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""YOUNG MEN S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. 407"Confucius," writes one, "has long been teachingus to be in love with one another, and Christianity hasthe same object. Why is it necessary to introduce aforeign religion to take "place of our own ? "Religion,"says another, is the same in every country ;the formsalone vary in different parts of the world. China sforms are best suited to her customs." And another,"we have our religion ; why do we want to adopt aforeign one, which opposes our customs in every way?"Many men," writes still another, "connect Christianity with the foreigner and the missionary with hisforeign government they fail to recognize that the;Protestant missionaries are working independently of theministers at Peking and the Consuls sent over to Chinato protect them."Materialism, rationalism, scepticism and often atheismare given as a chief hindrance. The seed broughtin from Japan and scattered promiscuously has alreadytaken root.The hongs, banks, and other business houses ofsuch ports as Shanghai, Tientsin, and Hongkong arefilled with Chinese young men but partially preparedfor the duties which they attempt to perform. Thepressure of poverty often forcing mere lads to seekemployment the lack of educational facilities and the;displacing of China s old system of commerce by modernbusiness methods have been contributory causes to thisstate of affairs. The result is not only a serious handicap for life to the young men themselves but an enormous economic waste to society. The evening classesof the Association, therefore, to the extent that theyafford a remedy for this deficiency, become a matter ofimportance to the community.Fortunately the problem is simplified by the acutenesswith which the young men themselves feel theirlack and the eager diligence with which they pursuetheir studies when an opportunityis afforded them tolearn. The crowded classes of the evening schools of