China Mail , THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1888.
We have left but a limited space to comment upon the remarks made by H.E. Governor Des Voeux when presenting the prizes to the successful pupils. In a word, the Governor's speech on this occasion will, we think, be admitted to be the neatest and most appropriate utterance he has yet made in public. It was happy in expression, though well weighed and most carefully put; the manner in which he gave credit to the hoary-headed civilisation of China without admitting too much was exceedingly neat; and the way he touched upon the mission-work of mankind, without lessening one iota the claims of the greater mission of Christian work, was a bit of success in the way of putting things for which every intelligent man must give him credit. Without becoming, in a sense, a Christian preacher, the Queen's Representative (speaking to a non-Christian assembly of youths) could not well have taken higher ground than the Governor took in the impressive remarks delivered yesterday to the boys of the Central School. We congratulate him upon the tone of his address, and the School upon having been favoured with such words of wisdom.
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During the delivery of the very thoughtful and suggestive speech made by His Excellency the Governor at the distribution of prizes at the Government Central School today, the Right Rev. Bishop Burdon, who was present at the beginning, suddenly disappeared. The cause for his withdrawal, we do not know. He might have turned sick or had pressing business. As, however, his sudden exit took place after His Excellency gave utterance to the following remark, those who know the Bishop's very strong views about the work of the Government Central School are inclined to attribute it to quite a different cause: "I believe that by going out among your people in your own country, as you will no doubt do, by doing something to improve the condition in this life of your fellow-countrymen, you will become missionaries in almost, if not equally as useful a way, as those who hold out to them the hope of a happier hereafter."
why offence
According to the China Mail, Bishop John Shaw Burdon was offended by Governor Des Voeux's speech at the Government Central School, which equated secular, civil service with Christian missionary work. The Bishop perceived the equating of secular, utilitarian education with the saving of souls as a direct theological insult that marginalized the unique mission of the Christian ministry. For more details, see the analysis in the HKU Scholars Hub paper HKU Scholars Hub