"Non-national Context" And The Nationalist Appeal

Shantung is the "Sacred Province" of China. Cheeloo University was the only one Christian University in the history of Shantung and was the first modern university of China. The special status of this province, as the hometown of Confucius and Mencius, attracted a lot of missionaries and missions, so Cheeloo University was also a Christian University with most co-operative missions. Facing the challenges of nationalism, Cheeloo University became more Sinicization, just like other Christian Universities. But the Chinese goal of Cheeloo was far from being achieved. The duplication of administration of Cheeloo University weakened the power of Chinese administrative staff. In fact, the Chinese Presidents of this University had long been absent while the Western Associate President had been at the helm. The fund of this university came mainly from overseas. The Christian spirit of Cheeloo University changed little. Then a "Non-national context" quite different from public university appeared in the university. The "Non-national context" refers to a special space that established in the local, while its managers are foreigners and its animus is from overseas. In short, it is a special arena full of exotic elements.In the "Non-national context" such as Cheeloo University, the proportion of Christian in the students was always considerably high, and the main feature of the graduates’ professions was Christian spirit of service, which made the University maintain strong a religious character. The purposes and activities of the colorful, numerous student organizations reflect that the students of Cheeloo University did not lack attention on politics and pursuit of freedom and democracy. These organizations had a high degree of interest on studying political and social problem, showing that the students concerned about the national safety and the future of the country. However, the patriotism in Cheeloo were expressed mainly inform of theoretical discussions and learning aiming to find salvation from the knowledge, rather than blind street protests. The students’spirit of rationality and self-questioning in response to the actual politics was well revealed is several students movements from the foundation of the university to the Anti-Japanese war. The characteristics of Cheeloo university students’nationalism were alienation from actual politics, anti-imperialism and anti-aggression but not anti-Christ, to maintain his alma mater, rationality and heart-searching. That is "the pursuit of actual" and "shame for the shout slogans." The patriotic way of Cheeloo University’s students was ressonable.