Page
CHRISTMAS DAY IN
HONGKONG.
Christmas Day in Hongkong this year was favoured with lovely weather, the sun shiving brilliantly all day, making it specially suitable for those who had allot. ted the day to outdoor exercise, and a a result many people spent the day in the open. The golf courses, the tennis courts, and in one or
two enges
1
tho
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27TH, 1923.
WHAT CHRISTMAS REALLY HOLT-DAYS DEOPPING INTO MEKE HOLIDAYS, On Sunday evening we were reminded MEANS....
in a very touching and telling way, it STOP PIPING AND GET DOWN I may say so, how accessary it is that
TO BUSINESS."
our Christmas joy should not slop short A SERMON BY THE REV, J. KIRK of what it is meant to be We vere told,
MACONACHIE,
and it is always timely at this kason to hear it, that all the happy charities and kindness which are amongst us at the Yuletide should lead our hearts and thoughts up to the heavenly source from which they spring, and that we should not let our happiness fall short of the good tidings of great joy" which is
At the Union Church on Christmas morning the Rev. J. Kirk Maconachie strongly condemned the attitude of the generally towards Christmas World Taking his text from the Gospel of St Matthew, chapter 1, verse 21: "In His
Miconachie said:
CHRISTMAS CRIME. POLICE ON THE TRACK OF BIG ROBBERY GANG.
THE CHRISTMAS EVE ROBBERY,
The police are of the opinion that the last three big robberies committed in Hongkong during the past month are the work of one and the same gang-Pre- vious to Christmas Eve the gang are said to have had two robberies to their credit, one at a medicine shop at West Point, and the other at a bird shop in Des Voeux
orioket grounds being well occupied, yame "hall the Gentiles hope," Mr. what God's gospel means it means Road Central. In both cases the robbers |
whilst a number of people took advan- tage of the day off and went on walking tours over the hille..
Special Christmde services were held in most of the churches during the morning which were largely attended, the congre gation, "buing given the opportunity of joining in the old time carols.
CARNIVAL AT THE HONGKONG HOTEL
A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL EVENT.
Last night's Christmas Carnival at the Hongkong Hotel proved an unprecedented
SUCOMA.
The number of guests catered for was larger than ever, the accommoda- sion of the grill.room being taxed to the utmost: Indeed the management had to
Christmas hy general agreement is regarded as especially the household We celebration of the Christian year." find its prototype in the yearly sacri- fice for all the family," which-se-read of in the days of Samuel, when David
naked leave from Saul to go home for it.
The family gathering at Christmas time does not hold the place it once did, we are told, in English social life. It is said to be Victorian and Victorianism of course is worse than wickedness now- days in the eyes of some.
Holly and wisletoe and good cheer, master, mistress, children, servants, juin- ed in the common merry-making, is some thing we read of in the pages of Dickens, a picture of quaint old customs far too simple and unsophisticated for the taste of to-day.
Well, that may be so as a passing phase in certain circles which are much in the
anything. I am sure that will bear em phasising on any Christian festival that comes round. We do, need to see that in this matter the good is not allowed to become the enemy of the best, and that our Christian-boly-days do not drop into mere holidays, which are liable, unfortu nately, with too many to have nothing holy about them.
me
I like to have a service of praise and worship on Christmas day for that rea son. I believe that that is the reason at the back of people's minds which makes them want to meet for worship on
this day, and I can't help feeling sorry that so many of my good Scottish coun trymen, who are numerously represented in this Church, refuse to see it in that light.
They know I love then, and when occa- sion calls I speak up for them, and some- they won't take umbrage if I sny wo times get into trouble for doing it. So miss them on this happy day of the Chris- tian year, and wish more of them had it in their hearts to rally with the rest matter of early training and usage to a great extent no doubt, so my words just now must not be taken to imply blame or censure: one many wish a thing were otherwise without being condemnatory about it,
got away with big hauls. Another rob- bery committed on Christmas Eve shows that the gang are well informed as to where they are most likely to be success- ful in their nefarious operatione. This last robbery was carried out in a very cool and impudent manter. At about 15 p.m. two men armed with revolvers and daggres entered the Tong Cheong Medicine Shop at No. 5. Wo Fong Street, and held up the inmates. They followed the usual madur operandi nad opened four safes on the premises, two of them with keys. The other twq' they turned upside down and with hammer and chisel
cut out the bottoms of the safes and ex- tracted the contents. The operation must have taken about three hours and a half. The police have not yet ascertained the is believed to be about $3,000, including total value of the property stolen, but it some six or seven gold wrist watches, a quantity of other jewellery and two de-
resort to various skilful devices to cater light and therefore appear to be more of us to the House of Prayer. It is a post receipts for $1,000 each.
Tho
But
representative than they really are.
the whole Christmas still is and is likely to remain the household gathering for the vast majority of quiet folk, who do not haunt hotels and hydros nor disport themselves in country houses for their week ends.
Secing that the festival centres around the cradle, this household aspect of its observance is inevitable. Even those who make little of Christinas on their own
account recognise, it as the children's festival. I hear it said pretty often that it is all very well for the kiddies" but the rest of us would almost rather Christ- más did not come round, for eac reason or another, though of course the holiday as a holiday is always welcome.
But let me resume my main point, which really is the need for taking our Christianity at its rant, worth, and not just delighting ourselves or entertaining ourselves over it as a sort of pleasing legend or tradition,
When we consider the general condi tion of the world to-day the thought is forced upon us that the troubles in which
it is involved are in the end to be traced gospel for the reality which it is. Let your mind dwell on one aspect of the torrible facts, and the Christmas carols stick in your throat
buck to this very failure to take Christ's
J
ALMOST A MOCKERY.”
It seems almost a mockery to enjoy the sharm of those wonderful words and Well, let it be the children's festival tuneful sounds when all the time the by all means, though one might remark meaning of them would appear to have in passing that the ceaseless round of almost no weight whatever in the actual children's parties and entertainments aims and proceedings of the nations which we seem to be dropping into is which have somewhat overdone, so that the vary attempts to give the young folk pleasure fail from the excess.
Shortly after the robbers had left the
a Chinese, wearing a long coat and premises and the alarm had been raised several silk suits, was arrested by a con stable on a tram-car. These suits have since beee ideatined, by the inmates of the shop as being part of the property stolen. The man refuses to speak as to
the haunts of the rest of the gang. ANOTHER ROBBERY YESTERDAY.
for the large merry-making crowd. private dining room adjoining the grill had to be thrown open, whilst the lounge The Blue Lagoon" and the known as India drawing room close by were also used for dinner parties. Booking for this event has been going on for the past two months, yesterday the climax was reached when Mr. Norton, the manager, was re- luctantly compelled to refuse any further bookings for the carnival. The event was
THE FOLLY OF LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN. st unprecedented for another interest
At 10.20 a.m. yesterday another robbery ing feature in that an application to the Licencing authorities for an extension of
was committed, the place" of operation this time being No. 50, Chatham Road, the full licence to serve liquor refresh
Hongkong A cook-hoy, who was in the ments up to 2 a.m, was granted. This is the Erst occasion on which this has
house alone at the time, says that the been done and we understand that the
door of the house had beca left open and One of xamo facilities are to apply in connec
that three men entered by it. tion with the carnival to be held at
them asked after a certain mana Chi nese. This was followed by two of the Repulse Bay Hotel on New Year's Eve.
men producing daggers and the third a and called there moralar The cook-boy was bound and The grill room was brilliantly decorated for the occasion, one of the main features
selves Christian. It really is appalling, gagged and thrown on the bad, and the when one thinks of it, and little wonder robbers searched the place. Fortunately, that the whole thing should be rejected their haul was not a great out, property being Mrs. Harrington's table where a
That is just a remark in passing, and with contempt, as it is in some quarters to the value of $21.50 being stolen. The party of 23 guests were seated. This
I don't suppose everybody will agree with You and I know that it is not Christianity robbers made off in an unknown direc- table was made beautiful with a brilliant it, though it does acem to tax the time which is at fault but the lack of Christion and after the cook bad managed to display of roses. Other tables were also table to find a free bour for a Christmas tianity, but we need not be surprised if struggle to the verandah the alarm was tastefully laid out, silver snow, and tree, and it certainly is a puzzle to think those who know less about the matter raised and a search for the robbers took Caley's crackers being in abundance of something one can give to children say that if this is Christianity they want place, but without success.
which they have not got already. Now none of it. Tables were also laid out on the verandab I like as much as any of you to think surrounding the grill room.
Something of all the little stockings which were hung up last eight and eagerly taken like 130 guests were present. Amongst down this morning, ned I am as ready those who entertained large parties of for a romp with the haims when I get guests at the Carnival were; Madame the chance as anyone. But I certainly Laly, Mr. Dowley, the Consul for Chili, do not want the great event which Christ
mas commemorates to pass into a nur, Mr. Kadoorie, Mr C. D. Lammert, Mr. sery legend or anything like it. The B. L. Bridger, Com. Thursfeld, Mr. Church can by no means afford to let Chapman, Major Halford, Mrs. Hender the day pass just as keeping the cult of
time of baby worship, agreements cradledom, a son. Mr. H. E. Scrivon," Mr. S. C. Clay-ready as we all are to bend before inno ton, Lieut. Fendall, Mr. McArthur, Mr cent infancy and bring it precious gifts. Currie, Mr. K. E. Greig, Col. Robertson,
“To is a Child of Hope is born, Mr. T. Petrie, Capt. Byers, Mr. Carroll and others.
In addition to the tables the grill room itself was tastefully decorated the electric light's being wreathed in flowers, and feras, whilst the wall were covered with flags and bunting. At the entrance to the grill two Chinese silk lanterns were hung, making a very charming pretty
*fect.
EUROPEAN JUMPS INTO THE HARBOUR
To as a Son is given."
us,
between
COLLISION AT SINGAPORE. STEAMER ARRESTED ITALIAN
CLAIM BY THE GLEN LINE.
"
The Lloyd Triestino liner Fiume L. was "arrested at Penang on December 14th. It appears that while leasing Singapore the Flume-L. collided with the Glenamoy, which was moving into Singapore barbour at the time. The Fiume-L. continued on her voyage, and having left she could not be detained there. Acting on instructions however, the Marshal of the Supreme Court, Penang, arrested the vessel in Penang harbour. It is understood that heavy damages are being claimed from the Fiume-L., and until arrangements and satisfactory guarantees are made between parties the Fiume L. will remain under the arrest in Penang,
The Fiume-L. is owned by the Lloyd nett. She is bound from the Far East to Triestino Line and is tessel of 3,800 tone Trieste via Columbo.
The very words, however, carry the answer with them. This "is not Chris- tianity-this which we see in the strife, the batred, the jealousy which fills the world and seems like to turn the hand of every man against his neighbour. If Christianity were given its chance we should behold a very different state of affairs, and not until it is given a chance will there be any real improvement.
We get up leagues and pacts and
ard conventions jealous nations, but they are all like so many fences over the tops of which sus "another. picious peoples are eying one
are these international and no sooner documents signed than the parties to them are each on the watch to see the The feast of the Incarnation is degraded others break through them. An ounce or two of a really better spirit will go farther from its right level if it is made only an occasion for interesting and sausing the than a ton of cautions treaties to a children, and we let ourselves forget the vide us with a world in which quiet folk hope which came into our world when will be able to go about their business the Son of God took our flesh and dwelt in peace and carry on the world's work, which is now so much at a standstill amid among
What I have in mind in making these the alarms and excursions which, abound reflections-which somehow suggested
every hand "The heart must ring Thy Christmas themselves as the right thing for me to say this morning is the tendency to play bella," says Whittey in his hymn, and with Christianity altogether if I may most truly, for if the chime does not come put it so and dismiss it in effect from from the hearts of men it is but sound- But I know too that men and women are its rightful place in practical life.
ing brass from the Church steeple. That prone to hug their sins, and do not really want to be set. free from them, until at Religion altogether, and nut the Christ visitor from another planet who is so mas festival only, seems to be regarded often imagined as coming amongst us long last they are fairly beaten down and by many people as something useful for and showing us to ourselves as others disgusted with themselves for the hard- the training of youth, but to be dropped may be supposed to see us might easily ness of their hearts and the sorrows GALLANT RESCUE BY AN AMERI- like other school subjects after school be imagined telling us to stop our piping which that brings upon them. And I days. Bishop Lander used to tell when and get down to hasiness, to take a rest hope and pray that God is leading the dividual men and women, by the very he was in Hongkong how, bis little boy from singing pretty things about good. peoples of the world, as He leads in- asked one day, Father, when shall I
things like practical men in ways which them to understand that if they would A man named Gello Alberto, aged 9 be old enough not to go to Church 75/ will and peace, and-set about arranging aistress and losses which have come upon reap tranquility they will have to sow years of age and said to be an Italian, The child then mentioned so-and-so and are calculated to stir up goodwill and jumped into the harbour opposite the so-and-so, most of the grown up people weat the peace being broken.
apparently whom he knew. They did not The world will never get out of the righteousness, and that no devices of Telegraph Co.'s offices yesterday morn go to Church though, they sent their child horrible ruts it has fallen into until its man or devil can cause welfare, to spring misled this world. The greater part of ing at nine o'clock Asailor from oneren, and very naturally the little man inhabitanta coins to see that they must out of the selfishness, which has hitherto of the American warships in port, who inferred that not going to Church was bring religion down from the clouds and the power and authority of this big world
one of the privileges of adult life.
realise that it is the most practical thing witnessed the incident, jumped into the This kind of thing is extremely com on earth. So I believe, and I believe it has rested for centuries in the hands of water after the drowning man without mon; one wonders what parents think is more and more strongly with every year the Christian races, and it seems to me going to happen in the future, if they that passes. I have spent 40 years of that the Christ whose name they carry hesitation and succeeded in rescuing him, ink about it all. Sending their child. my life preaching or preparing to preach but do not adorn, speaks to them today Alberto was later taken to the Central ron to-Sunday-school is about all that the glorious gospel of the blessed God. by many voices: Why call ye me Lord. Police Station and the police are of the many people think incumbent upon then and it is unbearable now at the end of Lord, and do not the things which I in the way of religious observance of any the long day to see that gospel treated say? For can we deny, that His will opinion that ho attempted to do away kind, and of course there is but one result so much as if it were caly a beautiful has been fouted in an empty worship. with bis life. He did not appear to have to be expected, and that is paganism in dream, something for the poet to rhapso that His word is set aside as a counsel a couple of generations indeed we have dise over, the artist to exercise his brush of prefection, that in, short while, men suffered much from the effoots of the im-
a great deal of it already owing to these upon, the musician to decorate with have been ready in a measure to turn melody and harmony. I know and have to Jesus Christ for comfort, consolation.
not to
say coddling they have excluded mersion, but was suffering slightly from very excuses.
So what I am hoping to enforce is that seen in the hard experince of life that im from the strength of their prime and shock and he was sent to the Govern those of in to whom Christmas means the gospel of Jesus Christ is in very deed conceded Him a place only in the sick ment Civil Hospital by motor ambulance.. anything heyond just a holiday shall try and truth a power, power of God unto room and the nursery 1 By the sick bed Alberto bas been living at the Carlton to see that it means cadugh. Because if salvation to every one that will believe and the cradle indeed He is to he found, our Christianity means anything it means it. I know that the Redeemer of men Jotel for the past week and proviously everything I don't see box, we are to was not misnamed when they called His condescending to the weak and lowly and unprotected. But in the warehouse and he is stated to have lived at the Astor get away from that, and I am quite sure name Jesus, for I have seen Him save the senate too He must be anthroned. House. Nothing much is known about that those of us to whom our holy faith many from their sins, and know He is and crowned Lord of all, if all flesh is in a reality have no wish to get away able to save all if they want to be saved. ever to see the full salvation of our
(Continued a fast of next columem.) God.
the man.
CAN BLUEJACKET.
from it.
pre-
B
QUALITY TELLS
SPECIAL
DISCOUNTS
TO
CLUBS
&
SERVICE
TEAMS.
IN EFORTS EQUIPMENT.
WE STOCK ONLY THE BEST. “MCGREGOR”
FOOTBALLS & BOOTS.
SOLE AGENTS
FOR
SPALDINGS"
JERSEY'S
IN VARIOUS DESIGNS & COLOURS.
KNEFCAPS . SHINGUARDS
PUMPS
ANKLETS
WHISTLES
LACERS
SPORTS DEPT.
"FAMOUS
ATHLETIO
GEAR.
LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.
GREEN ISLAND CEMENT CO., LTD.
Best Portland Cement
SHEWAN, TOMES & CO.
GENERAL MANAGERS,
HONGKONG.
JUST RECEIVED.
NEW STOCK OF
CANDLE SHADES
RED, YELLOW, PINK, GREEN
AND
SHADE HOLDERS
AT
ANDERSON'S,
Powell
TELEPHONE C. 4578,
Itd.
PREPARE FOR THE COID WEATHER
For Children]
Woollen Underwear Breechettes
Coats
Scarves
Phoenix and Holeproof
For Ladies
Furs
Winter Coats Golf Coats Scarves
Silk Hosiery
in All Shades.