Delegates' Meeting in Shanghai The meetings the Chinese General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, which were held during last week, closed on Monday after most interesting sessions. As reported in our columns a_ large delegation of Chinese and foreigners was present, the former being for the most part housed in large, spacious quarters at 46 Rue Montauban where the meetings were held.
Various articles of agreement as to policy and creed were decided, and thus is formed the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in China. This body includes about 100,000 Christians distributed over many provinces of China Proper and Manchuria, and will in future meet every four years. On Thursday a joint meeting consisting of the Presbyterians, London Mission and American Board was called to consider the matter of Church organic union. This body elected two chairmen, one a Chinese and one a foreigner, the Rey. P. F. Price, p.p., of Nanking, and Rev. Mr. Kung, of the London Mission, Hankow. Questions of the most vital interest were fully discussed and after three days of consultation in which the Chinese freely participated, a_ statement of belief was adopted. This will be circularized to the various Presbyteries and other Church organizations for approval. If the three Churches unite they will form a constituency fully one-third of the whole community of Protestant Christians in China.
By unanimous consent the "Chinese Christian Intelligencer"—the weekly newspaper that has been published for 20 years and which is now widely read in China—was made the official organ of the joint assembly. Among the pleasing features of these meetings was the visit to the Commercial Press. This institution, which is largely the outcome of the Presbyterian Mission Press, is one of the largest business establishments in China with a working force of several thousand men and women and branch offices in many centres of China.
Motor cars were sent by the Commercial Press to convey the delegates to the printing works, where they were cordially received and shown over the great establishment in Honan Road. The party were then taken to the South Gate where tea was served by the ladies of the missions in Shanghai. The cordiality, friendliness and mutual good will among these Chinese Christians and their desire for hearty cooperation with the missionaries give great promise of the success of the Church. Their skill in conducting a deliberative assembly, courtesy in debate and: general decorum may well be a model for other Chinese meetings when ther they be social, commercial or political.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.