Courier Democrat., 1920-01-08
CHINESE BECOME
SOCIAL PIONEERS
Men and Women Form Good Eel.
Iowship Club Together Under
Y. w. c. A. Leadership.

The Good Fellowship Club has made
its appearance in society in Hangchow,
China.
1t began with the desire of a pro-
gressive young Chinese doctor to give
his compatriots, especially the, Chris
tians, some healthful form Of Social in.
tercourse.
Channels for good, clean, social
life among Chinese people are very
limited. Until recently becoming Il
Christian often meant cutting oneself
off from ones friends and relatives,
also from feast days and festivals.
AS for joint meetings Of men and wo1n-
en-well, such thing was never heard
of in decent society
The young doctors plan Of having
club where men and their wives
might come together to enjoy good
time with each other was discouraged
and shifted at. However, few people
agreed to be pioneers in the cause Of
social Intercourse, and Y. w. G. A. Sec
retaries agreed to help make the club
success. -~-
At first the meetings Of the club
were laughed at by outsiderSAand the
whole affair considered joke. How
ever, the members kept on meeting,
first at one house and then at another
Soon the men got over the feeling Of
strangcness at starting out with their
wives on Tuesday evening fOr a
friends home The women began to
enjoy the outing and to take part in
the discussions-an intelligent part,
too--much to the surprise of their nus
bands.
The membership grew. The clubs
fame began to spread. At first the dis
cussions of the club were conducted in
English. Soon it became necessary
for them to be carried on in Chinese
so that more Of the women could UNI
derstand and take part. Many Of the
scoffers began to apply for admission.
The members began indulging in 1nuch
friendly chatting and occasionally for
got their dignity 10 play jokes on one
another. Finally it became so large
that it had to be divided into two sec
tiOnS. which met separately three
Tuesday evenings in the month and on
the fourth Tuesday met together for a
Joint session, with special program.
Students just returned from Amerf-
can and German colleges an old Bud
t1hist scholar who is particularly.dnter-
ested in the discussion on Buddhism
and Christianity, merchants, railroad
and government officials compose the
mems side of the room. The women
are still bit shy about talking in
front of so many people, but many OF
them show signs of great executive
ability and power Of leadership. They
are all we'll poised, clear thinking indi
viduals, who will have great inffu
ence on Chinas future. They discuss
among themselves group meetings II
their various churches, the lack OF
amusements for Chinese women, socia
service work, subscription lists for the
orphanage, cake making, types O.
stoves, baby diets, the latest engage
ment and other topics such as ONT
would hear discussed by group o:
women gathered together any plaeesll
America
The social part of the evening is Civ
en- over to games, which at hrs
astound the sober Chinese gentlemen
| but which they take up with great zes
after the first ovening. And thel
wives enjoy it just as greatly.
Real American picnics are the lates
thing which the club has tried, AM
they are a great success. A Christina
play is being planned now.