The Hawaiian gazette., 1906-01-05

but see things with more charitable
eyes, and in not only brighter, but a
truer light.
Honolulu. January 2. 1906.
THE CHINESE WORK.
The call for a report OF the Chinese
work brought out the following paper
from Miss SUMTER
The report 7 bring you today centers
briefly around the old-time Christmas
message and is written as a drama of
two scenes each illustrating real life
The first represents the Fort street
Chinese Sunday school celebrating the
coming of Christmas. Flowers, ferns
and bright foliage quite transform the
old church, and its holiday atmosphere
penetrates to farthest Chinatown.
Long before the hour for opening
every seat is taken, and scores are
standing The curtain rises on what
is perhaps an unique Chinese audience.
A student OF Oriental human nature
would glory in it, for almost every
phase of Chinese life is in some way
represented. Rich and poor, cultivated
and illiterate. Pagan and Christian
touch elbows tonight. Notice shy,
sweet faced Golden Lilies side by side
with the self-reliant, educated, modern
young girl untrammeled by custom or
tradition. Contrast the staid, dignifled
type of old China with the progressive,
alert young Chinese man of today.
1.-THE old order changeth, yielding place
to new" Even the Sunday school is
revelation, reminding one not at all of
Chinese institution. Queless for the
IaA hxNy IN
tional American costume. The girls
in fresh white dresses and dainty rib
bons resemble our own American las
sizes.
The traditional Christmas tree, glow
ing with light, is the center of attrac-
ton for hundreds of bright-faced chill
dren Under the able leadership of
Mr. Leach of Mills Institute, an ex-
cellent program is rendered. Seven
teen young people. present every sum
day throughout the year, receive spe-
cial gifts. The evening closes with
visit from Santa Claus, who dispenses
candy with his usual liberality. The
curtain is rung down, lights turned off
and the Chinese church celebration of
1905 passes out into the silence and
shadow of memory.
Scene ii shows an outdoor festival at
the Chinese Mission Home on Liliha st.
The tree is the same-almost 1t might
be termed the international tree, for
having first appeared before Central
Union little folks, it has visited the
Chinese church, Mills Institute and
Kakaako Mission, finally farewellins
from our little home. Truely in Ho-
nolulu tie world unites in homage to
the Babe of Bethlehem!
1t finds its place under the canopy
of a large monkey-pod, whose wide
spreading branches afford shelter from
occasional scurries of rain. Through
glossy, green foliage bits of blue sky
smile down upon the happy gathering
as though with special benediction.
Three hundred little children from Ka-
uluwela Sunday school and Liliha Mis-
sion are this time recipients of Santa
Claus bounty. They form a pictur-
esque group scattered about under the
tree-some on benches, some on the
ground, and others-boys, of Counsel
in the branches of the monkey-pod
itself. Listening to their songs and
simple recitations, one can not help
feeling that very real mission work Is
being done among these children.
Most of the credit for the afternoon
belongs to Miss Woods, who spared
no effort to make it success. In this
connection 1t is fitting to mention MISS
Woods impending departure for a
years rest in her Canadian home.
Wise, patient, gentle, faithful, she has
been tireless in the service of the Chi
.nese, and they love her. Perhaps never
before has a worker so deeply infiu-
enced them spiritually. That she will
be missed goes without saying, for she
has endeared herself to us all. Espe-
cially will her absence be felt in her
night school, and in the home on LII
liha, whose presiding genius she has
been since it's inception. 1t is also
chiefly due to her influence that All
/ Ian, a little half-C Chinese from wretch
ed surroundings, is today in Kawaia-
hao Seminary.
In closing this report we are inclined
to count some of the blessings brought
by 1905 There has been far more to
encourage than to discourage. Our
hospital and dispensary work has
gained fresh impetus under DR.. Burn
hams capable management The COM
ing TO us of Miss Thornton as director
of nurses adds a welcome reinforce
ment to the hospital staff. 1905 also
gave us our Bible woman. Her sweet,
sunny presence already has brought
cheer and comfort to sad women
hearts. Our new mission home is in
itself sufficient cause for paeans oil
thanksgiving over what God is accom-
plishing through it. We are still
handicapped, however, for lack OF a
homes full equipment. Furniture OF
any kind would be most welcome, and
would measurably enhance the useful
ness of the home. At present we pos
sess only one rocking chair and this
| is specially reserved for guests. The
| serving club meets regularly every
Saturday Afternoon in the shade of the
monkey-pod. with an average attend
ance of twenty-five> Miss Woods Is
my only helper, and am wondering
who will volunteer to nil her place
| when she leaves.
Our latch-string is always out fol
our friends. We need the inspiration
of fellowship, for so often the life of
4 Christian worker is a lonely one. says
the Old Book: "They help every ont
his neighbor, and every one saith Il
his brother, BE of good courage