CHINESE MISSION.

Colonist, Volume XLV, Issue 10380, 11 April 1902, Page 2

CHINESE MISSION.

There was a fairly good attendance last night, notwithstanding counter attractions, at the meeting in connection with the mission to the Chinese in New Zealand, held in the Bishop's School. The Bishop of Nelson presided, and, after, the singing" of a hymn, offered prayer, and then explained the object of the meeting and certain matters in connection with the mission—what had been done by Mr Wong on the West Coast, and what was being done ; the former arrangements, and the present ones, by which Mr Wong makes his headquarters in Wellington, devoting his time for eight months to the Chinese located there, aud for four months to those on the West Coast of this Island. As this Diocese finds the larger proportion of his stipend, "this at first sight," said his Lord|ship, "appears unfair, but we. considered that we in this diocese should not consider the needs of the Chinese in this Diocese only, but of the Chinese as a whole, and as there are b far greater number in Wellington, so the opportunities for Mr Wong were largely increased. No doubt these are not quite satisfactory for several reasons, and will bo further modified later on." His Lordship having conferred with Mr Don, the Presbyterian missionary, on certain matters > connected with the West Coast, as proving the high qualifications of Mr Wong for the worK, his Lordship stated that Mr Don had never seen such a large number of Chinese gathered to any mission service in New Zealand as he did at Mr Wong's meeting at Greymouth last Sunday. Mr Daniel Wong then read a paper upon his work and aims. It would be quite impossible for us, even though we printed the paper in its entirety, to convey to our readers all its merits. Those fortunate enough to have heard it must have realised, if never before, the deep earnestness of Mr Wong in the spiritual aspect of his work, and hie honesty and true humility of soul. Mr Wong stated that the Chinese on the Coast are decreasing in numbers, being now only about 550. Being very scattered, he can have no central station, but travels from place to place, on Sunday getting them together into a church or schoolhouse, and on week days visiting them in their huts, or at their work, to tell them of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Greymouth he has a class to teach the Chinese to read the Scriptures in English, and this is weß attended, as the Chinese desire to learn English, as they recognise its value in business. Mr Wong speaks in the highest terms of the. great interest taken in the work and practical help given by the Rev. G. York, of Greymouth, by which he has won the love and esteem of his countrymen on the Coast. After giving details of his work in Wellington, and the help given by the Rev J. Bartlett, of St. Pau 's, and the Eev E v T. Bond, of St. Mark's, Mr Wong went on to describe the idolatry, superstition, and vice- of the Chinese, which he found much worse and harder to deal with among those living in Wellington than on the Coast. After 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, and how discouraging be found it on tho Coast, after walking 15 or 20 miles though the rough bush to find few men to speak to, and these few unwilling to accept tbe life-giving truths of the Gospel. He gave some iew encouraging results of his work. It is quite evident that Mr Wong exercises the greatest care with those professing conversion, since he insists that their belief in Christ shall have a praotical effect upon their lives before he consents to acTrnit them into the Church by baptism. In conclusion, Mr Wong roost earnestly appealed to his hearers to assist him in bis work, not only by gifts of money, but by constant prayer, that he may be used to bring many of his countrymen to the knowledge of the jay and peace of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, not only for their own good, but that they, in their turn, may carry the good tidings to their countrymen in China when they go back At the close of Mr Wong's paper, the EevE C.Eobison gave Borne very interesting details of the work among the Chinese in the diocese of Sydney, where the work

has been taken over from the Boarjcl of Missions by the Church Missionary Association, who have largely extended the wo: k. Theyna^e a Chinese clergyman, the Rev 800 Hoo Ten, and under him as catechists Charles A. Young at Tumut, John Cheong Lee at Botany, Matthew Ching Chong at Bathurst, and Leong Bong at Hay, all doinp good work. Mr Robison staled that he was firmly of opinion that tho most successful method of carrying on mission work was to utilise native converls instead of Europeans as evangelists. The Bishop, at the close, stated that they would iequire to raise something like £100 towards Mr Wong's expenses, and Che appealed for help. Subscriptions could be sent to Mr Kingsley, Diocesan Treasurer, to Mrs Mackie, or to any of the clergy of the Diocese.