The Child in the Midst: A Comparative Study of Child Welfare in Christian and Non-Christian LandsPlatt, Mary Schauffler
Religion
The Child in the Midst: A Comparative Study of Child Welfare in Christian and Non-Christian Lands
Platt, Mary Schauffler
Church work with children; Missions
America 7.7 % Pop. over 10 yrs. 1910
England & Wales 1.8 % Marriage 1901-1910
German Empire 0.03% Army Recruits 1904
Ceylon (all races) 78.3 % All ages 1901
India 92.5 % Over 10 years. 1901
Cape of Good Hope
(Other than
European.) 86.2 % „ „ „ 1904
Egypt 92.7 % „ „ „ 1907
Quoting further from the Cyclopedia we learn that “in Turkey, India,
and China we find a high illiteracy among the males, and an almost
complete illiteracy among the females. The least illiteracy today is
to be found among the people in the countries to the north and west of
Europe, and of Teutonic or mixed Teutonic stock. It was in these
countries that the Protestant Revolt made its greatest headway and the
ability to read the Word of God and to participate in the church
services were regarded as of great importance for salvation.”
[Sidenote: Sir J. D. Rees on illiteracy in Asia.]
Sir J. D. Rees, an official of high position and distinction in India,
makes this significant statement in his volume on “Modern India,”
dated 1910--“While it is true that only half the boys of school-going
age were following a course of primary education when the last census
was taken, it is extremely improbable that in any other part of Asia
anything approaching that number has been ever attained, or in any
Oriental country under European control.”
[Sidenote: Education in Japan.]
Let us go back to Japan as to the one of all non-Christian lands that
has made the greatest advance along educational lines. After a visit
to Japan with many opportunities for observation and study of the
subject, Miss Kate G. Lamson says:[56]
Education for the masses has long since justified itself to the
Japanese. That education is universal and compulsory is
abundantly proved by the crowds of school children seen in every
part of the country. This naturally leads the observer to question
the need of outside help, especially missionary help, along
educational lines, and outside of two or three large centres our
Board has applied itself largely to the development of church
organization and evangelistic work. Yet the experience of years
has revealed an imperative need of the missionary even in the
ranks of education in Japan....
With schools everywhere, under an able and full staff of
instructors, with up-to-date appliances for every branch that is
to be taught, moral and religious training are not provided for,
and the well-polished husk of educated manhood and womanhood
without the inner life is the result. The dangers attending
non-religious education have not failed to make themselves
apparent to the watchful Japanese....
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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