When Mr. Matheson outlined briefly the "ways. in. which. the relation was of asristaneo to. the ten he spoke of the Christmas fund ponwored by" the ""North-Chi Daily" News." "Tnmediately word "Teing" (*NorthChina Dail: News") way mentioned all" stood up. took off their hats, bowed, and] ave a cheer, while. from all' over slons'of gratitude 1 the foreigners the room entre. inéjvidual -expres-
trid. Chinese. of Shanghai for their Me, Matheron, mentioned the fact that hundreds of thousands these riesha man came to Shanghi from all ove China exch year, and the mission was of rear. service to. all and any. who appealed. for help. Indeed, it went ent. t> help the riesha man. Apart from being taught the municipal regulations applying to their work, the.-men Were supplied with simple literature rybody could read) and given simple health, moral and fvangelistie instruction and turn with opportunities for_medieal relief in case of illness. They were provided with food and clothing and they could sleep in" the mission hahs. In the history of the mission, not a single blanket ad been that this was the Sth of th Christmas Festival for riesha mea and the festival would continue enti Jam for 15 days alto-ether. Seva hundred had. been! served in Dixwell' Road that night] and 900 in Alabaster Read. Altogether, up to the present, more than] 20,000' packages of food and daily picees of clothing! had been distributed, but it was his hope that next year the mission would have its new building in Chapsi, which would be al serve even more. As this said Mr. Matheson, dealt with so many thousands all the time, it required 15 days in which to celebrate Christmas and New Year, so that all who came—men, women end children—might get a special Parcel of food, meal tickets, clothing In addition, Mfr. Matheson said:—As most of you know ever since the Riesha Mission premises were first opened in 1913, the halls have been open day and night for the reception and shelter of those for whom the work exists, The Mission's Work The meetings held here are always very large and we are pleazed to welcome men from many provinces, cities and districts far from here as well as the Shanghai men, The mission workers have been speaking to you and helping you in your homes and lodging houses, and in the open air. We have been doing all we could to help all who needed it, This work was began 12h years ago in the interests of the riesha men er hard] working men, because it was desired to give all of you a knowledge of the Heavenly Father and His me Son, our Saviour, and also because pitying the poor and sick} who have none to help them. We wished to do something to relieve them.
We have tried to help in some way, all who have come under our roof:
We have been celebrating Christmas, the Birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ, and there has been a good time all round. Gocd chow, -and many nice useful presents for alli which we were so pleased to be able to give.
Do any of you ever wonder where] the money comes from to provide all this food, the clothing and the Lresents and to pay the rents, light} and all the other expenses?
Thanks to Our Readers This gentleman here on the plat. form comes from & great newspaper '"office on the Bund, the "North-China ly News" office, which has for!
ight yenrs at Christmas time opened a Fund for this work into which " large number of foreigners ud Chinese put the money which enables us not only to have a gond time at Christmas, but helps to keep] the mission going all through the year Now T want you all to show your gratitude to the "North-China Daily, rs and to the people of Shanghai who contributed to the fund, ing the "North-China office to convey our at thanks to the kind have helped us. so Tiberally, with the best wishes of the riesha mission for a happy New Year to all of them. (All, without exception, stood up. " Some raised their hands, others clapped).
Chinese New Year will soon come, ord T hope may have the pleasure of wishing you all a happy New Year, so I want now to remind you that you, yourselves, have great deal to do with making it a happy year or otherwise, a great deal depends on your conduct, We have taught you to serve Gol} and obey His commands. To be peaceable among men. To opsy those set over you in lawful author-'To avoid those who would] to evil ways And, in your business, always and everywhere, to keep the rules the road as you have been taught them here. accordance with the will perceive of help, on huve received all that you are worthy
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.