YMCA in 1929

Appendices

A. List of Chaplains and Advisors since 1950

B. List of Chairmen of Christian Union since its establishment

YMCA in 1929

Since the Anglo-Chinese School was re-established in September 1909 with Arthur Dudley Stewart as Headmaster, the line of the College’s history again continue with a provision of secondary education for Chinese boys, both Christians and non-Christians.

Rev. A.D. Stewart was an energetic missionary. Under his guidance, the Chinese congregation in the Bishop’s Chapel, in the College, grew and ended up in the creation of a new Chinese church, St. Paul’s Church. It is reasonable perhaps to have a conjecture that in those days, the Christian atmosphere in the College might be stronger than in the post-war period.

Rev. A. D. Stewart

Headmaster 1909-33

Photo source: http://www.spc.edu.hk/profile/history.php

In the Eightieth Anniversary Magazine of the College issued in 1930, there is a report of the College Y. M. C. A. in the year of 1929. From this report, very valuable information about the Christian activities in the “Golden Age” of the College can be found. It is sadly the only relevant document in this period available to the author.

The work of the College Y. M. C. A. at that time could be divided into two aspects, work in the College and work outside.

In the College, there was a quarter of an hour’s service every morning. Every Saturday morning, at 9 am, there was a Morning Prayer in the chapel, with sermons given by famous speakers or staff members of the College. There were a considerable number of students interested in the Bible, and hence a Bible Class was inaugurated and was “very well attended throughout the year”(1). There was a Baptism Class for those students who were ready to be baptised. There was also a prayer meeting at 11am every Wednesday in Y.M.C.A. Office.

Besides Christian works, the College Y.M.C.A. was also responsible for a Debating Club and a Library. According to the report of 1929, the Debating Club suffered a very poor attendance at the end of the year since the senior members were busy preparing for University entrance examinations. The Library collection was small and required funding from the association to buy new books. During recess, the library swarmed with students, who went there to read newspapers, which were supplied by the school.

Outside the College, the Y.M.C.A. was responsible for the Tai Hang Free School, including the appointment of teachers there. The Association also sent some of its members to preach open air every Monday evening in front of the Fun Hing Wui building in Dai Dak Dei, with an audience of no less than a hundred every time. Moreover, by the kind permission of the managers of St. Mary’s Church, they held a service or Sunday School, for the four neighbouring free schools every Thursday at 3 p.m. More than a hundred attended the service each time.

Furthermore, the College Y.M.C.A. joined the Hong Kong Student Christian Association. Representatives were sent to attend seasonal conferences, which were held four times a year. There were also retreats, united students’ prayer meetings, social meetings and picnics, etc., at which “we have no reason to complain of poor attendance.” (2)

It seems to the author that the pre-war College Y.M.C.A. was a very energetic association with a strong evangelistic zeal and earnestly provides students and beyond with services in need. It ceased to exist in our College after the W.W.II..

Footnotes:

1. St. Paul’s College Hong Kong Eightieth Anniversary Magazine 1930, pg. 14.

2. Ditto, pg. 15

YMCA in 1929

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