Bulletin Vol. 8 No. 6 Jan 1972

Adam Schall and ourselves a disservice if we were to consign the example of his life to history, for the virtues of Schall could well serve as models for those in higher education today. It is said of Adam Schall that he pursued with zeal all branches of knowledge - mathematics and astronomy were but two of his many accomplishments. He had mastered more than half a dozen languages, including, of course, Chinese. He was keenly interested in Biblical studies and music, in theology and geography, just to mention a few of his academic pursuits. We still regard the educated man as the one who is familar with more than his own academic field. Many times these additional interests in theological and philosophical questions, current affairs and various aspects of the fine arts can be nurtured and encouraged through informal activities, such as those sponsored in a student hall of residence. It is intended that this Residence will provide such opportunities by lectures, discussions and occasions for informal contact with persons in various academic disciplines. Adam Schall was also noted for his readiness to turn from abstract studies to practical matters. His biographers tell how he constructed his own scientific instruments, helped build a church, and repaired musical instruments. No t only did he show that he was not above such practical tasks, they were often done in the service o f others. Living in a residents' hall can often develop great practical resourcefulness in the needs of daily living, as well as provide opportunities for helping one's neighbour in small but important ways. For those who are familiar with the details of Adam Schall's life, they know that it was not one long success story unmarred by any serious setbacks. Schall suffered from treachery of those who he thought were his friends as wel l as from those he knew were his enemies. He was imprisoned, tortured and narrowly escaped the execution of a death sentence. Yet in spite of it all, he was characterized by a generous and forgiving character and a deep loyalty to his fellow Jesuits and his Chinese friends. These virtues of loyalty and generosity are needed in a 20th century hall of residence as well as in the 17th-century city of Peking. Permeating all of Schall's extraordinary life lay another attribute which may be said to account for his courage, long suffering, loyalty and generosit y ... It was his confidence in God and a belief in the message of Christ. This led him, and generations before and after him, to leave their families and countries and go out to other people to share their knowledge and their view of life with people in all parts of the world. In this also the life of Adam Schall points to the importance of being able to share ideas with people of all cultures and of various intellectual and philosophical persuasions in an effort to come to a greater awareness of those universal values which unite men whether they be from the East or from the West, On behalf of the Roman Catholic diocese of Hong Kong we wish to thank the German bishops and their people through Bishop Hengsbach for their generous financial assistance and continued interest in the project, the University Grants Committee representing the people of Hong Kong for their co-operation in giving the land and half the cost of the building, the University and College authorities, particularly the Vice-Chancellor Dr. C.M. Li and President Cheng, for their unfailing support and encouragement throughout these years. I wish to convey my assurance of continued interest and support to the students not only of the Residence, but of the College and the entire University as they prepare by their studies here to take their place in the Hong Kong of tomorrow. (Please refer to Chinese section for President T,C. Cheng's speech and more pictures.) THE A RT G A L L E RY The Ar t Gallery forms one side of the quadrangle that is the Institute of Chinese Studies. The front doors open onto the courtyard, a successful concrete and ceramic re-interpretation of a Chinese landscaped garden with rectangular outlines punctuated by two large roughly hewn granite boulders and a dark green commemora stone tablet. A willow tree echoes in the air the movement of the fish in the pond and the ripples on the surface of the water. The slightly startling impression one gains on entering the enclosed Art Gallery from the open courtyard is that of light and space. There is, to be sure, no shortage of illumination in the Gallery. Light streams in from the glazed front doors and the two north-facing clerestoreys, and this is augmented by a number of well disposed lights of three different types in all parts of the Gallery. A feeling of space is created by dividing the 4350 sq. ft. of exhibition area into four split levels leaving a large well in the centre. But the interior finish of the Gallery, especially the white walls and the - 4 -