One of the most popular meetings of the year in Hongkong is that' at which the work of the Missions to Seamen is brought to a close, and the report summarized. This work in Hongkong is under the superintendence of the Rev. J. H. France, He has the care of a Church and two Institutes.
At present, however, he has a curate as fan assistant. The annual tea and meeting were held on January 3 and a large attendance. The usually takes the chair, and this year was n0 exception to the rale. The meeting-room in the Kowloon Institute was quite filled, and, by the time the meeting began, there was no standing room for any others. The Bishop gave " capital address and apparently understands the way to the hearts of men, but others also spoke, and the chaplain referred to the in. creasing difficulties that surround the work, inasmuch as sailing-ships are now almost all swept off the seas in this part of the world. Moreover, steamers stay but a short time in harbour, and therefore there is little time allowed to find one's way to the hearts of men. Only by paying visits to the ships can this be done, and this means constant work in s harbour like Hongkong. Still there was " dominant feeling of hope in the meeting, and all who were present enjoyed the two hours. No balance sheet has been published yet, and therefore itis impossible to say what the financial results of the year's working will be. Mr. France, it is ramonred, will be going home in the coming spring, and if so he will be greatly missed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.