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Show Tongchou GENERAL REPORT 4t of the greatest value. Other regular preachers were Mr. Frame and Mr. Porter, and later, Mr. Chou. Each worker had a regular evening in the week so that it was possible to attempt the use of a series of related topics. Other preachers were invited to take an occasional evening and most of the regular Sunday preachers shared in the work, as well as a few laymen. The lectures won the largest audiences and were a distinct advantage in maintaining the interest for the other services. A wide variety of topics was taken up such as, Democracy, Sanitation, Practical Chemistry, TheOriginsof Buddhism, The Manchurian Question, The Sun, Ships, Habit, The Evils of Intemperance. College instructors took the large share in this work, but gentlemen like Dr. Kao and Mr. Kung also contributed. The city took considerable note of the series. The program could be found on the walls of many of the shops. The science lectures with illustrative material drew the largest audiences, and proved valuable in stimulating attendance at the other meetings. A large proportion of the average audiences was the ordinary street crowd yet there was a regular attendance thru out the season of well to-do and educated merchants and scholars. The series was well advertised by its friends, there was testimony to show that not only the whole city but the country districts as well, knew that something new and good was going on. From the first the work attracted young men. An interesting group has been won to take the first steps toward joining the church. The interest of this body was held and directed into more definitely valuable channels by forming a branch of the Young Men's Christian Association. This Association has been trying to secure the gift of a site for building, and its request for an old Ya-men is reported to be favorably considered. The year's report shows the names ot 81 who have become probationers at St. James' Hall this season. If most of these join the church it will mean that the membership in the church entering thru this source will be about doubled. Considering the time, and money spent on this bit of work the results are notable and compare with those secured in more spectacular ways in the large cities. Plans for the next season look to a renewal of the methods used this year with various forms of extension in an effort to develop more direct and intimate relations with the scholarly classes and the important business men. Two |