On January 4, 1847, the 18-year-old Rong Hong followed the Browns and the Browns aboard an American sailing ship called the Huntleys at huangpu port in Guangzhou, and began their first thrilling journey.
After 98 days of roughing the ocean, the sailboat finally arrived in New York on April 12, 1847. In order to help them better adapt to local life, the Browns specially took them to their homes to learn the local language and living habits. Subsequently, Rong Hong and the other three entered The Mengsong Middle School in Massachusetts, which was also the most famous college preparatory school in the United States at that time. In this way, Rong Hong began his new life in the United States, where he also met a person who had a profound influence on him. This person is the principal of Monson Middle School, Charlie Hammon.
Monsson School, USA
According to Rong Hong, whether in classical literature or modern literature, Charlie Hammon has the ability to infect students. Under the guidance of Charlie Hammond, Rong Hong's goal for the future is clearer, and he is determined to enter the best Yale University in the United States like Charlie Hammond.
At this time, his classmate Huang Sheng had returned to China due to illness, and another classmate, Huang Kuan, went to the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom to study medicine, leaving Rong Hong alone in the United States. The funding that the Browns applied for for him was only enough to finish the preparatory school, and if he continued to study in college, he still needed a lot of money, which became Rong Hong's biggest headache at that time. So, how does he solve this problem?
Young Rong Hong
In order to solve the problem of funding for study, Rong Hong decided to realize his dream of entering Yale University through half-work and half-study. Half-work and half-reading is easy to say, and actually doing it is another matter entirely. The huge pressure to prepare for the entrance exam left Rong Hong without enough time to work to earn money, and the hard-earned money was not enough to support the high tuition fees.
Just when Rong Hong felt that he was overwhelmed and his prospects were slim, Both Mr. Brown and Principal Hammond suggested that he apply for financial aid for poor students. However, there is a condition for applying for a bursary, that is, to ensure that you will return to China after graduation to become a missionary.
Reverend Brown
In the face of this major life choice, Rong Hong, who had joined Christianity at this time, still resolutely refused. Regarding this matter, Rong Hong wrote in his memoirs "The Gradual Record of Western Learning and Eastern Learning": "For the following reasons, I must not sign. First, doing so would prevent and limit my ability to play my part. I need complete freedom of action in order to use every opportunity for China's benefit. As soon as the volunteer letter was signed, I was bound and risked missing the opportunity to work for the welfare of the country. Second, in China or other countries, evangelism is not the only profession that benefits the country. Third, an oath of this nature would prevent me from using the conditions offered by a country like China to serve it. ”
After explaining the reasons, Rong Hong did not forget to thank the funding, he wrote: "I must refuse to sign this oath, and I also refuse to accept your help to me." I am very grateful for your kindness. ”
In order to pursue his dream, Rong Hong decisively refused the strings attached to the bursary. This means that the tuition fee problem is still unresolved. Although Pastor Brown, who brought Rong Hong to the United States at this time, was disappointed by Rong Hong's decision, he did not want to see the young man's lofty ideals falter.
In the summer of 1850, Brown went south to visit his sister, and by the way visited several members of the "Women's Association" in Savannah, Georgia, and told them about Rong Hong, who admired Rong Hong's talent and ambition, and promised to unconditionally fund Rong Hong's tuition.
Yale University
Receiving this good news, Rong Hong was naturally ecstatic, and he regained his courage to devote himself to the preparation of the entrance examination. Although Rong Hong had only studied Latin for fifteen months, Twelve months in Greek, and ten months in Mathematics at that time, he was finally admitted as he wished because of his hard work. Since then, Yale University has welcomed the first Chinese student from across the ocean.
Tomorrow, please continue to pay attention to: studying on Yale's famous campus, why did Rong Hong give up his position in the United States?