BIBLE CLASS CONFERENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 December 1940, Page 4

BIBLE CLASS CONFERENCE

MISSIONARY MEETING. Last evening, Sister Eileen Reid, Matron of the Presbyterian Mission Hospital at Kong Cheun, China, gave an interesting address on some of her experiences in China. Rev. A. D. Horwell presided, and extended a welcome to Sister Eileen, whom he said had been striving to carry the Gospel to the Chinese in the course of her duties as matron of the hospital.

Sister Eileen said that their compound covered an area of five acres, was about 13 miles from Canton, and was surrounded by the rice fields of the poor classes, who by reason of their ignorance, were very superstitious. She had seen an incident which had a humorous side, but was also most pathetic. During the season, so. that the devils should not harm the rice crop, a procession was held in which lanterns were carried, and this walked through the plantation carrying idols and giving incantations to frighten the devils off the place. The procession was somewhat grotesque, but it indicated the mind of the class, and it was from this that the mission workers were trying to persuade the people to secede and learn of the love of Christ. The hospital offered a great means to this end, as when once a Chinese had been in for treatment a considerable distrust and fear was removed. The people placed,great value on boy children, and were careful to guard them from the clevils. The girl, children did not> receive so much favour. Numbers of babies had been born in the hospital, and in the case of baby boys, the mother would go to a tree growing in the compound, and pluck a sprig of it and place it in the parcel of child’s clothing she had with her. The Chinese called the tree the “Jesus Tree,” by which name they recognised the hospital as a Christian institution. One happening which gratified the staff of the hospital was a message received from a guerilla chief during the war period, which was “Keep on- the work of Jesus,” by which it was realised that those fighting at least understood the value of a hospital , as a place where the sick and wounded would be properly cared for and given a chance of recovering. At one period of the war numbers of .children were placed in compounds where they were poorly fed, and through the want of cleanliness, there was much sickness, malnutrition being one of the factors. The Red Cross Society gave the hospital a large barrel of cod liver oil, for use among the sick children. The children queued-up and received their 6il, creating some amusement by going to the end of the queue and trying to get another helping, as they were extremely fond of the oil, different in this respect from most white children. When the war worked down to the Canton locality, the International Red Cross Society advised the authorities to close the hospital and remove to safety. After considering this advice and praying for guidance, the mission decided to remain where it was, and to help the people by keeping the hospital going normally. The number of out-patients was usually' about 300, and every effort was made to help them in every possible way, and many hun-i

dreds were treated and helped back to health during each year. There was a school attached to the hospital where young girls were trained to be nurses. As they had no educational background, they were started off with six months’ schooling. They were quick to learn. This period gave them something to build on, and they gradually moved on in their training till they became competent to serve in the hospital wards. A regrettable feature of life in .China to-day was the encouragement given by the Japanese to the people to fall victims to the opium habit and to gamble, both vices were making inroads into the morale of the people who fell into the trap set for them. The practice was so vicious that chocolates containing opium were made and given ,to children in the desire that they should become addicts. The Chinese did not favour either of these practices, which were adopted by the Japanese as a means to get revenue to maintain their armies in China.

The hospital was doing a great work, and was able to help so many, because the people in New Zealand had been so liberal in their gifts of money to the Mission. One penny per day was sufficient to maintain one person there; many working hard did not make more than one penny per day. There was so much to be done, because the country was so large and densely populated, and the missionary efforts so far could only touch the fringe, but they did not lose heart, but went on knowing the prayers of the Presbyterian Churches in New Zealand were offered for their success, and behind them the power of God was urging them. So much trust in God’s love w r as necessary, and they received much in answer to their prayers.

\ This morning, the Conference considered the “Sunday School at work,” and for the purpose of grading, the addresses and considerations,' divided the groups into five, from beginners up to sole teachers. This afternoon the annual sports gathering is being held when two trophies are being competed for,, the Bible Class banner for the young men, and a cup for the girls.' To-night, the Roll Call of delegates will be made when the delegates 'and others will be addressed by three of the leaders of the movement. ' / •