DUNEDIN CHINESE CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 10

DUNEDIN CHINESE CHURCH.

j A work that affords pleasure and satisfaction to those responsible for it, as well as to those for whose benefit it is done, is the Presbyterian Mission amongst the Chinese of Dunedin. At a meeting which is held annually occasion is taken to review the work done, while an opportunity is given also for social intercourse. This year's meeting (which took place on the 2nd inst.) was as successful as any of its predecessors. Seventy Europeans and over 50 Chinese were present; and, besides refreshments (which were provided by the Chinese on a scale characteristically liberal), those present were treated to a programme varied and interesting. The Rev. James -Chisholm, acting convener of the Presbyterian Foreign Missions Committee, who presided over the gathering, paid his hearty tribute to the excellent work which the Rev. Mr Don and those associated with him were accomplishing. The Chinese on their part had given expression to their regard for the mission work not only by their consistent attendance at meetings, but by their liberality, which extended to all the schemes of the Church. Donations had been given by them to the P.S.S.A., Training Institute, and other bodies, while they had also contributed handsomely to the Otago Bible Society and to the Dunedin Hospital. Their loyailty and their good feeling in these and other matters was gratifying, and was an indirect tribute to their esteemed friend and minister, Mr Don. The Rev. Gray Dixon expressed his appreciation of the courtesy he had received from the Chinese, and from Eastern people generally; Mr H. White gave instances of the value of the mission work, and, with others, alluded to the loss sustained by their esteemed friend and helper, Mr P. Dick; while the Rev. W. Chan also made a few remarks appropriate to the occasion. He pointed out the universal appeal which Christianity made, and alluded to the fact that the two Chinese consuls appointed to New Zealand were Christians. Hymns were given by Chinese singers, and Joe Say contributed a solo, being accompanied on the flute by Kong See You. On the motion of the Rev. R. Fairmaid, votes of thanks were passed to the Chinese for providing the tea, especially Mrs Lo Keong and Mr John Chan, ladies for serving at tables, Mrs Lo Keong, Mrs Don, Misses J. H. Don, James, N. Dick, and Ramsay; to the speakers and singers, including the Rev. J. Chisholm (chairman) and Mrs Don (organist). The annual re-port recorded some improvement. Attendances at Sunday afternoon services ranged from 25 to 77, with an average of 37.2, while the evening congregation averaged just over 10. The individual hearers numbered 256. A weekly service is held for the Chinese inmates of the Benevolent Institution. On Chinese New Year's Eve (January 29) a watchnight service was held, at which the collection for the Canton Villages Mission amounted to £lO 9a 6d. Bible Sunday was kept on April 30, and the collection of £8 was given to the British and Foreign Bible Society. On April 9 and 15, in the forenoon, memorial services were held at the' graves of deceased members. The heathen festival of Ts'ing Ming, when the dead are worshipped and propitiatory offerings made, falls near Easter. The Christian memorial service has been instituted in place of tne heathen feast. There were five regular pupils at the Sunday school, with the teachers—Mrs Lo Keong. Miss A. James, Miss J. N. Don, Mr P. Dick, and Mr T. Wright. The death of Mr Dick on Set>ber 3 removes one who was very closely connected with the church and Sunday school. Next to Mr Henry White, Mr Dick was Mr Don's oldest helper. He began as a teacher of the class in Lees Street Mission Hall on July 23, 1890, and during the 21 years since then he never failed to attend when possible. Mr Dick's photograph will be hung in the church as a memorial of the faithful, kind, and steadfast friend of the Chinese. The year's total receipts amount to £92 9s Id, of which the principal items are: —Church door collections, £2O 6s Id; donations by 10 Chinese, £4 9s; by four Europeans, £3 2s; grant from missionary exhibition surplus, £5 7s 9d; bank interest. £ls 10s 9d; special collections, £lB 9s 6d. The principal items of expenditure are:—Rates, repairs, insurance, gas, and cleaning, £ls 14s 4d; books and photographs, £l2 12s lOd; C.V. Mission £lO 9s 6d; British and .Foreign Bible Society. £8; P.S.S.A., Women's Training Institute, Home Mist sions, Maori Mission, Punjab Mission, and Knox College, each £2; Dunedin Hospital, £3 3s; New Hebrides Mission, Youth of Church Fund, and Presbytery expenses, each £l.