150
CARL SMITH
Mr. Legge and he discussed how they might work out the plans laid down by the London Missionary Society for the reorganisation of the Anglo-Chinese College in Hongkong.
By this time Ho Fuk-tong was no longer an enrolled student, but assumed, along with Mr. Legge, duties as a teacher.
It soon was evident he was not cut out to be a teacher and it was decided he should devote most of his time to evangelisation and preaching. In this he was a master.
The story is told of how, when preaching about the afflictions of Job, the audience became so enthralled by his powers of description that they began to imitate his dramatic gestures.
He did not altogether abandon scholarship, for he wrote Christian literature and made translations into Chinese. In this he and Mr. Legge worked together just as they shared preaching responsibilities. The Chinese congregation they served is now Hop Yat Church on Bonham Road. Inside the church is a marble plaque with a picture of the Rev Ho Fuk-tong and his wife Lai She.
It was agreed that Ho Fuk-tong should be ordained, thus elevating him to the same ecclesiastical level as Mr. Legge. The ordination service in 1846 at Union Church evoked a newspaper notice.
It stated that as a student of the Anglo-Chinese College at Malacca, "he seems to have acquired a remarkably correct knowledge of the English language." He had a dignity of bearing which impressed the reporter, for he wrote: "He deported himself with true modesty, and with a becoming seriousness which must have impressed those present with personal esteem, and a confidence he will faithfully discharge the solemn duties he has undertaken upon himself."
Ho Fuk-tong not only showed ability as a preacher and scholar but also as a shrewd manager of money.
A barrister, speaking in a case concerning his will, said: “He undoubtedly made good use of his time, money and opportunity."
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150
CARL SMITH
Mr. Legge and he discussed how they might work out the plans laid down by the London Missionary Society for the reorganisat- ion of the Anglo-Chinese College in Hongkong.
By this time Ho Fuk-tong was no longer an enrolled student, but assumed, along with Mr. Legge, duties as a teacher.
It soon was evident he was not cut out to be a teacher and it was decided he should devote most of his time to evangelisation and preaching. In this he was a master.
The story is told of how, when preaching about the afflictions of Job, the audience became so enthralled by his powers of descrip- tion that they began to imitate his dramatic gestures.
He did not altogether abandon scholarship, for he wrote Chris- tian literature and made translations into Chinese. In this he and Mr. Legge worked together just as they shared preaching responsi bilities. The Chinese congregation they served is now Hop Yat Church on Bonham Road. Inside the church is a marble plaque with a picture of the Rev Ho Fuk-tong and his wife Lai She.
It was agreed that Ho Fuk-tong should be ordained, thus elevat- ing him to the same ecclesiastical level as Mr. Legge. The ordina- tion service in 1846 at Union Church evoked a newspaper notice.
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It stated that as a student of the Anglo-Chinese College at Ma- lacca, "he seems to have acquired a remarkably correct knowledge of the English language." He had a dignity of bearing which impressed the reporter, for he wrote: "He deported himself. with true modesty, and with a becoming seriousness which must have impressed those present with personal esteem, and a confi- dence he will faithfully discharge the solemn duties he has under- taken upon himself."
Ho Fuk-tong not only showed ability as a preacher and scholar but also as a shrewd manager of money.
A barrister, speaking in a case concerning his will, said: “He undoubtedly made good use of his time, money and opportunity."
H
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