THE CHINESE MISSION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 85, 11 April 1902, Page 2

THE CHINESE MISSION.

k pubhe'merting in connection wit] the Wellington and West Coast Chines Mission was held in the Bishops School room last evening, when a paper wasrea< by Mr Daniel Wong, Catechist The Bishop of|Nelson presided, and then was a fair attendance. The chairman explained the object oi the meeting and certain matters ir connection with the — what hac been done on the West Coast by Mi Wong, who made his headquarters ir Wellington, devoting his time for eight months to the located there, anc for four months to those ont the Wesl Coast of this Island. As this Diocese finds the larger proportion of bis stipend, " this at first sight," said the chairman ' appears unfair, but we considered that we in this diocese should not considei the needs of the Chinese in this Diocese only, but of the Chinese as a whole, and as there are a far greater number in Wellington, so (he opportunities for Mr WoDg were largely increased. No doubt these are not quite satisfactory for several reasons, and will be further modified later on. Tho Bishop, stated that Mr Don, the Presbyterian missionary, had informed him that he had never seen such a large number of Chinese gathered at any mission so; vice in New Zealand as he did at Mr Wong's "meeting at Groyh oath last Sunday, Mr Wong then read a paper c n his work and nims. He sated that the Chinese were decreasing in numbers on the West Coast, beng now only ab:ut 550. is they are very scat t ered he can ha 76 no central station, but travels) from place to place to visit hie countrymen. ' In Grey mouth he has a class to (each the Chinpse to read the Scriptures in English and this is well attended, as the Chinese desire to learn English, as they recognise its value in business. Mr Wong speaks highly of the inl^root taken in the work and practical help given by the Key G. York, of Grey mouth. Mr Won<? described tho idolatry, superstition, and vice of the Chinese, which he found much worae and harder to deal with amorg those living in VVelUngton than on the Coast, •kfter giving examples of the misery arising from the debasing vices of the Chinese, he told of the difficulties of reaching the hearts of his countrymen. He gave, however, gome few encouraging results of his work, and in conclusion Mr Wong earnestlj appealed to his hearers fco assist him in his work, not only by money,, but by constant prayer, that he may be U3ed to bring many of his countrymen to the knowledge of Christ, not only for their own good, but.that they, in their turn, may carry the good tidings to their countrymen in China. At Ihe cose of Mr Wong's paper, the Rev E. C. Eobison gave some very interesting details of the work among the Chinese in the dicc3so of Sydney, where the work has been taken over from the ' Board of Missions by the Church Missionary A-ssncjatiop, who bad largely extended the tvork, They have a Chinese clergyman, the Itev Poo Hoo Ten, ard nnderhiin as catechists Charles A . Young at Twnut, John Choong Lee at Botany Matthew Ching Chong at Bathursf, an d l.eonjr Bong at Hay, all doincr good work. Mr Robison considered that (he most successful method of mission work was to utilise native converts instead of Europeans as evangelists. The Bishop, at tho close, stated that they tvon'd require to raise something like .£lOO towards Mr Wongs expenses, and he appealed for help, Subscriptions could be sent to Mr Kingsley, Dlcoesan Treasurer, to Mrs Mackio, or to any of the clergy of the Di ccse,