1936-11-09 — Page 7

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY AT CATHEDRAL Wrong Question Asked Ever Since Armistice.

SEARCHING SERMON BY THE REV. H. W. BAINES

"To Avert War Or To Make Peace"

i

A searching sermon on the subject, "To A vert War of to Make Peace” was delivered by the Rev. H. W. Baines in St.- John's Cathedral yesterday morning when Remembrance Sunday was observed. Collections taken were in aid of Earl Haig's Fand.

"ts with Sparti so with the Power States of to-day they sharpen their swords and subjugate their subjects into slaves and surrender their souls," said the preacher. "The fact is that ever since the "Armistice we have been asking the wrong ques- tion. We have been asking how to avert war rather than how Lo create and foster peace; and the very steps we take to avert it only increase the danger we feur mest. We have been, fear- ful and negalive.",

The Rev. H. W. Baines said

It is said of Lord Balfour when a young man that he made a vowW Lo read nothing in the dally Paper except what was of national or world importance. His purpose was to escape from descriptions of human death and disaster; not because his heart was dead towards the sufferers but precisely because the more tales of tragedy he read the less he fgit. He dreaded, he said, his sense of compassion grow- ing stale, his sympathy being anaesthetized.

of

Are we not to-day in much the same dilemma who fear to open our "newspapers lest we should read more ghastly accounts civi war or hear the menacing thunder of more warld warnings told by national oracles? The or- dinary man has become dull and Inacrsitive to news that A few years ago would have shocked him Into violent action or at least deeply stirred his emotions. This movement away from sensitiveness

is, of course, retrograde towards a primitiva callousness, and a sign that we cannot learn the Christian "lesson that we are members both personally and nationally one of "another. And the pathetic result

of it is that in the frightful con- fusion of our time people tend to say that no principle of action stand out beyond self interest at any given moment. For a moment to accept this counsel is to despair of God and of a moral universe

altogether: it is to feed the mind

on a diet that makes it ready to run to extremes.

on

THREE COURSES OF ACTION Preaching

Remembrance Sunday last year I said that there seemed to me to be three courses of action which a Christian - at- titude prompted in the internation- al' situation. First the readiness of any nating tu accept the find- ings of a fully accredited international tribunal such as the League of Nations in cases where it was involved Itsoif: secondly to *recognise that the observance of the Covenant would make neutral- ity in certain circumstances wrong: and thirdly to work for the con-, trol if not the national monopoly of the manufacture of armaments. In the last twelve months each of

these hopes has been denied; al though the last has been brought nearer in our own country.

-OS

0

are rite in the world to-day we set this Christian tradition. But the Christian cannot work in vacuum and the Ideal lution. the establishing the reign of God and man free in His service, has got to be made actual and rent in the world we know.

Inst

of

of

POWER STATES MENACE What is the background? What is the raw material aut of which the Kingdom is to be wrought?" The must prominent feature in it is the Christian tradition is menaced by the Power States. ruthlessly sacrifieing all values und all compunction for human right

to "organised military emclency. That experiment has been tried before. It was the re- action of the State of Sparta when it found its tradition of life threa- tened by internal dangers. And how much has Sparta to its credit? It destroyed Athens and that was all. Itself barren, it killed that noblest ex- periment 2 living that the world

knew.

and external

It appears then that the Chris- Bian and what I believe to be fun- damentally the British tradition has got to join issue with a world mentality which has become so

deadened

and battered that it readily runs to extremes and also the fact that in some parts of the world extremes have already been reached;

have

and where they been reached it becomes daily

more true that the steps which have been taken and are being taken to defend national inheri- tance result in there being nothing to defend or in their, ceasing to be worth defending. As with Sparta so with the Power States of to-day, they sharpen their words and sub- jugate their subjects into slaves and surrender their souls,

WRONG QUESTION

The fact is that ever since the Armistice we have been asking the wrong question. We have been asking how to avert war rather than how to create and foster

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1936. ANTI-MUI TSAI SOCIETY

STREET

WATERING

Questions To Be Asked To-morrow

AT URBAN COUNCIL

The following is the agenda of the fortnightly meeting of the Urban Council, to be held to morrow.

Dr. R. A. de Castro Basto, par suant to notice, will 'nsk:-

(1) Has the Government per- manently abandoned the practice of watering the streets in this Colony?

Continued From Page 6)

efforts, verfect confidence and un- daunted courage on our part.

May I quote an instance of slave-freeing from Acts 18:18-237 The slave-girl at issue was one re sembling our poor mul tsals hare in several instances: First, she had to render services to several

masters just as the domestic mul tsa's here serving different mem- bers of a family. Then she had to earn money for her joint mas- ters. Now in Hong Kong we find that some slave-owners keep mut tsats especially blind girls as sing- song beggars. Moreover,

In accordance with the laws of Hong Kong, registration is applied to births, deaths, the purchase of arms, and even to the keeping of dogs, and yet we have not heard of any public cry against it. Should we regard human beings as interior to dogs or inanimate ob jects? It may be recalled that, fourteen years ago the voices against the registration of mui tsai were most insistent and threaten ing. but humanity has made an overwhelming conquest over the formidable forces of conservation. It will be remembered that not very long ago, the British Govern-slave-girls are sold as concutines. ment rent a Mụi Tsal Commission to Hong Kong to investigate the existing condition of the mui tsal (3) If fresh water is not avail-system. The Commission had ar- able throughout the year for this ranged.two interviews with the re- purpose, could not a mixture or presentative of this Society, Dr. fresh and sea water be used in Yeung Shiu Chuen, in which many

enquiries were addressed to our re presentative. This shows that the English Government is much con- cerned with the problem. It is hoped that the Commission will furnish the Home

(2) Is it not feasible to resume it' by the employment of water

carts?

stead?

(4) If it is thought that water would make the streets slippery, is it not possible to flush them at night?

Correspondence relative to the appointment of the officers to act ader Ordinance 8 of 1935 (section 2), and to act as Food Officers under Ordinance 13 of 1935 (section 21

"Application for a food factory licénce for No. 5, Tung Tak Lane. ground floor..

Application for a food factory licence for No. 7. Tung Tak Lane. ground floor

小

Application for a food factory Hicence for No. 8. Tung Tak Lane, ground floor.

Application for 2 food shop. licence for No. 7. Wing Fung Street, ground oop.

#

Application for a food preserving licence for "No. 9, Queen's Street, third floor.

Government

with the data obtained from their first-hand Information and obser- vation, and as a result, the legis lation

for the registration of adopted daughters will be acted

that the mul system will be wiped out, and the vestige of barbarlem varnished forever,

en-

tsal

'CASES DEALT WITH The following mul taal cases were

deals with by this Society this year:

Three reports were sent to the made, no traces of the persons con- Society, but when enquiries were cerned could be found. One report was sent to the S.C.A. by this Bo- ciety, and the mul taal concerned obtain freedom and wages from her mistress. Another report was sent to the 8.C.A, and in consequence

mistress.

The Society received two re- ports, but was unable to make any enquiries.

these things have their political the mui taal was sent to Fo Leg analogy. The contemporary dicta-Kuk, and penalty inflicted on the tors are symptoms. They are like the Caesars of the camp in the days when the Empire was break- ing up, raised to the purple by dia affected legions and knowing no art of government but the firing squad; and that is rather in an ominous parallel. But their only significance is that they were symptoms of a demoralised society; and the only constructive way of dealing with them or of dealing

with the international turmoil in which we and ourselves is to dis- cover the causes of demoralisation adventures of co-operation in re- and to meet them with creative

·

search and cure.

ir

EXAMPLE FROM SCIENCE Sclence gives us the example we need. It is impossible to think of national medicine or of Aryan dentistry or of the restriction of the cure of tuberculosis to the one race which discovers it. There is overcrowding of hospitals but is there ever an appeal from one hard pressed unit of the medical profession to another tha. is not immediately answered if it is hu- manly possible without gard for nationality? Why?

Let us then get down to making peace in the name of the Fallen and of their grandchildren by ininding our own business well and setting our own house in order and doing what we can to build Jeru salem in England's green and pea- sant land and in every outpost

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A case of unregistered mul taal was reported, and as a result the mistress was punished.

A report sent by this Society to the S.C., and the mistress fied when enquiries were made.

the S.C.A. reported that they were There were two cases in which

adopted daughters,

There was a

case in which no

suficient evidence could be obtain ed Here was another case in

which the mul taai concerned was sent to Po Leung Kuk by order of the S.C.A.

Mr. Mak Mui-sang said:-I am glad to have been called upon to. speak at this annual meeting. The year under review has been, as we all know, one of activities, though success aimed at is still pretty far ahead.

two-

some

In spite of the Philippian law granting special privileges to šlave- owners St Paul was yes brave enough to deprive the slave-giri of her ventriloquism thus causing her masters great Anancial loss. And It was only by crippling her power of "fortune-telling that she could have hopes of restoring har free- dom.

How much less have we done than Paul when we consider that we are now under circumstances much more favourable to do our emancipation work!

Arise! members of our associa- tion. let us be brave to give a faithful response to the claim of the helpless mui tsais!

The Chairman, Mr. Wong Chun i Kan, said: We are gathered here to-night to hold the Annual Meet- ing of this Society. It may be re- called that this Society was found- ed in July, 1921, and the inaugura- tion ceremony took place on 26th March, 1922. Since then, no less than fifteen general meetings have been held. During this period, the their utmost for the emancipation members of this Society have done

of mui tsais,' and as a result, a good number of have been restored to their parents ar set free. Thus we may say that this Society has not existed in vain.

SPALDING

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their utmost for the emancipation LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

these unfortunates

But we much regret to mention

that there are still a great num- bondage through their 'owners' ber of mui tsals who remain in

evasion of the law by representing thereby avoiding registration. We them to be adopted daughtera

are strongly of the conviction that, unless adopted daughters are also registered, mul tsals will always remain with us and the evil can- The eman- cipation of mut tsals ha puly been not be eradicated.

partially achieved, and we have still to struggle along to carry on the Mut Tsal Commission when the work. The Society welcomed they arrived in Hong Kong and our representatives duly appeared before them to give evidence in this meeting. I wish to draw your attention to the following matters: (1) It is sincerely hoped that those

who report cases of fl- treatment will give ample details and also their real names.

(2) Members are earnestly re- Of course, with the close co-

quested to make it their duty to operation of the government, the acquaint the public with our aims. generous support of the local pa-

(3) We sincerely hope that the pers, and the unanimous appre-

government will soon see fit to pass ciation of our efforts by the public, an Ordinance for the registration of adopted daughters, so that the we should in no way see that the facilities of uprooting such a base

various fraudulent devises so often aystem

sa girl-slavery are too successfully practised by, mul tsal limited.

owners may be guarded against What then hinders our work and completely frustrated.

that that hindrance 18 of a trum full growth? May I presume day when "mut taai" will become May we all look forward to the fold character? (1) The slave a thing of the past, when these owners have been keeping mut unfortunate girls will see the light daughters; (2) We have been too of humanity. mild to bring out the efficient mea- sure to deal with such a living evil.

ages ago. In many places it suc- Giri-slavery had its origin long cumbed to death after a severe struggle. In others too it easily died a natural death. But the local mut tsal system, I can assure you, cannot be abolished without due

MRS. TAMARA KRUGLIAK- Representative

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from

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have just arrived with a big Selection of

Fur-Coats Neck-Pieces

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Show Room 1st Floor Gloucester Hotel.

uf her Empire. Not in Insular iso-tsals under the pretence of adopted of day and enjoy all the blessings THE TAIKOO DOCKYARD & ENGINEERING

Peace; and the very steps we take to avert it only increase the dan- ger we fear most. We have been fearful and negative. And the failure of the negative way is the failure of the League of Nations which was born out of fear and engendered by precaution. It ser- CHRISTIAN SPIRIT

ves no purpose to mark how the lation but in inevitable co-opera- There is no wonder then that exhausted world at the end of the

tion. Let us face up to the econo- even the Christian spirit has been war sowed the seed in the Peace inlc cause of world-wide demora- tempted to yield to fatalism and Treaties of a quarter of

a cen- Bastion. We aren't beginning to pessimism.

tury's increasing bitterness. We take our problem seriously or But through this cloud of weary disillusion and the thought that savagery and milit-

co-operate with God's Will till we sense of futility that accompanies arism were destroyed; but what

start to grapple with 'economic was done to evoke and foster a grievances. at it for me at least, Armistice Day

home and try to new split of creative understand- and our way to a new system of nas loomed thead and I have known that I should have to face and liberty? The evacuated administering,colonial territories the challenge of the Fallen.

house was left empty; and within a spirit of international trustee- no vital faith in a power of heal-ship,-which is not the same thing ing and renewal it was powerless as the crude suggestion of hand- to resist the suggestions of doing over natives to dictatorship: moralisation and despair; and and needs far more patience and

seven other spirits yet more force. of terror, hatred, violence, cruelty. thronged into the still empty house 111 the last state was almost worse than the first. --

far more sacrifice.

FERMANENT NEUTRALITY In a recent remarkable book Mr. Wickham Steed, writing with the mature wisdom of a man who has

cognise, and respect without inter ference but with sympathy, the difficulties of other nations. What we need is the driving power of a new ambition to obey God's Will and to make this world at for His Kingdom. We need that more

OFFICIALS ELECTED

The following were elected to be

Anti-Mui Thai Society, from whom the General Committee of the the officials for 1936-1937 will be chosen :-

Mr. &. F. To, Mr. Ng Book Mun, Mr. Chuk Yan Ko, Mr. Ma Iu Tung, Mr. Wong Fat Kui, Mr. Ho Hing Chuen, Dr. Fok Wing Kun. Dr. Chow Wal Cheung, Mr. Yeung Mr. Li Ka Fun, Miss Alice Kwok, Shui-chuen, Mr. Mak Mut Sang.

Mr. 8in Tek-ling, Mr. Wong Kam ying, Mr. Wong Bun-kan, Rey, Ho Sum-yu, Mr. Cheung Kut Ching. Mr, J. D. Bush, Mr. Lam Chi-fung, Mr. Wong Sze-iin, Dr. Sin Lok

Is it not plain that we are being spent a life-time very near the than to be terrified by the unutter: Bang, Miss 8. F. Tso, Mr. Fu Bal-

of events to see, in the goodness and severity of God, the more con- active and positive ways by which He wills new life for

world.

I was too young to be personally involved in the Great War but in common with the rest of my ge neration I cannot be dear to the meaning of the sacrifice that was made both by those who returned and those who did

not. whom we solemnly honour to-day and shall particularly remember on. Armistice Day. These men gare their lives in the cause of freedom driven by the relentless disciplin and human dignity and interna Honal justice. It is the proud boast of Britain that it stands for the same tradition in the world to-day. And we are challenged by the Flanders Poppies to ask how far we are keeping the trust for which they thought life itself a price not too great to be paid. I believe that whether consciously or not our elder brothers would have said that the cause for which they risked their lives, the cause of freedom and human dignity and international Justice can only be sustained by faith in God and lo- rally to the spirit of Christ Jesus.

Against the savagery, therefore, and despair in humanity which

centre of British and international affairs, said that in the present organisation of international so- clety permanent neutrality in all circumstances was impossible. The same is true in the realm of con- PERMANENT SOLUTION. science. It is not enough to say If a mad dog gets loose we must that you are not a dictator or a shoot it. If there are many mad Jew-bafter it is not enough to say dogs about it is wise to give the that you are not a communist nor police revolvers; for the time be a pacifist; it will only begin to be ing that will protect the populace, enough when you can say that in But as the British soldier, sailor the name of Christ your are doing and airman would be the first to your bit to make peace, to create admit, that won't be any perman- good living as well as to avert war. ent solution. I won't prevent dogs | Let us get down to our own do going mad. The constructive way mestic, economic and social af- to deal with the situation is to find fairs and let everybody put his out the cause of rables and or shoulder to the wheel in the name gane preventative measures. And of the Carpenter and let us re-

yuk-mal, Mr. Li Ran Yan Rev. si, Mr. C. G. Anderson, Mids Wong Tsung Hi-ngok, Mr. Wong Chung- hot, Miss Kitty Woo, Rey. Wong

Oi-tong.

able pictures of what the next war will be like. He that is not with me is against me" Our world is leaderless unless Christ be its led der. Our civilisation is aimless un- less Christ's Kingdom be its ob jective. I earnestly believe that Gur own fellow citizens (and many others on both sides no doubt)

FELL IN HARBOUR

when they died to make England. or wherever else it was, safe for Wong Nan, aged 58, was removed According to a police report. worthy lives lived in good homes to the Kowloon Hospital suffering amidal industrious freedom, were from immersion after he had ac not looking for a prize very difcidentally fallen into the harbour ferent from that for which Jesus from the ferry launch Man Wai Daid the same price. Unless Christ after she had left the Hong Kong be our King" too and his kingdom wharf shortly after 8 p.m. on our destiny also we are without Saturday, The man was rescued hope. Beneath His banner there by Leung Yin, a seaman aboard the is no end, to hope."

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