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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND the thumbscrew, the stake, and a thousand these might be rightly expected. They should other tortures that nothing but a religious then be willing to make greater personal bigotry could have invented. Christianity sacrifices of time and money to hasten on the persecuted to the bitter end all indepen- dawning of a brighter day when their legitimate deat thought, which dared
differ wishes and hopes should claim a chief pastor's from it. To mention the treatment of | recognition. Yours truly, Copernicus, Galileo, and Bruno, is to mention the treatment meted out to all independent thought during many centuries. That intolerance wrangling, and persecution which the centuries expressed itself physically in past expresses itself verbally even present time.
at the
And why Is it not because no two seots are entirely agreed as to what Christianity is? Though all Christians profess to have the key which opens the doors to all the mysteries of life! Theirs is the true God, the true morality, the true religion, the true revelation! And though the Christians assume the very positions they have yet to prove, missionaries being sent out to promulgate a religion | which is fast being pushed into the limbo whence is woven that "baseless fabrio" of which "dreams are made of."
are
What is Christianity? Is it to live the Christ's life? Then where are the Christians? A Christian Bishophas said that Christianity as interpreted in the Sermon on the Mount is impossible in any civilised state. Count Leo Tolstoi, the one man in Europe who attempte to live this life, is regarded by Christianity at large as a harmless dreamer. Christ tanght that we should sell all we have, and give it to the poor.
He taught that we should turn the cheek to the smiter, that we should take no thought to the things of this world. Do the Christians of to-day act up to these ipjanctions? Which of them does these things? Not the largs, not the bishops, not the laity, not the missionaries, not the Pope. Then why do Christi¬ns deceive themselves, and why nse wealth to spread such a creed?—Yours, etc.,
WM. DAVIES.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE
DAILY PRESS.
33
SIK-As a new arrival in Hongkong I have been much struck with, and surprised at, the bareness and barn-like appearance of the interior of 8. John's Cathedral-the church of the Colony, and this same matter has been mentioned to me by several other strangers and new arrivals here. Why, we ask, are there no lights on the altar even during the celebration of the Eucharist? Why is the altar left to be the darkest place in the church, so that worship pers at the western end of the church can 18 an altar? scarcely discern that there
Why are the lights at Evensong so dim that it is difficult to see one's book? Why are the seats arranged so close to each other that it is almost impossible to kneel with any comfort, and entirely impossible for even a moderately stout person? and, again, why, when the Bishop is present, and officiating, does the chaplain pronounce the Absolution? Is this not contrary to the Rubric? And why-but there, the ques- tions to be asked are too uumerous to mention categorically, but are such as must-uggest them- selves to any Anglican who attends at but two services at the Cathedral. The answer to these questions would appear to be something like this: Because those responsible for the beautify- ing of the church and for the conduct of the services carenothing for any appeal to the senses a factor so essential in religious service and apparently little for the rulings of the Rabrio, which appears to be getting more aud more disregarded in certain limbs of the Anglican Church. I have read a good deal lately abou; 富豪 missions to the Chinese in the local paperst for conscience's sake, let us have some missions to ourselves first.-Yours, etc..
ANGLICAN.
8. JOHN'S CATHEDRAL.
64 DAILY FRE88.
Hongkong, 10th December. SIE, The remarks of “Anglican voicing prsibly a larger number of aggrieved than Church authorities imagine, are worthy of more than passing attention. It seems, however, the not uncommon lt of Anglicans in the Colonies to lament the lack of “glory and beauty" of worship in their local churches, even where
10 THE E. ITOR OF THE
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W. T. V. PIGRUM.
CHINA TRADERS' INSURANCE CO., LD.
were also
ANNUAL MEETING.
The 37th annual ordinary meeting of the China Traders' Insurance Co., Ld., was held on Tuesday at noon in the offices of the Company, Mr. E. Goetz (chairman) presided, and there present Messrs. H. Schubart, E. Ormiston, and C Michelau (directors), Hon. Sir Paul Chater, C.M.G., Messrs. G. T. Veitob, H. C. Wilcox, J. W. Ross Taylor, R. K. Leigh, F. D. Goddard. W. J. Saunders, H. W. Slade, G. de Champeaux, T. H. Reid, W. E. Schmidt, and Jas. Whittal (secretary).
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The SECRETARY having read the notice calling the meeting,
[December 14, 1903. Palmer'& Turner, and their valuations show ample margins. There remains one subject for me to refer to, and that is the deeply re- gretted and enforced retirement of our late esteemed secretary Mr. W. H. Ray, the circum- stances of which are, I think, well known to all of you. Mr. Ray had been in charge of the company's affairs since 1870÷a period of 33 years. In 1875, when the company was practi cally reconstituted, Mr. Ray was appointed its first secretary, and that position he held during the succeeding 28 years until recently forced to relinquish office through a complete and deplorable break-down in health. But, gentle- men, in the sound and satisfactory position our company stands to-day, Mr., Ray has left a fitting memorial to the best years of a strenuous life spent wholly and devotedly in its service, and although unhappily we cannot restore his shattered health, you will I am sure cordially support your directors in their desire to in some measure recognise his long and faithful services, by ensuring to him a freedom from anxiety in the years of retirement that may be left to him. I shall be glad to answer any questions you may desire to ask before formally move the adoption of the report and balance-sheet.
The CHAIRMAN said-Gentlemen, -The re- port and statement of accounts have been in your
Sir PAUL CHATER said Mr. Chairman,-I hands for some time and witn your approval we
think the statement to which we have just will follow the usual custom and take them as read. As compared with the previous year, the listened is one of more than ordinary interest. of some It is satisfactory to learn that the Directors premium income shows an increase $61,000, whilst the loss settlements, although have resolved to persevere in the sound policy of still heavy, show & decrease of $17,000. You will building up the financial position of the Com. notice, however, that we have had this year to pany, rather than increasing the dividend. It meet a material loss in exobange. This is due is also, in my opinion, much wiser to carry to our endeavour, in view of the instability of forward the balance in a liquid form, than exchange and the impossibility of forecasting to make a too hasty addition to the reserve its movements, to as far as possible keep our fund, which might hereafter have to be I observe that the leasehold finds equally divided between gold and silver, withdrawn. and this deficit is largely the difference of a building in Cornhill has been acquired between the cost of considerable conversions for the accommodation of the London Office, into gold made during the year and the but I am glad to have the assurance of the rate at which the sterling exchange is Chairman that this move will prove a sound taken in our books. The maintenance of this investment, and not entail much increase in latter rate at 2/- has been amply justified in the rental, I am sure the shareholders all join the recent share rise experienced. Ou the whole, regret expressed by the Chairman at the the catturn of the year's operations may, I unfortunate retirement of our late secretary. Mr. Ray, who for so many years served this think, be considered fairly satisfactory, but you. directors feel that the point has not yet been Company so well and faithfully, first as assistant reached when they can with safety, or any and then as secretary. The retiring allowance certainty of its continuance, recommend the granted him by the Board is, I think, under the declaration of an increased dividend to share-circumstances, one that will be heartily endors- Our first consideration must be to ed by the shareholders. In his successor, Mr. holders.
on a basis which Whittall, we have, I am certain, a man in whom place our liquid reserves will preclude the possibility through the coming we can repose entire confidence, both as to With these remarks of a bad year, and bad years are bound to come, of his ability and trust.
have much pleasure in seconding the resolu our having to again entrench on our reserve
tion that the report and accounts be adopted, fund. The wisdom of this policy of restraint and patience will, I am sure, appeal to all who (Applause). have the best interests of the Company at heart. After providing for a general dividend of 16 per cent, and a contributory dividend of 15 per cent. on bonus-bearing contributions, we propose to carry the remaining avilable balance to underwriting suspense account to meet all fur- ther claims on account of the past and previous years, and thus close the account. One new item appearing under the heading of London investu ents may be specially referred to. The lease of the offices occupied by the Company in London being close on expiry and not open for renewal, the necessity of securing other suitable accommodation has had to be coa- sidered, and I am glad to be able to inform you that we have secured the leasehold, with 34 years to ran, of a most suitable building in an equally good, if at better, position on Cornbill. The cost of the purchase of this leasehold was £25,000, but whilst the building acquired affords far superior accommodation for our growing needs in London, it is hoped that, after payment of ground rent and taxes &c., and making full allowance for sinking fuud and interest on the sub-rentals to be obtained from the portion of the building not required for our own uses, will reduce the net annual cost to very little more than the rental we have for some time been paying. Your directors feel that we are greatly indebted to the exertions and forethought of the London Committee and the London Manager in bring- ing so important a matter to so successful an issue. The item under notice is the first instal- ment only of the purchase money, the balance will appear in the current year's accounts. The properties under mortgage to the Company have, as usual, been reported on by Messrs.
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Mr. J. W. Ross TAYLOR-Mr. Chairman and gentlem-n-I am sorry to find myself in opposition to the directors, and my regret is all the deeper that it should be a difference of opinion arising out of the retiring allowance to our late secretary, Mr. W. H. Ray, with whom, I know, we all most deeply sympathise on the sad breakdown of his health. But seven years ago, 1896, we got $5 dividend and the reserve fand was raised to $1,000,0 0. Next year, un- fortunately, through no fault of anybody, the work fell below zero and an amount was taken, from the reserve fund. Ever since, while some of our competitors, through good management, bare been forging ahead we have continued to receive $96,000, equal to $4 per share. my lot before on several It has been occasions to vote for more generous terms by directors to their staff, and no one can appre. ciats more than I can the generous impulse which dictates this recommendation of the directors, but I think in this case really your generosity goes a little farther than the position of the Coгpany warrants. It is no fault of anyone, no doubt, but the Company has been marking time more or less during the past seven years, and I do not think it can be maintained that we are in a position to give over 10 per cent. per annum of the dividends credited to the shareholders to one officer-one of our retiring officers. It is quite possible that in future some other officers may retire and we may have to pay them money. I do not know that any shareholder will second my proposal, though it goes greatly against the grain with me to criticise an action dictated by generosity whose only fault is that it goes too far, but I feel compelled as a matter of principle and as
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