Address at the Chinese Church, Sabbath
Afternoon,Jan. 2d, 1881, by Rev. S.C. Damon.

The first preaching of the gospel among the Chinese, and in their own language, was by the Rev. W. Speer, D.D., in the year of 1856. Mr. Speer had been a missionary in China under the American Presbyterian Board of Missions. To hear him preach, a large Chinese audience assembled at the Bethel. Mr. Speer wrote some articles relating to the Chinese, which were published in the FRIEND.

No systematic effort was made to evangelize the Chinese until Mr. S. P. Aheong was employed by the Hawaiian Board, during the years 1868, 1869 and 1870, when he left with his Hawaiian wife for China, where he died, and not until the year 1879, his wife and children returned. Mr Aheong was really an educated and talented Chinese, and preached with much eloquence. He was from the educated class in China. On his arrival at the islands he fell under the influence and was employed by Mr. Torbert at Makawao. While in the Rev. Mr. Green's school, and under the teaching of his daughter Mary, this young Chinaman learned to speak and read the English language with great ease and fluency. So much were his services valued by the Hawaiian Board, that during the last year of his evangelistic labors he received a salary of $1200. He relinquished his store at Lahaina to engage in preaching the gospel to his countrymen, who ever listened to his addresses with delight, for he could speak in several of the the dialects of China. At the time of his sailing for China in May, 1870, there were estimated to be 1500 Chinese on the islands..

The interest then awakened led to the establishment of two Chinese evening schools in Honolulu. This was in the month of April, 1869. One of these schools was under the auspices of Mr. E. Bonner, a lay-preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The other one was taught by Mr. Dunscombeon the Bethel premises. On my return from the United States and Europe in the spring of 1870, only Mr. Dunscombe's school was in successful operation. Being fully impressed with the importance of the education of the Chinese, as there was no organized effort to carry forward the school, I resolved that it should not be given up. In order to sustain Mr. Dunscombe in his self-denying work, I applied to the Board of Education for a grant, which has proved of great assistance. For several years this grant was $200 per annum, but of late years it has been increased to $300. This appropriation with other aid, which I held out, encouraged him to go forward. The pupils who were able have, in addition, paid one dollar per month, while many have been taught free of charge. The school has been held three evenings each week at the Bethel Vestry during the last eleven years. It has averaged about sixteen or eighteen pupils, but at times fallen below the average. Yesterday the teacher reported to me as follows: "The list of scholars for the first year of the Chinese school has been mislaid, i.e. for 1869 and 1870, but from April, 1870, up to the present time, Dec. 31st 1880, the total number of scholars has been 265, embracing as follows:

Chinese...................................248
Japanese...................................14
White boys..................................2
Natives of Guam...................1-------265

What readers this report the more interesting and important, is the fact that several names in the catalogue of Mr. D's pupils, are now enrolled among the members of this first Chinese church. Pastor Lee Sam, Goo Kim, and others are there. I do not think it would be dishonoring to the Great Head of the church to assert that out of that school has sprung this church. Do not for a moment imagine that I overlook or undervalue the Sabbath-afternoon-school at Fort street church, under the management of Mr. Sit Moon have been most useful, who has labored so unwearly and preached so constantly during the last seven and more years, under the auspices of our Y.M.C.A. Mr. Sit Moon and other Chinese evangelists have preached regularly every Sabbath at the Bethel, during the last seven and nine years. During the last two years, they have held services at the Lyceum, Sabbath morning, besides the Chinese have sustained a weekly prayer-meeting at the Bethel or at the Lyceum. THe efforts of the Y.M.C.A. in behalf of Chinese evangelization on the Hawaiian Islands, are deserving of all praise. During the past two years, the Hawaiian Board has again taken up the work of the Chinese evangelization, and I trust it will not again be relinquished for any consideration. The Rev. Dr. Hyde has most efficiently acted as an exponent of the views of the members of the Board.

The public has already been made acquainted with the facts relating to the organization of this church during the month of June, 1879. Efforts of an evangelistic nature have been carried forward in Hawaii, Maui and Kauai, as well as Oahu. Appeals for pecuniary aid have not been in vain, when made in many of the the planters and others. The plantation of Kohala supports a colporter, at its own expense. We could wish that the proprieters of other plantations might be inclined to do the same.

In referring to the growth and development of the Christian element among our Chinese population, I should be exceedingly negligent, did I not give a prominent place to their Y.M.C.A. This organization is purely of their own establishment. I am not aware as they were aided or assisted by any outside advisors, except in the matter of securing a charter from the Hawaiian Government. It has been in vigorous and successful existence for several years. It is a signally note-worthy feature, that the Association runs a retail store in aid of its funds. It is the second store from the corner below Chaplain Street, on Nuuanu Street. At one time this Association appropriated $400 for the purchase of lots in the New Cemetary, east of "Punchbowl." This fact indicates that among the Christian Chinese, there is an abandonment of the idea of removing the dead to China!

From a long course of observations and Pastoral labor among the Christian Chinese, I am fully convinced that those professing to have embraced the Christian faith are taking up and carrying forward all departments of Christian work to an equal degree with Christians belonging in other races, represented in our island community. I would add that I have been frequently called upon the Records of the Bethel Church I find 30 Christian marriages of Chinese with Hawaiians, or Chinese women.

In referring to the Christian Chinese upon the island, I should not omiit to note the fact that at least 100 Christian Chinese have arrived in our islands from mission stations in China. The larger proportion are from the Basle Mission Church in Hongkong under the Pastorate of the Rev. R. Lechler. Some are from the Rhemah Mission, conducted by the Rev. E Faber. It is an interesting and note-worthy, and most commendable custom for these Christian Chinese to bring the certificates of Church memberships. So far as I am able to learn these professing Christians have adorned their profession of Christianity with a degree of firmness and propriety that might be emulated by many professing Christianity as they come from America and Europe.

In closing these remarks, I would add that whatever may be the social, political, and financial views of Hawaiians, Americans and Europeans residing on these islands, touching the large influx of Chinese, one thing is certain, that every possible effort should be put forth for their immediate evangelization. The organization of this church and the creation erection of this commodious edifice, are things for which we are bound to give thanks. No effort in the way of schools and religious teachings should be neglected, but strenuously encouraged. I rejoice to learn that a Christian lady, from the United States, and she being one who has had ten years' experience of missionary work in China, arrived by the last steamer from San Francisco and commences a school among Chinese women to-morrow on these premises. I refer to Miss Payson, a niece of the eminently pious and good minister,of Portland, Maine, the Rev. Dr. Payson. All that has hitherto been done in behalf of our Chinese population, I think is only a pleasing earnest of what may be undertaken and successfully accomplished in coming years. I entertain the fond hope that a light is to be here kindled which shall enlighten, not a few coming hither, but even a greater number, now dwelling on the shores of Asia. Why not I? We have the promises of God to encourage us, and the command of our Blessed Lord, "Go teach all nations." If it is our duty to teach the lesser nations, surely the greatest in population should not be overlooked! If we are faithful in our day and generation then may we hope to witness the fulfillment of that prophecy of Isaiah, "Behold, those from the North, and those from the South, and those from the land of Sinia!" 49:12.