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| From M. S. Bates to Zhang Kaiyuan： Passing the Torch of Studies on the History of Christianity in China |
| Liu Jiafeng |
| (School of Culture and History， Shandong University， Jinan 250100) |
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Abstract In the late 1980s， Prof. Zhang Kaiyuan accidentally started his research into the history of Christian colleges in China， which led to the discovery of the writings by Miner Searle Bates， founder of the history department at the University of Nanking. The contents of “Bates’ writings” are extremely rich， showing Bates’ dedication to education and academic research， justice and selfless devotion throughout his life. In his later years， Mr. Zhang devoted himself to the study of “Bates’s writings”， and successively published works on the historical documents of the Nanjing Massacre， the history of Christian colleges， and the history of Christianity in China， which aroused great response from the academia and society at home and abroad. Zhang inherited Bates’ unfinished research on the history of Christianity in China， emphasizing the significance of missionary research in “stepping outside of modern Chinese history”. His calling for “the reconstruction of human spiritual civilization” corresponds to Bates’ appeals of “peace on earth， good will to Men”， and practiced “the participation of historiography”. From Bates to Zhang， from academic pursuit to life ideal， they both embody the spirit of exploration by passing torch from one generation to the next， which deserves to be inherited and carried forward by future generations.
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Received: 25 May 2022
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2022, Vol. 61 
