十九世紀首位美籍傳教士裨治文在華教育事業與美國教育制度的引介

Abstract

本文旨在探討十九世紀首位來華美籍傳教士裨治文的教育事業，及其對引介美國教育制度的影響。本文採歷史研究法，經考證及分析一手中、英文史料後發現，裨治文在華31年間，除直接布道外，還藉翻譯聖經、出版書籍、發行報刊及設立學校來傳福音。他所撰《美理哥合省國志略》是首部美人介紹美國及其教育制度之作，廣為時人鈔引。另他在穗、澳、港、滬設立學塾，教育貧童，並倡「設學輔教」策略，起初未獲所屬美部會支持，但仍以己力募款興學。裨夫人也積極在穗、滬、京設立女塾，興學輔教。直到他病逝後，1877年在華各差會才改變態度，改支持興辦教育事業。之後，美部會擴展華北教育事業，更建立教會學校系統，故裨治文早期引介美國教育制度的先驅角色實不可忽視。

The aim of this article is to explore Rev. E. J. Bridgman and his influence ofintroducing American educational system in the nineteenth century China, who wasthe first American protestant missionary to China in 1830. This study used historicalmethod and primary sources. During his thirty-one year’s service in China, notonly he preached the gospel directly, but also translated Scriptures, published aninfluential book, A Brief Account of the United Provinces of American, and journalto introduce USA and her educational system. Besides, he established a few primaryschools at Canton, Macao, Hong Kong and Shanghai for poor children for evangelismand training native assistants. He also initiated a strategy “education as means toevangelism”, which was not recognized by the American Board in the beginning untilthe resolution made by The Shanghai Missionary Conference 1877. As the pioneerand founder for the missionary enterprise and the establishment of its mission school system of American Board later, and introducing American educational system, theirMr. Bridgman’s educational efforts should not be forgotten.