CHINESE MISSION

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1732, 10 May 1905, Page 74 (Supplement)

CHINESE MISSION

At Rush on court oil the .2nd a meeting AA'as held of persons interested in the Church of England Chinese mission. Bishop Wallis presided. Tho Rev R. Coffey (St. Mark’s) and Mr Daniel Wong (liiissioner) AA'ere amongst those present. Tho Bisbop said the number of persons present shoAved that the mission had won its AA'ay into the hearts of the people. Mr Wong informed him that more Chinese were iioav attending the mission than had been the case at any previous time. They had forty-nine to fifty-six people attending the church services, from thirty-two to thirty-five attending the Sunday school, and from tAA'enty-one to thirty attending the Wednesday classes. During the last year tho Chinese had contributed £262 for the new mission hall which AA'as to bo erected in Frederick street. In addition to this, they had contributed £sl for the generaL expenses of the mission. Perhaps it AV'ould not, ho said, be out of place to also point to the fact that the Chinese had contributed £l7O to Wellington Hospital. The work of the mission had been abundantly blessed by God; and lie hoped Mr Wong u'ould go on and continue Ills good AA'ork. None of the Chinese had yet been baptised, but lie hoped the day AA'as not far distant Avhen many of them AA'Ould.

Mr Wong then gave an interesting discourse on the AA'ork of the mission. He spoke of the educational classes, Avhere dictation, reading, and translation AA'ere taught. The industry of the Chinaman and his zeal to learn were, he said, most marked at all times. Mr Wong aLso touched on the difficulties he daily encountered in preaching the gospel. “Some time they listen to me very \A'ell,” he said; “some time they do not. Very often they dispute. One said: ‘You have bread and potatoes instead of rice, and soon Avill cut off your plait.’ Some in earnest; some iokingly speak thus. Some times you meet haters of Christians. On the AA'hole, I find they are very friendly—• except some peculiar ones. There are five Chinese women in Wellington and one at Lower Hutt. Mrs Wong visits them.” Mr Wong said they now had £SOO in hand for the new mission, hut they Avanted another £4OO or £SOO before the building could be comoleted and seating accommodation provided. He asked that the church people should assist them. A balanoe-sheet AA r as read by the Rev Mr Coffey. The report and financial statement AA'ere afterwards unanimously adopted. A motion expressing approval of Mr Wong’s AA'ork and the hope that- many churchmen A\ r ould become annual subscribers to the mission funds was also passed. Resolutions extending thanks to tlie Veil. Archdeacon Williams and others for liberal donations AA'ere also carried.