From Wuchang. He has been here for the weekend. He left home after tiffin on Saturday, climbed the steps to the Huang Hua Lu and then walked the whole length of the She San. This is a People's Park under construction. He reached here in time for tea and then walked to the university at the East Lake. It is a very well-planned and impressive place with nothing lacking - the Christian Church of course has no chance of competing with it except in character and the things connected with character. They got back here at 7pm and after evening meal, H B R spent the evening talking to Fisk.
Yesterday morning Sonder[?] preached here to a congregation of about sixty. 'This is all voluntary now but I am sure could be greatly strengthened if only Chinese & foreign teachers & their families would get together as a nucleus & determine to make it go. This place lacks a strong headmaster, but almost equally it lacks foreigners with an intelligent sense of vocation [and] responsibility'. In the afternoon they went to Wang Fu Kou for the anniversary. They are a fine set of buildings and of course they had a good congregation. H B T told them they must "evangelise or perish". At least they understand now but if they do something about it is another matter.
He arrived back here and had a walk and talk with [W. Noel] Richards. He had evening meal with the Fisks followed by a school service of about fifty boys - very nice and Christian but a small attendance. One has to remember that it is all voluntary. He wonders how many [Kingswood] boys would go to church if they had a choice in the matter. Evening prayers are now held in some of the teachers' homes and they also have class meetings which 'appear to be popular, useful & well supported. It is just the question of Sunday & Sunday worship where things break down. It probably needs someone with his neck above the waters of affairs to settle down, study & solve the problem'.
H B R then spent a few minutes at the Osborn's [George Robson Osborn and his wife] and then they all went to the Fisk's for a sing-song. Mrs Fisk sung a solo - she is a well-trained and beautiful singer.
He stayed on this morning for a meeting of the furnishing committee connected with the new houses and then home to Hankow in time for tea at 4pm followed by yet another committee '& I think street-preaching tonight'. He hopes that there will be some mail tonight with news of what Emily thinks about the [Mission House] Secretaryship - maybe they did not tell Emily until it was settled. He calculates that the Methodist Recorder after May 27th will contain some mention of the nomination, so that he has at least a fortnight to wait before the news breaks here. [William] Rowley thinks that H B R is right but only the July Conference can decide.
[George] Haddon has cropped up again. He sails for Canada and England on June 4th on board the Empress of Russia. As he is stopping to see Pat on the way, with luck [Dr Alfred Wyatt] Hooker will be out of the country before Haddon arrives - he did not tell Haddon that.
Connie Pullen goes to Kuling tonight [for the sake of her health]. It has been a tricky decision as to whether she should remain [in China or go back home]. They will see how she goes on for the next month or so. H B R thinks that H. B. C is pessimistic about the outcome, the others less so.
[R. Debenham] Peck has got engaged to a Dutch lady he met some years ago at Westhill [College in Birmingham]. The business caused him some worry but the acceptance cable has arrived so he is now content.
H B R is planning a short trip to Tsinan and Suichow on June 1st. After that he intends to stay here until the Autumn.
The Rattenburys' family bungalow has been let and unlet.
Either Emily or the Mission House must send him a cable about the Conference [decision concerning his nomination]. A simple "elected" or "rejected" will be enough. It is no good doing anything before the final vote is taken which will probably be in the pastoral session. He hopes to get definite word before he goes to Kuling for a holiday. This matter is very much on his mind but he cannot help it.
The ladies have been "retreating" this weekend in two groups. They are more advanced than the men in such matters now. 'I think the Rowlands & the [London Missionary Society] are busy with Oxford Groups (so-called). These also seem to be much appreciated. Anyhow, people want somewhere to kindle their fires...'.
Notes
- Dr Alfred Wyatt Hooker (b.1878) was born at Putney in London. He was educated at Charterhouse School and trained as a doctor at St Thomas's Hospital in London. Hooker served as a medical missionary in South China from 1907 to 1925 and on his return home was appointed Medical Secretary of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society in 1927. He was married to Maud Mary Lloyd and had two sons. Source: Who's Who in Methodism 1933.