The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-06-24
PASTOR To PROBE
CH|NK MISSION
Rev. ]. c. Tolmie, OF Windsor
Aroused By Sigel Murder, Plans
Careful Inquiry.

Careful Inquiry.
The Staying OF Miss elsie Sigel 20
New York by her Chinese lover, Leon
Ling. whom she tried to convert TO
Christianity, Is having its effect ia
this locality as In all others where
Cinnamon are numbered among the in
habitants OF the community. Detroit
has no Chinese mission, but 1t has
Cinnamon ana. as a result Of the New
York tragedy, there is tendency on
/ the part of churchmen TO inquire Al
there are any Chinese pupils In their
sunday schools. and, If SO. under what
conditions they are being taught.
! ST. Andrews Presbyterian church.
! In Windsor, has a well-organized Chi
nese department in its Sunday school.
In charge Of Miss Carrie Patillo. There
are now about 20 pupils. including
almost every Chink in Windsor. anu
there is a teacher for each. The ma
jority OF the instructors are young
women. This branch OF the work has
been carried on for the past 10 years
and in that time there has never been
hint of scandal. Nevertheless, In
view OF whar has happened In New
York, the Rev. j. C.. Toimie. pastor
OF the church, will make a personal
investigation Of the conduct or the
class TO learn whether any changes
are called for.
Now that this thing has happened
feel that I would not be doing my
full duty unless | took every precau-
ton as far as the conduct OF our own
mission is concerned" said Mr. Toll
inie Not that | believe there is any
real danger, but that the matter Is or
such importance that no chances
should be taken, will do this. And
If II should be found advisable TO sup
plant the young women teachers with
older and more experienced women or
men the change. OF cource, VIII pc
made.
Chinese Well Behaved.
However, scarcely think this Will
be necessary. Our Chinese have al
ways been we'll behaved. J have yet
to hear of a single instance where
the conduct of any of these pupils has
been out OF the way. They seem To
know their place very well. Not one
OF them would think OF walking home
with his woman teacher. Theii les
sons over. they go off by themselves
and mind their own business.
THE conditions under which our
Chinese are taught are not favorable
for the development Of closer relations
between the pupils and teachers. The
class is a part OF the regular Sunday
school and, like the other classes. II
under TIE general direction OF the
superintendent, Col. n. A. Bartlett ANY
improper conduct would be promptly
reported. | would be one of thu irst
TO hear of any such thing, and | am
pleased TO say that no such occurrence
has even been brought 10 my r1'ice.
Our Chinese pupils are taught main
ly to count and to speak english. we
try to teach them religion, too. but II
is probably true that most OF them
come purely for the instruction in
English and do now care much about
the religious end of IL. They are a
thrifty people. Most OF the men have
wives in their native country aDJ are
probably planning TO return to theiG
when hey have made some money
N this country. Our class keeps
changing constantly and the attend
nlce varies accordingly. Whers do
they go? Well, they disappear. Some
OF them, know, return 10 China.
others, no doubt, find their way to the
States In spite OF the exclusion Jaws.
But while IL is true that, as rule,
our Chinese pupils have mercenary
object In attending our mission. sew
eral of them are regular attendants At
church. sitting together IN a pew by
themselves Since the mission was
established 10 years ago | have taken
three Chinese into the church. but
none Of these is now with Us. One
died and believe the others re-
turned to China.
What is true of Our mission is true.
| believe, of the Presbyterian missions
throughout Ontario. All are under the
general supervision OF the Rev MI.
Thompson, a returned Chinese mis-
sionary. who Is employed by the
church for the express purpose OF Wis
ting the different missions and keep
ing in touch with them"
II any Of the Windsor "Chinks" are
receiving private instructions FROM
their Sunday school teachers, Mr..
Tolmie is NOT aware Of It.
Give Gifts to Teachers.
The only time the Chinese meet
their teachers outside OF the Sunday
school, except, possibly when they
rass on the street and exchange per
! functory greetings. is In the home OF
/ Miss Patillo at Christmas, when they
are all invited to a Christmas feast.
/ The Celestials, eager to show their
appreciation and imbued with the
spirit OF the occasion, invariably pre-
sent their teachers with little remem-
brances. usually a package of native
tea. on these occasions. But teachers
! and pupils do not sit together at the
table The class is served first and
after the members have taken their
departure the teachers sit down to-
gether
Il an opposed to the private tutor
ing of one pupil by one girl teacher"
says the Rev. A. II. Barr, DID. pastor
! OF the Jefferson-ave. Presbyterian
church Il believe this method Is
Ionen tn serious criticism and criti-