NORTH CHINA MISSION.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17815, 14 July 1923, Page 2

NORTH CHINA MISSION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The first annual meeting of the North China Mission Guild was held in St. Michael's Schoolroom last evening. The Eev. C. E. Perry presided The report of the year's work was read ami adopted. The Guild had been formed last year to support a Chinese scholarship and a cot in the North China Hospital. Nearly £24 had been forwarded during the year. Miss Overton was elected secretary. In introducing the speakers, the Rev. C. E. Perry emphasised the vital importance of China to-day. Mr H. Funnel said that about fifteen years ago it had been said that "Changing China needs the Unchanging Christ." It was true to-day more than ever before. China was changing pplitieally and intellectually. Twelve years ago the people had changed their Government and adopted a Eepublic. But this had not affect ed the people at large very much. A greater change had begun to take place when the Student Movement was established a few years ago. Schools were built and a great University was founded at Peking. This University became a nucleus of many new societies. The students emphasise! science and democracy. The scientific movement had been rather dangerous in its results, and many of the Chinese had overthrown their religions, but had adopted none in their place. They had become sceptical, and many students had started an ''Anti-Christian" movement. But the changing movements had opened many doors to Christianity. The war in China had been having a disastrous effect. It raged first in one part, and then in another. Recruiting was taking place all over ,thc country. Three armies were ravaging the northern provinces. The Chinese students were aiming at a reconstruction of society on a rational basis. There was little religion among these rational enthusiasts. Truly the ' 'Changing China" needed the "Un'changing Christ" to-day. Mr Funnel briefly referred to his own work in Szechuan. Much had been done for the evangelisation of the province by the distribution of the Gospels and other portions of the Bible. "Education," said the speaker, "cannot deliver these pepole from their idolatry and superstition. Nothing but the power of Christ can deliver them from their degradation and misery." Canon Mutter, who had just returned from China on a visit, said that China held about one-fifth of the world's population. We in New Zealand had Chinese all around us. These were principally, Confucian. Their religioii was a philosophy and consisted to a large extent in ancestor worship. What we wanted here was a Chinese mission priest. The Chinese were at our doors, and it was our duty to minister to them, so that when they returned they would be able to influence their people at home. China would,« before many years had .elapsed, become one of the greatest countries of the world. Mrs H. Funnel gave an interesting description of conditions and habits of the Chinese people in the district where she and her husband had been working. She gave an illuminating account of the work in the girls' school.. The great message from Christ was "Go ye, pray ye, give ye." All the spoakers were dressed in Chinese attire. After the addresses they 'displayed some interesting pictures, and sang several Chinese Christian hymns/ ' '