ANNIVERSARY OF CHINESE MISSIONS.
Reading edition
Superintendent Dr. Pond is a modest man, and we, therefore, take the liberty of quoting from the Congregationalist a little sketch by our friend Dr. Holbrook, of the recent anniversary of the Chinese Mission as presenting a broad ray of sunshine over the "Shady Side," as given in Brother Pond's candid article above.
The Chinese Mission of the A.M.A. on the Pacific coast, under the superintendence of Rev. W.C. Pond, D.D., is very efficient and successful. Its thirteenth anniversary was held on Sunday evening, December 9, in the First Congregational Church in San Francisco, Prof. I.E. Dwinell presiding. The exercises by the Chinese converts indicated remarkable proficiency in the English language and in music, both in solos and choruses. Jee Gam, the first convert, and now employed by the courts as an interpreter, read an address on "The Congregational Association of Christian Chinese," of such merit in thought and language, that some doubted its originality, which, however, was vouched for by Dr. Pond. The writer sketched its origin in 1871 and the progress of the Association since, and said it had been the means of the conversion of more than 700 Chinese, and that it designs to send missionaries to China. It is self-supporting, though the expenditures during the year have been $9,619.50, of which $2,066 were for rent. Dr. Pond advocated the appointment of itinerant preachers to labor with the Chinese in the moving camps on the railroads. Rev. Dr. Barrows made a very effective appeal for funds, and a collection was taken. Dr. Pond certainly deserves great credit for his labors in this department, in addition to the pastorate of Bethany Church in San Francisco, in which there are a large number of Chinese.