DUNEDIN CHINESE CHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12991, 4 June 1904, Page 3

DUNEDIN CHINESE CHURCH.

ANNUAL SOCIAIi,

The Presbyterian Chinese Church was filled ,10 overflowing on Wednesday night, tho occasion being the "fourth anniversary of (ho Bible Class and the soventli of flic opening o£ the ohurch. Over 180 persons wore, present, of 'whom' nearly 70 were Chinese, and spent a very enjoyable throe hours—the only drawback being tho crowded' state of the building. Every point of the interior that so lent itself was tastefully decorated' with ivy and chrysanthemums; while over the platform was a richlyembroidered red silk bJiiner, with the inscription in blue, "Love mo.:&9;:y6iir£elf." This banner was flanked by a Chinese " tui" —two-antithetical couplet scrolls, splendid examples of tlie embroiderer's art. These were, worked by * Chinese, young woman who was bom at Boxbiirgh, in Otago, and now lives in China.- The inscriptions, worked in six colours of.eilk, were: ~'f shall not leave you orphans, I will come to you"; "Tho fy>rd is my Shepherd, I shall not want." , . i. ■ , The meeting began with prayer in .Chinese by the Rev. A. Don and the singing of thanks in both languages.' Thon came the tea, provided in , their usual liberal way by the members of the Bible Class, superintended by Mrs Lo Keong, wlwwas indefatigable. The. tables were attended to by Mrs Gordon Macdonald,' Mrs J. , Blackie Misses Laing, H. Don, and Jane Mawson. The tables having been , cleared , away, the congregation settled down to enjoy nearly two lioure of musio and' speech, the Rev. W. Soorgio presiding. Among the guests present were Rcv.W. Howitson, Eov. Jas Chisholm, and Mr W. H. Adams, representing the Missions Committes; Mr John Reid and Mr A. , O.Begg, of tho Ohurch Session, Mrs W. Newlands,'Eev. E, and Mrs Maekio, Mrs W. Ings, Mr aiid Mrs Grinlinir Mr and Mrs H. ''L. •'Watt, Mr Duncan Wnglit, Miss Annie Christobel | and Mr Jack Eeid. ' v "

After reading apologies for absonce from Mrs'Lindsay Mackie and Mr. John Wilkineoii, who both sent donations', Iho Chairman gave a short address, emphasising the necessity of Christianising the. Chinese to save ourselves. >■■■.■

The excellent musical programme was:— Piano solo, Misa.E. Williamson; vocal duct, ' Ttecobbler," bytvo little girls, Ivy M'Doiuicll and May Don ;■ violin solo Miss M. Dick; solo, "The better land, , : by Miss Rule; fluto solo, MrAusting; solo, "The valley by the sea'," Mrs A. Don; also two hymns, '" On!y an armour bearer" and " Precious name," given in good style by a Chinese choir. Mrs Don accompanied on the organ, and Miss Lo-'Keong' on the piano.

The address of the, evening was,' by Mr William Chan, ■ who, after a few irords in English, took up his mother-tongue, and 'spoko very earnestly to the Chinese. He detailed the method of study followed at the Bible Class, and then urged the vast importance of studying tho Bible, drawing, lessons from the Reformation, America and Spain, Japan and Russia. The Chairman remarked that anyone could ece without understanding Chinese that Mr Chan" was a born orator. ' . . ' ' r

Mr Don followed.with an outline interpretation of Mr Chan's address, and then gave tho report for the year. The congregations during the last 'three months have been the best in tho history of tho church— with averages of 43 and 29 at afternoon and evening services respectively, about 60 different men thus hearing the Gospol every Sunday. The total number of individual hearers during tho year-was. 196,'50 that the church practically provided for. tho • whole 'Chinese' population of Duncdin. The weekly Bible Class and prayer meeting have from eiglit to 12. attending. The Sunday ■ School has a number of regular pupils, with 10 teachers — all . from St. Andrew's except three. One #man had- been baptised during the year, .and three elders elected by popular vote, tho ordination of whom is'fixed for' June 12.■ The book st'oro sends parcels of books and tracts all over New Zealand and to Australia. A rnimDcr of books has been padded to tho church library, ■. which now ''-contains 21 Chinese-and 38 English volumes. , , At the watohnight service on'Chinese'New Tear's Eve, the congregation gavo £6 to the Canton Villages Mission. .The church-door collections had. come to nearly £30; £2 2s had been voted to tho Dnnedin Hospital, and £2 2s to tho British and-Foreign Biblo Society. The church members, and adherents had also given well towards the £113 14s collectod for the Benevolent 'Institution, and £37 10s for the John G. Kerr Eefugo for the Insane-at .Canton,- Mr Don explained, regarding the only baptism, that the cession strives to guard strictly against tho admission of men who would, on return to China, revert to heathenism as to their Chinese dress. . ■ • • - •

Rev. W. Hewitson spoke shortly on reasons for gratitude to God for .".the workors in the church and the year of. manifest success. Rev. J. Chisholm, in/hnppy terms, moved a comp_rehensiVo vofo and tho evening cri.tled witji thji benediction in English end Chinese,, '"••'".';■';:.'; • ;