What do the Papers Say?
Besides trying to convert the Chinese from their "heathen"
ways, the Chinese missions also took on the tasks of late 19th century
ESL schools for the Chinese, as well as operating an outreach
programme for Chinese women escaping from the field of prostitution.
The Chinese missions, and, indeed, the Chinese churches in
Victoria into which they developed is not particularly well documented
by the newspapers of the day. Indifference and hostility to the
missionaries' work is likely reflected in the media coverage. The
opening of the first Chinese Mission School did get some favourable
attention, though.
Victoria
Daily Colonist 20 March
1874, p. 3
Chinese Mission School
Last night
in Bossi’s block, Cormorant
street, was
inaugurated a school to be known as the Chinese Mission School. Mr. Vrooman, of San
Francisco, (whose
father was for 33 years a missionary in China) who is
thoroughly conversant with their language and customs, and is engaged in
Chinese mission work in that city, has been spending several weeks
in Victoria, and it
was at his suggestion that the matter was taken in hand. On
visiting a number of Chinese merchants they were found to be
greatly in favour of the establishment of the school, and promised
financial assistance, Mr. Loo Choo Fan, of Kwong Lee & Co., tendering $50, and promising
that he would assist further when called upon to do so.
The object
of the school is to first instruct the Chinese in English, and as they
master this to use it as a means of instilling Christian precepts.
A Christianized Chinaman and his wife
who are at present in Portland, can be
secured to conduct the Sunday services and to take charge of the
school for secular instruction. Representations have been
forwarded by the Rev. Mr. Percival, pastor of the Methodist church
of this city, to the Methodist missionary society in the east,
stating the phases of the matter, and it is confidently expected that
society will proclaim Victoria as a
Chinese mission field and support the effort.
A large,
comfortable upstair room has been secured
and furnished with school desks, benches, etc. On the wall was a
large illuminated motto with the words “God bless our Sunday
school.”
Last night
the first session was held, the books used being the same as those in
the public schools. The secular classes will be under the charge
of Miss Pollard and Miss Burgess, who will be occasionally
assisted by volunteers. Mr. Vrooman
will remain until the latter part of the week to see the school
thoroughly underway. There were about 25 Chinamen in attendance at
the opening last night, ranging in age from 8 to 40
years, who all seemed anxious to “heap savee”
the English language. At the close the Lord’s
prayer was repeated in English by the Rev. Mr. Percival, and also
in Chinese by Mr. Vrooman. As the
Celestials scholars departed they each thanked their teachers and said
that they would come again.
The effort
thus begun by a few is a most praiseworthy one, and there can be little
doubt about its success, for the Chinese themselves seem anxious for it,
and have promised to give it substantial assistance, while Christians
should countenance it as a step in the right direction.