The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-03-04

The April meeting of the woman'a
Board of Missions was presided over by
Mrs Theodore Richards. one OF the
younger vice-presidents. The opening
exercises of Scripture reading and pray
er were given by Mrs. Leadingham on
the subject of the Good Shepherd and
His Ways of Shepherding His Flock. +"
After routine reports the paper of the
afternoon was read. which was a
graphic sketch of Mother Missell. a
missionary lady in India who has late
iy had a jubilee celebration given her in
memory Of her successful work there by
her numerous pupils and many con-
verts. and who was crowned with fifty
garlands in honor of the day; and later
laid the cornerstone of small church
for which the money had been raised as
a memorial TO her memory. After the
paper the report of the Portuguese
work By Mrs. Soares and Chinese work
were presented by Miss Sumter. Then
extracts from long and most inter
esting letter of Miss Wilson. of Kusaie.
Micronesia, were read by Mrs. ]. NJ.
Whitney, followed with a short letter
from one of the American orphan boys.
towards whose education the ladies
contribute.
The paper Of Miss Sumter. which was
entitled Glimpse of the Chinese New
Year Seen From a Missionary Stand
point" is presented below
very generous collection was taken
up and special remembrance of love
sent to Mrs. Hiram Bingham, the for
mer president.
MISS suNTER's PAPER.
1t was near the close of a windy
afternoon late in January, during the
height Of the Chinese New Year fes-
tivities- Already the sun had sunk to
rest behind waianae mountains, and
the lights of city were flashing into
vie,S. scattering the darkness and W.
ing in brilliancy with the stars peep
ing out, one by one.
stranger could almost imagine
himself in the far away East that |
night, so Oriental were the scenes /
upon which he gazed. The long rows |
Of Chinese lanterns swaying in the
wind; the sharp splutter of fire crack
ers on the evening air; the dull boom
Of cannon; the whiz of the rocket; the
blast of a band in full swing near BY
all served to remind him of some
quaint city in the heart Of China. The
wealthy merchant, the poor working
man, the cook on his self-taken leave
IF absence; the young business man,
lIert, progressive; the shy, sweet-faced
woman In gorgeous silks, with the
.iniest of golden lilies; the children
n bright rainbow tints-all conditions
# Chinese life were in some way rep
a picture fun of life
md color, rich in it's Oriental setting.
Near the steps of little chapel lin
,ered two missionaries, thoughtfully
this strange scene.
Below the frolic and the mirth they
aw human hearts and lives in need
p tho Divina foIIch
"Shall we make an early start in the
asked one, as they parted.
YES" replied the other. We surely
gust, for we have far to CO."
So early the next morning the friends
Fere together once more, ready for the
ong days visiting. You who visited
he shops and the stores, and attended
he receptions at the New Year time,
ealize something of the warmth of
'hinese hospitality. To US, however,
tho as women, mingle daily with our
isters of another cline, it is peculiarly
iven to fathom the depths Of love
emit up in a Chinese woman's heart.
yer and over again we were touched {
v some kindness. shown. perhaps, /
here least expected. "Kung hei san
en-" "a happy New Year, How glad
IL greeting. How warm the well
,me. Did we think to pass by for
,e time being, beckoninay hands and
leading voices would urge us in
Teacher. teacher. come IL here!" they E
led. Weeks had been spent in pre-
ring for this holiday. and everything '
as in festive array. Houses glistened r
the fresh paint. and were as clean t
/, soap and water could make them T
right red strips of paper were pasted 7
,ove every door, expressive Of con- o
.at,,Iatinn Long life and happi- | I