Connecticut western news., 1920-01-01
CHINESE BECOME ! SOCIAL PIONEERS
Men and Women Form Good FeI- loWShip Club Together Under
 '. w. C. A. Leadership.

The Good Fellowship Club has made its appearance in society in Hangchow, China.
 It began with the desire of pro- gressive young Chinese doctor to give his compatriots, especially the Chris tians, some healthful form of social in- tercOurse.
 Channels for a good. clean, social life among Chinese people are very limited. Until recently becoming a Christian often meant cutting oneself off from ones friends and relatives, also from feast days and festivals. AS for joint meetings of men and wom- 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 sniffed at. However, few people agreed to be pioneers in the cause of social intercourse, and '. w. C. A. sec retaries agreed to help make the club success
 At first the meetings of the club were laughed at by outsiders and the whole affair considered a joke. How ever, the members kept on meeting, first at one house and then at another. Soon the men got over the feeling of strangenesS 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 hus- 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 un- derstand and take part. Many of the scoffers began to apply for admission. The members began indulging in much friendly chaffing and occasionally for got their dignity to 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 joint session, with a special program.
 Students just returned from Ameri- can and German colleges an old Bud- dhist scholar who is particularly inter- ested in the discussion. on Buddhism and Christianity, merchants, railroad and government officials compose the mems side of the room. The women are still a 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 well poised, clear thinking indi- viduals. who will have great infiu- ence on China's future. They discuss among themselves group meetings in their various churches, the lack of amusements for Chinese women, social service work, subscription lists for the orphanage, cake making, types of stoves, baby diets, the latest engage ment and other topics such as one would hear discussed by a group Of women gathered together any place in America
 The social part of the evening is giv- en over to games, which at first astound the sober Chinese gentlemen, but which they take up with great zest after the first evening. And their wives enjoy it just as greatly.
 Real American picnics are the latest thing which the club has tried, and they are a great success. A Christmas play is being planned now.