulted in the vertical stratification of divers people upon the eastern edge of the Tibetan massif-


5. No matter what the status quo of Tachienlu was in the vear A. D. 1911, the status quo of the summer of 1926 is tea,- trade in tea. This is the raison d'aire for Tachienlu’sexistance today. If the swarthy nomad should break his tea pot, Tachienlu would become as a tale that is told : but no danger, the pot and habit and town are as unbreakable as a Tibetan teapot.

6. Trade—trade in tea--brings two peoples of diverse culture and civilization together on the mart in ephemera] contact. Some few remain for a week and a handful sojourn for a longer time, but there is little cultural, social, or religious impression made upon lavity or lama. The Boston Tea Party, the Canton tea and the Tibetan tea connote a different language than the amenities and the nonentities of pink tea and mere social contact.

7. Tachienlu and the Yachow— Tachienlu Route have been more than trade route and trade center. Architecture and grave stones, temple and monument, occasional]y-unearthed- relics and visible symbol more than suggest a past, they speak of pomp and of tinsel, of gifts and of peoples bearing gifts, of ambans and of ambassadors, of an artificial and political sovereignity that was other than now is.

8. Race admixture takes place on the frontier, whether it be at Tachienlu, or Nankeo, or Canton, or Shanghai. A few native women are incorporated into the blood stream, but men seldom if ever, While the Chinese soldiers and traders move, the women seldem do. The net result is a somewhat tainted Chinese blood, but Chinese.

9. Here is a more or less typical outward thrust of Chinese culture and civilization that has made its way (as has every extension of the Chinese since they left their mother’s knee, the Knee of the Yellow River, those centuries ago) by a centrifugal, peripheral inclusion and blood incorporation. Such Topsv-growth may be unpremeditated, it maybe unwitting, but it is nevertheless actual and real.

10. Tachienlu may never have been the main front door, but it has not always been the back door of China. It was only yesterday that Canton became the front door, and today •it is Shanghai that has that notorius position.

11. In these days of self-examination of peoples, of mutual recrimination of races and nations, it might be well to study the Shanghai impasse from New York, or Marseilles, or Kobe, or London, or even Tachienlu. There are parallels. A little night lamp in Tachienlu may be as useful as a great limelight on Shanghai.

12. Contacts—social, educational, cultural, yes, business contacts must be taken cognizance of and utilized if Christianity is to be advanced in the world. The Christianization of Tibet via Tachienlu may leave something to be desired, but here is one of the best and most promising fields for work among the Tibetans of which I have knowledge.

13. The last and abiding impression is that Tachienlu is peculiarly fortunate in her missionory type or types, for they have vision to see their opportunities, courage to face their tasks, and cheer to live and propagate their Gospel.

D . S. D y e .


THE UNIVERSITY SUMMER BIBLE SCHOOL 1926.

The University Summer Bible School opened on June 28th, and closed on July 26th. Announcements had been sent to the churches within a radius of five hundred li from Chengtu, inviting students from the ranks of church workers and prominent la}- leaders. As a result of the advertisement one hundred and ten registered of whom twenty-four were women.

Fortunately the weather was cool throughout the period of the school and the campus proved an ideal place with its broad playgrounds and commodious buildings. Instruction was given on different phases of the Christian Religion and inspirational addresses were delivered each evening of the week, while the Sunday services proved to be a source of uplift and strength. It is difficult to estimate the results of the school, but we believe that one hundred and ten Christians studying together under such pleasant conditions must return to their respective districts, with renewed interest ana faith in the Christian purpose and message.

The success of such an enterprise depends on good leadership and in Donald Fay and Lincoln Chang we have a combination which for such a purpose would be hard to surpass in the Christian Church in China. The^e men have in this way touched the whole church in these districts and we trust have given new impetus and inspiration to our Christian workers. This school is a necessary part of the Church's program in West China.


BATANG LETTER

Batang, July 19, 1926.D e a r D r . T a y l o k :

It has been over a vear since we were enjoying your hospitality in Chengtu. In fact a vear ago tomorrow we weriv met by robbers near Ma Li Chang this side of Yachow and relieved of some of our things. They took mostly what belonged to the natives of our party, however, and Dr. Hardy lost little and I less.

Most of the people may be interested in our experience with the four months old calf which we started with and the yearling bull. The calf was taken down to Kiating with the larger bull on a boat. Then the bull walked up to Yachow in about ten davs. The calf came up on the raft with our goods in two weeks. After the rest at Yachow the bull made it to Tatsienlu in two weeks. He had kept up pretty well in the beginning but got sore feet. The calf was carried in a “ chair” by four men. It consisted of a large box with a small manger in the front. He sure created quite a sensation along the way as we were told that we could buy a small calf like him in any of the villages through which we passed for a few hundred cash. By and by people began to think that he was a monstrosity, having two heads, three tails or six legs. We feel that we could have made some of his expenses by charging admission to see him. At the C.I.M. compound at Tatsienlu where we were staying crowds collected every day to watch his every movement until thev finally decided that he was about like any other calf and we were crazy. As to the calf himself he was 15-16s foreign animal and recommended highly by Mr. Dickinson who sold him to us. He was certainly a loveable fellow and would follow me about like a dog. He had soon learned to eat a mixture of grain and plenty of grass and refused the milk which we offered him as he evidently thought that a calf old enough to have a chair of his own was to old to drink milk. When we left Tatsienlu we thought be was old enough to walk, if we went slowly with him, and as there were no stone roads. He got to Litang with the other bull alright and rested several

THE WEST CHINA. MISSION All Y NEWS

days. Two days out of Litang was the last we saw of him, however, as they said he was weak and could not make the stage and would come on later. He did, that is, his head reached me in Batang after he had died about two days out in the Mao YTa Plain. I he big bull whom we called John Secundus because we bought him from John Muir and his father was Secuuaus, arrived in Batang a little foot sore but in good shape otherwise. He served two of our half breed cows in Batang, onlv about 6 weeks he was stolen and as they stole mv large copper kettle at the same time to boil him in we do not expect to ever see him again. One of the half-cows which he served did not take and the other belonging to Mr. Ogden was stolen about a month after John departed this life. We are not discouraged and will try it over the next time we can.

Another importation of Dr. Hardy and myself was Mr. Dai, graduate of the Middle School at Chengtu. He taught here in our nevdv organized and just beginning Middle school this vear but owing to a change in his family affairs he found it was again possible for him to return to Chengtu for his further education. He left with Dr. Hardy and his family on June second.

That leads to some more recent occurences here. Dr. Hardy and his family left here for furlough to go via Tatsienlu to the coast. They are sadly missed in every way as any one knows who has become acquainted with either Dr. or Mrs. Hardv. On May 28 we had a banquet in their honor here and it was by far the “ swellest event” ever in Batang. To vou people who have nice affairs ever once in a while it might not have seemed so “ swell” but to us out here where things don’t happen every day to break the monotony of life little matters like that mean much. I am sure that Dr. and Mrs. Hardy understood we did the best we could to show them the appreciation we felt for their 15 years of service here. We are only sorry that as matters stand they may not be able to return to Batang and the prospects of our being able to get them to Chengtu to represent this Mission look poor.

Dr. Hardv was able to leave because of the arrival of Dr. Bare together with his wife and baby on March 17. when Mr. and Mrs. R. A. MacLeod and three children returned to the field, Dr. Bare is from the Nebraska State Medical School as like wise are Drs. W ebb at ̂achow (Baptist) and Gentry of Chungking (Methodist). To my knowledge after meeting the other two men and living in the same house with Dr. Bare for four months, if Nebraska has any more like them send them on— thev are just the kind we need in West China.

We are all suffering with malaria here at present. Dr. Bare has just been in bed four days with it and we all have to take great quantities of quinine, so much in fact, that I have just sent a rush order to Cnengtu to see if they can't send us some right away.

The country round about seems about as peaceful as ever. There is to be a great “ pow wow” up here soon between the big Lamas of this part of the country and the Chinese officials to see what can be done about the robbers, etc.

Dr. E. I. Osgood of our China Mission who has spent about 25 years in China, mostly at Chu Chow, came in with MacLeods and went out with Hardys. He was sent by outboard to look over the field and assist in a general way with some of our problems here.

We are at present in the midst of the barlev and wheat harvest which promises to be much better than last vear. As the harvest is everything here it is to hoped that it will bring a little more peace and prosperity. When in a starving condition we cannot be too severe with people, who steal to keep their bodies and souls together.

Sincerely your?,R . A. P e t e r s o n

28 TH E W E ST C H IN A M ISSIO N A R Y N E W S

TUNGJEN, KWEICHOW

During 1925 Jungjen was not affected by the political disturbances and discussions down river. Inquiries were made as to whether there were any British subjects here, when told that there were not we heard no more about the matter. If the abolition of extraterritoriality means that we are to be placed on the same footing with Chinese then missionary work would no doubt have to be given up here. Why? During the past three years we have had very little government here with the exception of fleecing the people and executions, robber attacks and change of military as well as civil officials. In the fall of1922 Tungjen was quite a commercial city; in April 1923 the Kweichow troops were driven out by the ex-bandits from Yunnan. For almost two years we had what were called “ Southern”

T H E W EST CHN A M ISSIO N A R Y N E W S 29

troops. When they first came the city was looted quite clean, and from time to time heavy taxes were levied by the military; from $50,000.00 to $300,000.00 would be collected at one time. Of course threats to burn the city always accompanied the levying of taxes and the money would be raised bv certain dates. In January 1925 we were told the Kweichow troops had come back, since then we have had so many changes, former Kweichow, Yunnan, Hunan and Szechwan troops, that the missionaries have quit asking what troops are here. Every time the military changes there is a change in civil officials. Since April, 1923, there have been no less than eight battles, this does not include all the robber attacks. The city is just about bankrupt. In1923 there was money and the military has taken it, now when they want money they imprison one of the one-time wealthy men, holding him until from ,$500.00 to $2,000.00 is raised. They even kidnap babes in their endeavors to get money In almost every instance troops leaving and entering thecitv loot. Last summer a man named Hsie tried to force an issue of paper money that had absolutely no backing from the people. They rose up in arms with the assistance of nearby tuans but were defeated. Everybody that was known to have taken part in the attack against the military was ruthlessly executed if caught and their bodies thrown out at the river front to rot. Tungjen has suffered much the past three years but this was the most gruesome, most heartless experience of all. About ten da vs ofter this slaughtering, the military man with his troops went to other parts. The soldiers are billeted in the homes and appropriate anything they see or happen to need, even to the taking of food from needy people. The missionaries read everything they can get on this abolition question but as vet do not have a clear understanding of just what it will mean. If it means that they are to be treated as the Chinese are treated, their homes and properties used as barracks, taxes to be levied on their properties by the military every time they collect from the people, their homes to be looted by incoming and outgoing troops, etc., etc., then that would mean giving up the work that thev so long to do for these interior fo lk .' There would be no other recourse. Appeal for help locally would amount to nothing. “ A reign of terror” is a strong term but it just about tells what the people of Tungjen and surrounding com munitv have had the past three years. And now comes the rice famine that threatens to be very severe, Rice is now $13.00 a dan. During all this time the missionaries have not been unduly molested. They have had anxious times but have been able to carry on their work. Dr. Schmalzried spent over five weeks

30 T H E W E S T C H IN A M IS S IO N A R Y N E W S

in a robber camp in 1923. Afc times the missionaries have not been allowed outside the city, wall because of bandit conditions but be said it the credit of our local people, as well as the many regimes of military men, that they have been kindly disposed toward the foreigner in their city with but few exceptions.

— The Chinese Recorder.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN TU RKEY

The questions that are being raised in the American Board work in China are somewhat similar to the problems the American Board is facing in Turkey where the law prevents the teaching of religion in a recognized school, and all schools must be recognised by. the Government. There can be religious conversations and religious teaching outside of school hours, but buildings used and recognized as school buildings cannot be used for the purposes of worship or for religious instruction. This has led to not a little discussion and very profound consideration. I met the missionaries in Constantinople this summer, and it was the unanimous judgment of the missionaries that, dealing with Turks as we are almost primarily now in Turkey, we could make the best Christian approach to them, not through anv formula of Christianity or any public demonstration, but by the devoted Christian living of the missionaries, and especially the teachers, in their daily prolonged contact with Turkish boys and girls. The decision was that the atmosphere of the schools should be made absolutely Christian ; that the principles of the schools should be fundamentally Christian ; that any deviation from these principles should be punished and, if persisted in, expulsion should follow. It is an interesting fact that although this law has been in effect but a short time, Turkish boys and girls are asking questions about religion to such an extent in some schools that the missionaries in charge are embarrassed for fear that in answering these questions they will expose themselves to the charge of teaching Christianity in school hours. Therefore repeatedly they have asked the pupils, in order to save time in the classroom, to bring their questions to them after school. There is no law against personal conversation, and the missionaries, so far as I was able to sense, were absolutely

T H E W E S T C H IN A M ISSIO N A R Y N E W S 31

united in the conviction that in this way opposition to Christianity was being completely disarmed and the inquiring mind of they young Turk was full of questions of religion.

Another feature of this regulation is that M ohammedanism cannot be taught in the Turkish schools. The old hodjas are practically ruled out, and they were the conservative, fanatical element among the Turks.

Therefore, so far as Turkey is concerned, the American Board and the Woman’s Boards have taken the ground that mission schools in Turkey, under the regulation that no religion whatever can be taught in the schools, can be continued and maintained as effective Christian forces, probably no less effective. many think much more so, because there is no ritual of C hristianity practised in the schools which whenever practised among Mohammedans stirs up their opposition and creates a spirit of resentment.

We are facing something of the same question iD Mexico. The new Const itution of Mexico, which has not yet been enacted into law, may precipitate the question of religion in the schools, but as yet it has not been so precipitated.

I am wondering if in China it may not be even to the advantage of the Christian schools to have everything put upon the voluntary basis. Under those conditions it may seem wise to limit the number of public services, keeping the Christian element in the ascendant, not allowing the non-Christian element to dominate a school by putting emphasis upon the spirit of devotion in the teaching staff reducing to the minimum, if not completely eliminating, non-Christian teachers so that the entire atmosphere of the school should be the atmosphere of Christianity touching every part of the life of the entire institution.— Chinese Recorder.

J a m e s L. B a r t o n .

“ W HAT A PERSONAL FRIEND W’ E HAVE IN JESUS !”

O ne of the happiest things in life is to make friends. It is also one of the most difficult things. The power to make friends is therefore the great test of a man. One can be satisfied all his life if he can only gain one friend.

32 T H E W EST CH IN A M ISSIO N A R Y N E W S

When he finds that friend, he is just like a merchant finding—

(<x) The Hidden Treasure. When he finds it, he hides it and for joy thereof goes and sells all that he has and buys that Treasure.

(b) The Pearl of Great Price. When he finds it he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.

I have been seeking for such a friend in whom I can be satisfied all in all. I want to have such a friend whose character is such that I can worship and admire, whose power is such that I can always depend. I want such a friend who is so absolutely

(1) P u r e that He demands that every thought of his friend be pure, that His own face shines as the sun and Hi^ raiment is white as the light. Before Him I can think no mean thought. In His presence I feel I am pure and true. With Him I live altogether on a higher plane. When I see Him, I see G o d .

( 2 ) H o n e s t (or true) that He would reveal the absolute difficulty of following Him to the man who wants to become His disciple, though He very badly wants men to follow Him : that even the most high Go» praise Him by saying “ This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased ; Hear Ye Him” . It is He whom we are going to hear and trust. He is our R.ock and sure foundation. In the turmoil and clash of this Rennascence, with i t s hesitations, its doubt-s, its fears, its conflicting voices, I am to hear Him because He is so thoroughly trustworthy. He is truth. In H i m there is no shadow of any unreal thing. He is the great reality. If all the world cheats me He can mot. He is more sure than my own heart. He is the solid Rock beneath all. He is so honest that He always is sure of what He says. ,

(?>) Tlx s e l f i s h that He never thinks of Himself. He lives the life which is always beyond and above. He lives to do the Father's Will and not His own. He makes Himself of no reputation for the sake of saving me. He simply puts Himself in mv place and comforts me and adapts Himself to me. He goes on with endless trouble to correct me and to teach me. He denies Himself for His friend until He dies for me. He risks all sorts of danger in doing good to me. He dies for me that I may live.

(4) L o v in g that I can’t describe Him. He loves me more than my father or mother or wife. He so loves me that every thought of Him is a great joy to me. In His name alone I find my fullest satisfaction and joy. He so loves me that I cannot but love the members of my family, my friends and even my

enemy. He so loves me that He gives Himself for me and enables me to live, yet not. me but my Friend in me. He so loves me that He gives a value to me, enables me to feel that mv life is worth while and full of meaning. He so loves me that I want to be with Him not only now but forever. He so loves me that He gives me hope and strength in all mv struggles with sin, the flesh and the world. He so loves me that He makes me ashamed of myself that I am not living the life that He expects me to live. He so loves me that I want to forsake all and follow Him. He so loves me that I cannot stop fighting against evil until I can live such a life as will be pleasing to Him and can get near to Him. He so loves me that He is mv onlv motive in life.

In such a Friend, I find my ideal (or real) self. This is I find what I want to be in my best moments and whatmv Father wants me to be. Yea ! 1 find the ideal for every man !

Whether in trouble or in joy I want this Friend. Whether in school or in society I enjoy this Friend. Whether in poverty or in wealth I feel satisfied with mv Friend. Whether I am alone or in company, my Friend is still with me. In day-time and in the mid-night He is equally near me. No matter what danger I may be in His loving hand is always upon me. Yea, though I walk through the \allev of the shaddow of death 1 will fear no evil for my dear Friend is with me. Even when I am in the deep waters of sin my Friend still helps me. When lam in mv greatest temptation mv Friend’s still small voice is still heard by me.

Walking together with such a Friend I know how to live. and serve. Having the presence of such a Friend I feel myself great, I feel myself in tune with all men, with the world, yea ! even with the very stones about me.

How beautiful it is have such a Friend! How inspiring it is to live with such a Friend ! In this Friend I live and 1 die. Yea ! and I live forever !! !

Is it not wonderful and worthwhile to find and to have such a Friend? Let me introduce Him to you: This Friend is Jesus.

______ T H E W EST CH NA MISSIONARY N E W S 33

C. T. S o x g .

34 T H E W EST CHINA M ISSIO N A R Y N E W S

MISS SARA BRACK BILL.A n A p p r e c i a t i o n .

On June 26th, 1926, in Toronto, Canada, after a short illness, there passed to her reward, oi:e of the first missionaries appointed by our Woman’s Missionary Society to Szechuan. In Miss Brackbill’s homegoining, not only has the W.M.S. lost a valued worker, but those who were privileged to know and love her now mourn the loss of a sincere and trusted friend.

Miss Sara Brackbill with Dr. Retta Gifford came to Szechuan in 1893. Though compelled to leave because of the riots of 1895, they returned within a year and Miss Brackbill set about opening a school for Chinese girls. Though the beginnings were small, and at first the work was slow, yet gradually the people learned to trust their daughters to her care. Ere long the first humble school quaters were outgrown and a large new brick building was erected to meet the increased needs of the work. To the pupils in this school she gave a wealth of devoted service until her retirement from the mission field in 1914. The result of her labor of love is seen in the life of many a Christian girl today. As far as possible she kept in touch with her pupils when they went from her into a world which was. to say the least, unfriendly to their faith, and so was often able to encourage and help them. She always believed in her girls, being ever ready to excuse their faults and to overlook their shortcomings. Her confidence in their future faithfulness seemed never to be shaken by any present immaturity of discipleship. With Paul she could say, ‘ ‘Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ/’ A recent letter from the orphan girl who was the object of Miss Brackbill’s care in a special manner, contains this sentence : “ I shall always keep June 26th as a memorial day for Miss Brackoill in memory of her love and kindness to me.”

Aside from her school and her girls Miss Brackbill had many interests She was associated with those who in the eai-ly days of missionary effort in Szechuan had a vision of union in educational work and did her share in the task of bringing into being the West China Christian Educational Union, and also the Union Normal School for Young Women. She liked people and manifested a kindly interest in their work; and this characteristic won her a host of friends. She read widely and kept herself informed on current topics and events. If a

T H E W EST C H IN A M ISSIO N A R Y N E W S 35

renowned speaker came to town. Miss Brackbill was certain to hear him. She shared in many departments of church and social service work, for age had the faculty of keeping in touch with worth-while things of life. She travelled much and gathered a store of interesting and useful information of other lands and ocher peoples.

Miss Brackbiii’s retirement £rom the mission field did not meau cessation of work, for in the homeland she labored untiringly and with all her wonted enthusiasm in the interests of the work. She rejoiced in the union of the three great churches of Canada, believing that the United Church would be able to render a larger and more efficient service to our common Lord and Saviour; and she looked forward confidently to the day when “ the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of our God and His Christ.'-’

One cannot think of her as retiring from her labors. Nav rather, is her energy directed into wider and more glorious fields of usefulness, where her cheery optimism has fuller scope and where she iovouslv serves in newness of life.

U F S.

MRS. W. E. SIBLEY.A n A p p r e c i a t i o n .

“ For I am now readv to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

As Paul the martyr so fittingly wrote these words nearly two thousand years ago so today we realize that they are most applicable to her who has gone from our midst, for if it is that God required a martyr for the furtherance of His Kingdom in this land at this time He could not have chosen one whose life was more complete, more finished than that of Mrs. Sibley.

Efficiency was one of Mrs. Sibley’s chief characteristics. Whatever she did was done to the best of her ability and her best was “ good” . She had a keen sense of her responsibilities whether in the home, community or church life and a conscience which made it impossible for her to neglect any duty, distasteful tho it might be. Procrastination was not in the vocabulary of her daily life. Any day she could have said “ I have finished my course” . Just how unstintingly Mrs. Sibley gave of herself to the work she loved and felt called of God to do is best known

36 T H E W E S T C H IN A M ISSIO N A R Y N E W S

to those of us who lived with her and who watched with ever increasing admiration and wonder her unwavering devotion to the women and girls of Junghsien.

But it is not in the mere accomplishment of works that one contributes most greatly to the world, and in our memory of Mrs. Sibley it is not the fact of splendid work done which will keep her ever dear to us but the fact of what she was in her own personal life. It was our privilege, and I mean that word in no shallow sense, to live in the same small community with Mrs. Sibley since the year 1918 with the exception of our furloughs, and during that time of increasingly intimate fellowship with her I learned with growing respect and admiration and love somewhat of the sterling worth of her character. To me she was ever a source of inspiration and strength. Her faith in her fellow-missionaries and her sympathetic understanding of human frailties was one of her lovely qualities. She had no place in her life for petty gossip or faultfinding. One could not be small or mean in her presence. If I were asked which was her most outstanding quality I should unheasitatinglv say her ability to love, and along with it, to forgive.

No human being is perfect and we would not wish to imply that Mrs. Sibley was perfect but her faults were so insignificant that only a petty soul could or would have dwelt upon them and now that she has gone from us it is not easy to remember them. We seem to be able to recall only those great qualities of heart and mind that one finds in every strong, vigorous Christian character.

NEWS NOTES

Chungking News—Prince George, youngest son of King George, accompanied

by the Rear Admiral Cameron of the Navy, arrived in Chungking Monday noon, July fifth, on a tour of inspection of the gun-boats. In the afternoon, the party attended the Fourth of July celebration, held at the Friends’ High School for a short while. A dinner was held that evening at the Club followed by a reception to which everyone was invited.

The British Chamber of Commerce gave a tea in honor of the Prince and Admiral, on Wednesday afternoon at Wen Feng Ta, to which the entire community was invited. The Admiral left Thursday July eighth for Suifu, the Prince remaining here until he returned.

The American Community held a Fourth of Julv celebration Monday afternoon, July fifth, at Wen Feng Ta. All foreigners in the city were invited and about a hundred were present. At three-thirty a baseball game was held between the sailors of the American gun-boat, the "Monocacv” and the civilians, which the sailors won by a score of twelve to two. Childrens’ races, followed and then supper was served. A display of fire-works bv the sailors closed a pleasant and enjoyable afternoon.

On Wednesday Afternoon, June ninth, the Chungking Missionary Association met at the home of the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Association. The meeting was held in honor of Dr. and Mrs. McCartney who have been faithful workers in this city for thirty-five years. Following an interesting talk on “‘Summer Astronomy’" by M r. Peat which had been postponed from the last meeting, Dr. Sheridan in a few well chosen words presented to Dr. and Mrs. McCartney a booklet, in which was expressed the appreciation of the community for the many years of service which the McCartneys have so freely and efficiently given in this city. Probably no one has done more to teach Christian principles and bring about the uplift of humanity in Chungking than this worthy couple and it was very fitting that they should be honored in some way

Practically everyone ha> moved to the hills, except the members of the China Inland Mission who will be leaving the citv next week. The bungalows were not in as bad condition as reported and everyone is happily located.

Miss Hansing, Miss Downer and Miss Pt'ahn arrived Wednesday June 30, leaving a few days later for Shanghai: from which place they will sail for America to enjoy well-earned furloughs.

Miss Irene Hutchinson arrived Saturday Juhr third and reports a very pleasant trip down river. She will occupy the Peake Bungalow on the hills, later taking over the Friends work in the city.

The Doubles’ Tennis Tournament, sponsored by the Y.M.C.A. aroused a great deal of enthusiasm. The finals have not vet been plaved but will be played very soon. Lt. Pugsley

_______ T H E W EST C H IN A M ISSIONARY N E W S 37

38 T H E W E S T C H IN A M ISSIO N A R Y N E W S

and Dr. Williams of the British gun-boat and Mr. Lu and Mr. Hsuan have won the right to play in the finals.

Mr. W. A. McCurdy was operated on June 16, at the P.U.M.C. Hospital, and is reported to be recovering very nicely Dr. Reed formerly on the teaching staff of Johns Hopkins University, who came to accompany the Roy Chapman Andrews Expedition to the Gobi Desert performed the operation. The McCurdvs will spend the remainder of the summer at Pehtaiho and will return to Chungking in the fall.

Mr. B. F. Lawrence of Suining was in the city for a week. He came down to meet his daughter, Mary who has been attending the American School in Shanghai. Harold and Chester Rape attendants of the same school have also returned to Chungking for the summer.

The Chungking Medical Association met at the home of Dr. McCartney on June 16. An interesting paper on “ Diabetes and Insulin” was read by Dr. Birks and several interesting clinical cases were presented.

Y achow—

Mr. F. N. Smith left Yachow for furlo on Monday, June twenty-first.

Commencement days are here! Ten fine lads received their Middle School diplomas. There were seventeen graduates from the Boys’ Higher Primary, and from the Girls’ Higher Primary School, ten.

On the Wednesday evening preceding the commencement program, Mr. Clark had an enjoyable time with the Middle School Graduates at a class dinner which he gave for them.

The following evening Dr. and Mrs. Webb gave the same group a fine time with games and light refreshments.

Since Mrs. Webb has been in Yachow, she has been teaching Music at the school on the hill. We enjoy very much having her on the faculty.

The party, consisting of Mr. Dye, Dr. Morse and Dr. Stevenson of Peking, who made a trip into Tatsienlu and its vicinity passed thru Yachow on Tuesday, July sixth homeward bound. Dr. Osgood,, of the United Christian Missionary Society, who has been visiting their station in Batang, came out as far as Yachow with them. Dr. Stevenson and Dr. Osgood were detained here in procuring passage to Kiating on account of excessive taxes no rafts are enroute between Kiating and Yachow.

T H E W EST C H IN A M ISSIONARY N E W S 39

B IR T H .

A n d e r s o n : A t Hweilichow, Sze., to Rev. and Mrs. A . Anderson, on June 15th, a daughter.

D E A T H .

BRACKBILL : On May 26th, at Toronto, Canada, Miss Sarah Brackbill, one time missionary of the W om an’s Missionary Society of the Canadian Methodist Church.

A G N E W : at Behliuting, Szechwan. On August 18th, 1926, Elisabeth Vivienne Marie, only child of Dr. and Mrs. R . G. Agnew, United Church of Canada, W est China Mission, Chengtu. A g e d eighteen months. Buried at Behliuting.

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Ground’s rent Only $5.00 R e a l B a r g a i n $1,000.00

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