October 1961.....This is the second issue of the Hong Kong Peak. It is our hope, in the Peak, to tell you something about the churches, and leaders, the college, the Christian centre, and the missionaries of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Swatow Baptist Church Swatow Baptist Churches in the colony number 5, with an additional 11 chapels, as off-shoots. Four of the churches are in Kowloon; one is in Hong Kong. One of the chapels is also in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Swatow Baptist Church was founded in 1948 by a group from the Kowloon City Church. For several years the group met in a water-front warehouse. In 1951 they purchased a four-story rice storage building, and established the church on the ground floor. By June 1955 this was completely inadequate, and they made another move. Their present (1961) location is in the very western part of the city. Their present membership of 255 is again crowding their sanctuary -- for which we are thankful in spite of the difficulties of securing space. This church is provided with a sound-proof room for mothers and small children, equipped with a public address system for use during the service. Rev. John Chen is the vigorous pastor of this growing church, having been called to the pastorate in 1949. He did not have opportunities for advanced formal school during the war years, but he reads widely and thoughtfully, and has achieved an enviable education through books. Retreat - - Advance July 5, 1961, Chung Chi College campus, 150 women gathered to consider "The Christian Home." This was the semi-annual retreat, a regular feature of the program of the women's societies. A Swatow woman, now teaching in a Bible school, held the women spellbound as she witnessed to the influence of a Christian home in her own life. She challenged the women to be diligent in prayer, for it was her mother's prayer life which had influenced her. Later the women divided into 8 groups, to engage in earnest prayer for Christian homes, and especially for Christians in communist lands. A "joyful noise" was made "unto the Lord" as the director of the Chung Chi College choir led the women in hymns and choruses. And joyful fellowship was an important part of the lunch hour as the women enjoyed bowls of steaming rice, vegetables, meat, and fish in the college dining room. The retreat ended with a tour of the campus. Situated on mountainsides overlooking the deep blue water of Tolo Harbor, the campus is a beautiful spot. The women came home feeling the Lord's help and strength around them, "as the mountains are round about Jerusalem." Busy in their crowded refugee homes, in factories and in home industries, the women in our churches find time to carry on 7 women's societies. A general plan is prepared for the year by leaders of the groups with the missionary advisor. A small handbook is printed, containing the aims for the women's society, topics for the monthly meetings, theme for the year, scripture and hymn for the year. Within each year there are studies on Christian work in Hong Kong and overseas, the Christian home, stewardship, and world events. One meeting is especially evangelistic in purpose, conducted by the women for unreached women. Considering that many of the women are illiterate, their response to this program, and their participation in it, are splendid. To say that there are monthly meetings and semi-annual retreats, does not tell the whole story. There is a plan for regular calling in homes to win others to Christ. Some women teach literacy classes, serving faithfully that others may learn to read. There are weekly prayer meetings for the women, and daily early-morning prayer groups in the churches. Money gifts help to support the Bible women, the women workers in the churches. At Christmas, special gifts go to the leprosarium, to orphanages, and to the tuberculosis sanitarium. The Nine Dragons and the Fragrant Harbor Hong Kong is a British crown colony. The address is correctly written, Hong Kong BCC (standing for British Crown Colony), or simply Hong Kong. To address letters to Hong Kong, China is not correct. The colony is made up of Hong Kong Island, and on the mainland Kowloon and the New Territories. Hong Kong Island and Kowloon peninsula were ceded to the Britain by China a century ago. The New Territories were leased from China for a period of 99 years, ending in 1997. Included in the New Territories are 234 other islands, many very tiny. The city on Hong Kong Island, although officially named Victoria, is always referred to here as Hong Kong. The name Kowloon refers to the city on the mainland, across the harbor from Hong Kong, on the Kowloon peninsula. Aside from these 2 densely populated areas there are many small villages and a few prosperous towns, both on Hong Kong Island, and in the 365 sq. mi. of the New Territories. Among these are Aberdeen on the island, Tsun Wan, Sha Tin and others on the mainland. Now, why did we head this section, "The Nine Dragons and the Fragrant Harbor?" The name Hong Kong means Fragrant Harbor. And the Nine Dragons? Kowloon! The dragons are the surrounding hills....very benevolent dragons we might add! Ling Ling Say Say ...which is, broadly interpreted, Miscellaneous ....Chung Chi College has enrolled 537 students. This college, the "Worship Christ" College, is a successor of the 13 Christian colleges formerly in China; Tung Hai University in Taiwan is also a successor. Missionaries.... Miss Sara B. Downer Rev. and Mrs. Loren E. Noren Miss Mildred Proctor Miss Edna D. Smith Rev. and Mrs. Hugh W. Smith | 
