INCEPTION OF CHINESE Y.M.C.A.
1133
The Chinese farewell dinner to Mr. J.L. McPherson recalled the sterling work he has done for the Chinese branch of the Young Men's Christian Association in this Colony. When Mr. McPherson came to Hongkong he found the institution in its infancy, and was one of those European workers who devoted their time and energies to getting it to grow and develop into the present vigorous body that it is.
A summarised history of the Y.M.C.A. movement in the Colony has already appeared in this series, and taking the Chinese section we might recapitulate the essential period. The inception of the Chinese Y.M.C.A. occurred in December 1901, when rooms were rented in Des Voeux Road Central, where On Lok Yuan's restaurant premises are to-day; but the Association went across the road a little later. A move was next made to Queen's Road Central, into rooms on premises for many years housed the Hongkong Club, and have been replaced by the King's Theatre building.
The hostel at Bridges Street was erected between 1912-1913 and the new building opposite the hostel was opened in 1918. In 1929 the original Kowloon branch of the Chinese Y.M.C.A. at Waterloo Road was opened, and has since been extended considerably.
Out of a small beginning, in a little over thirty years, we find a big growth, flourishing and giving promise of further steady expansion. One wonders whether those who instituted the movement in Hongkong had visualised such marked success.
It is interesting now to read the newspaper account of that modest beginning, which marked the first step on the road. The following appeared in the Hongkong Telegraph of February 12, 1902:-
"The opening reception in connection with this important Chinese branch of the Y.M.C.A. here, occurred last evening. By eight o'clock a large number of Chinese adherents, and many European friends of the movement, had assembled in the comfortable and spacious rooms in Des Voeux Road Central.
"The Rev. W.J. Southam, the promoter of the Y.M.C.A. movement in Hongkong, introduced the President, the Hon. Mr. J.J. Boll-Irving, who in an able exposition of the purposes of the Y.M.C.A. movement in general, and of that of Hongkong in particular, laid stress on the great importance of the formation of character in youth and early manhood, and its necessity to the well-being of the community of Hongkong, which needed men of integrity for the great future before it.
"A speech in the vernacular from Mr. Dyer-Ball was very well received by the audience, whose appreciation was shown by frequent applause.
The Rev. W.J. Southam spoke on the purposes of this department, giving particulars as to membership, etc., and placing emphasis on the Christian character of the Association. He hoped that many would take advantage of the classes for Christian instruction, strictly optional as they were, and further hoped that the members would enjoy not only moral and social, but also mental and physical advantages. Applause followed Mr. Southam's eloquent and earnest speech.
"A conversazione, remarkable for its freedom from any stiffness, followed, and ample refreshments were provided, the ladies being to the fore in this department. During the evening Mr. F.G. Whittick sang appropriate songs, which were greatly appreciated; Mr. Sykes accompanying.