Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-10
Board of Missions Call on the Chinese
Minister.
LADIES WERE RECEIVED CORDIALLY
Teaching the Bible in the Scaritt
School.
BIS HOP RST'S TALK


close of the report in The Star of last even
ing, were full of the greatest interest, and
formed what may be termed an epoch in
the history of this great representative body
of the Southern Church.
AS foreshadowed in The Evening Star,
the Chinese minister and his wife, Mrs.
Yang, accorded the members of the board
reception at the legation. Although this
was in response to request from the mem
hers OF the board. the granting of the favor
Is thought by the members of the mission
board to signify that China is about to open
her doors more freely to the missionaries
sent from this country, and is preparing tc
adopt more of the manners and customs
Of the most enlightened nations. So far at
is known this is the first occasion when al
ambassador Of the Emperor of China il
any land has received q deputation com
posed OF ladies who were engaged in send
ing agents to his land for the purpose OF
uyIhS to induce the subjects of the latter Il
forsake the religion OF their ancestors anC
accept enc that they did not want.
During the reception. the minister, in re
ply to remarks on the subject by the pres
dent OF the mission board, Mrs VI. ID
NlShtman, told his visitors that there wa:
no opposition on the part OF the Emperor
| or emma or of the educated upper classes
| to the presence in that country Of Christian
missionaries, stating further that the an
upathy, which is known to exist, is con
lined to the lowe classes exclusively"
Inc reception was a charming affair
throughout and the ladies who attended
We're delighted beyond their highest ex-
pectations. The minister had mi ormed the
members Of thu board through the State
Department that he and his wife would
be pleased to comply with their request
for a reception, and named O'Clock as the
hcur Later however, the time was
changed to 80. 1t was fortunate that this
falling in torrents and it would have been
an utter impossbility FOR the ladies 10
have reached the legation. A little later
the rain ceased and at $50 the sun was
again shining brightly.
The members of the board assembled
soon after the latter hour in the main re-
ception room, and VII IN announcement
was made that the minister ard his wife
were ready to receive their visitors there
were present: Mrs. NJ. d. Wightman, presi-
lent; Mrs. NJ. l.. Gibson, vice president
Mrs. s. c. Trueheart, secretary; Mrs H
\. McTyeire, treasurer; Mrs E. c. Dow
lelI, Mrs j. d; Hamilton, Mrs. w. G: E.
Cunningham. Mrs. T. b. Hargrove, Mrs
Hendrix, Mrs. Mary Lamford, Mrs. W. b.
liigsinbotham, Miss Virginia Massie, Mrs
'. V. Harlan. Mrs. J. 7. Williams, Miss
Belle Bennett, Mrs. NJ. McClurg. Mrs. E
j. Fullalove, Mrs. James Thomas, Mrs
J.. B. Chattield, Miss Laura Bradford Miss
Clara Murphy, Mrs. c. w. Brandon, Miss
Elizabeth Billingsley, Mrs. E. j. Robinson,
Mrs Morgan Galloway. Mrs. F. d. Swim
dcll, Mrs. r. W. McDougaU, Mrs. j. W
lfumbert, Mrs. J. p. NIussett, T. B. Weak
ley, Mrs. Z. J. Robinson, Mrs. S. w. Jones'
| K w. Mcdonnell, Mrs. T NJ Bumposs, Mrs
| H. G: Cheatham, Mrs. S. s. Park, Mrs. J.
| +. Musick, Mrs. ]. c. Hawthorne, Miss
Ida Moore, Rev. j. o. Knott, pastor OF
Epworth NJ. E. Church South, this city;
| Rev. DR.. Swindell Of Goldsboro, N c.
Judge Chambers of the State Department
Rev. DIR. Smithson and representative OF
The Star
The Reception.
1t was but little while until information
was received by those in waiting that the
minister and his wife We're ready for tho
reception, and at the request of Judge
chambers, who acted as master Of cere
monies. on the part Of the ladies, line OF
two abreast was formed. the officers of the
board leading, and in this manner TIE
party proceeded to the large parlor where
the ceremonies took place.
The introductions were made by the in.
terpreter, Mr.. SIC, first to Mrs. \ ang and
then to the minister. Each of the distin.
guished personages was richly attired II
oriental costume, and each had a pleasant
word to say to the visitor. After all were
introduced Judge Chambers told the minis
ter, through the interpreter, that Mrs
Wightman, as president of me woman.
home and foreign mission board, desiret
to make d few remarks in reference TO tn,
work of the board, through their mis-
s.onaries in China.
The minister, replying, also through III.
interpreter, said he would be pleased L
whatever Mrs. Wightman might b,
pleased to say.
Mrs. Wightman, addressing the minister
said she had long been admirer Of
China and its people. She had she said
read much of its history, and since the
board had located missions there she hal
become SO much interested in the country
that she felt that she could not willingly
1aaN- -la had I'D
the representative of the emperor Of thai
great country.
The minister listened attentively to Mrs
Wightman's address. and, in reply, assured
the ladies, stated above, that there was
the best of feeling existing on the part o1
the emperor and the members of the edu-
Gated upper classes toward the Christian
missionaries in China, and that the op
position to them came from the ignorant
among the lower classes.
Presented "a Bible.
Mrs. Hendrix, mother of Bishop Hendrix
of the NJ. E. Church South. then stepped
forward and asked permission, which was
granted, for her to present to Mrs. Yang
granted by the minister, for her to present
TO Mrs. Yang a badge of the society, and
Immediately followed that with second
request TO be allowed to pin the badge on
the front of Mrs. Iang's dress. This was
also granted, and as soon as she had
Mrs. Yang is a member of our society,
and then the ladies applauded by clapping
their hands.
Mrs. Yang looked at the pretty badge
admiringly, but appeared to wonder what
she had done that pleased the ladies SO
much. The action of Mrs Hendrix created
some little enthusiasm, and as soon as
quiet was again restored Mrs. Wightman
holding a large and magnificently bound
Bible in her hands, and addressing the am
bassador, said. Mr.. Minister, We want
you to allow Mrs. Yang TO accept this copy
of our Holy Bible and to permit 1t to stay
in your house."
The minister replied in English the only
time he used the language during the re-
ception: Il thank you very much,' and
Mrs. Yang said also in English, Thank
you"
Miss Campbell, a missionary, who recent
ly returned from China, was introduced to
the minister, and for some moments the
two persons carried on a conversation in
Chinese. The minister seemed to be de-
lighted that Miss Campbell was able TO
talk to him in his own tongue and mani
tested his pleasure in his countenance.
Mrs. Wightman asked Miss Campbell to
sing a hymn in Chinese, but she declined
on the ground that in China no woman
ever sang outside Of the church with which
she was connected.
The ceremonies being concluded, the min
lister and Mrs Yang. through the interpre-
ter extended an invitation to all present to
repair TO the dining room ami partake of
refreshments, and there e half hour was
spent eating cake and drinking lemonade