DUNEDIN CHINESE CHURCH

Evening Star, Issue 12365, 1 December 1904, Page 8

DUNEDIN CHINESE CHURCH

SOCIAL GATHERING. Japan’s great statesman. Marquis Ito, says regarding his country’s indebtedness to missions: “Japan's progress and development are largely due to the influence of missionaries exerted in right directions when Japan was first studying the outer world.” Dr Henry Van Dyke’s famous rhyme is not always true of earth's fame, but it applies to every record of Heaven: ” Four things a man must learn to do If he womd make his record true: To think without confusion clearly. To love his reliowman sincerely, To aot from honest motives purely, To trust in God and Heaven securely.” From Dr John Dudgeon we learn that Protestant missionaries were not heard of in 'China until the beginning of last century, when Dr Robert Morrison and his colleagues got their first footing in China. Now the Flowery Land is open to the world, and, Lke a vast network, missionaries, native and foreign, men and women, are entering in thousands at every open door in obedience to what the Christian world calls the divine marching orders: “Go ye into all the world.” To the question “ Will the Chinese become a Christian people?” Dr Dudgeon replied: “ I believe it. The civilisation that half the Powers would introduce is the civilisation of selfishness. Railways are not everything, and will not take tbs place of mental and moral training. V/e are upsetting the ideas of the CMnese and not giving them anything in their place. The only influence that can counteract the evil effects of a breaking away from old restraints and abandonment of old beliefs is the civilisation of Christianity. It is the only hope for China.” The population of the world to-day is somewhere about Of these nearly 800,000,000 are heathen. So far as general missions are concerned, there is a consensus of opinion that only the outer fringe of the heathen world has been touched. New Zealand, with its limited population, has sent to India, to China, South America, and thr islands of the sea a large number (corapa—xt;vely, at least) of educated and consecrated men and women, and many others are now preparing to carry the light of the Gospel to “the regions beyond.” The missionary meeting held last evening in the Dunedin Chinese Church was large and enthusiastic. In years pagt the numbers of Europeans were so great as to crowd the bright little church, to chi? exclusion almost of the Chinese. On this occasion only those who were ticket-holders were expected to attend. The Rev. A. Don, the indefatigable missionary, who works in and around Dunedin and throughout Otago, and his colleagues (Revs. T. Loie and W. Chan) must have been gratified to see so many Chinamen and European friends present. After tea, the Rev. James Chisholm, in the absence of the Rev, W. Hewitson, took the chair, and was supported on the platform by the Revs. Don, Loie, Chan, R. R. M. Sutherland, and Messrs George Reid, D. Wright, A. C. Begg, Lo Keong, and Mrs Lode. Excellent addresses of welcome were given by the chairman, Air J. Reid, Mr Chan, Air Sutherland, Mr Don, and Mr Loie. The two Chinese ministers spoke in their own language to their countrymen, and also in broken but interesting English to the Europeans, and it was quite evident that both were eloquent and whole-hearted men. Moat of the speakers called attention to the fact that on the platform was seated the Rev. Mr Loie’s young bride, and that she had left in her native land father, mother, six brothers, and three sisters to assist her partner in life in the prosecution of his needful mission to his countrymen in New Zealand. The reception was moat hearty. Onlookers loot night were taught to know that ChinaT 7 ’ or ' Unv<» a sense of humor and know how to give lusty cheers to their benefactors. Airs Don accompanied on the organ, as usual, and sang a sacred song most acceptably. The Chinese choir sang ‘ Holy, holy, holy ’ intelligently and reverently., Miss Amy Don gave a recitation. A comprehensive vote of thanks to all helpers was proposed by Air W. H. Adams, and carried by acclamation. The Rev. Mr Loie brought from China good tidings and greetings from the Revs. MNeur and Mawson, both Otago men, who have given their lives for service in the foreign land. In a week or two Mr Loie hopes to visit several places in the North Island, and later on he will find his way to the West Coast of the Middle Island, and labor amongst his countrymen there for a time.