Miss Mildred Proctor

Miss Proctor is the main feature of this issue. To present her life briefly in these pages seems our best way of paying tribute to her for her devotion to the PEAK. The HONG KONG PEAK was born on her typewriter, and she continued to be the one who nurtured this little newssheet into its present standing. Our Hong Kong Baptist Mission will not only miss her fellowship, but also her keen literary ability to make make such a venture as this succeed.

Following a Mission dinner at the Shatin Heights Hotel on May 19th to "farewell" Miss Mildred Proctor, Rev. Hugh Smith briefly outlined her missionary career:

Mildred Proctor was born in the largest city in the world, in the most populous nation in the world, and in the most turbulent century in the history of the world. In her youth she was called by God to the greatest work in the world.

Sometimes I think we tend to take a person as he or she is at the particular moment in history in which we happen to meet him/her. I suppose this is only natural. And yet, how much more understanding we would have if we could only see others against the backdrop of their past experience.

She was appointed to China as a missionary in 1934. Not many people are aware of her great witness during those troubled years in China, of her interest and concern for the multitudes of underprivileged people struggling to survive through the bitter years of the Sino-Japanese War, of her work with the marketing of handwork items in order to help people to supplement their incomes and improve their financial situation.

It has always amazed me that the "old China hands," and I guess we would have to place Mildred in that category, were able to be so wonderfully resilient in. their outlook. Their work was never easy, as it is for us in Hong Kong today. They were often faced with forces which challenged their ministry. They were frequently hindered by events which were shaking the very foundations of the country they had come to serve. Their work was interrupted-not once, but many times. They were detained. They were confined. They were placed in camps. Their freedom was a matter for bargaining between nations; they were exchanged for political detainees; they were herded aboard camouflaged troopships and repatriated to their homeland.

And all the while they were there, they waited, and dreamed, and prayed for the day to be hastened when they could return to their place of service overseas.

We have heard how Mildred went back to China after World War II, how she served in the Philippines, and how she came to Hong Kong in 1960 to serve with the Curriculum project here. Most of us have only known Mildred during this phase of her career. There is little doubt that in all the previous years God was preparing Mildred for this important work. It would be difficult indeed to measure her influence. The Sunday School lessons which she has prepared have been widely distributed in every country in Asia. I was interested to learn that a booklet which Mildred wrote on principles of teaching Sunday School is being used by National Christians in the Middle East!

How does one gather up a career like Mildred's and comment upon it in five minutes of after-dinner conversation? Suffice it to say that Mildred has been faithful to her Lord and to His church, in such a manner and to such a degree that she has made a significant contribution to the work of God in the world. I can think of no greater commendation than this.

Mildred, on behalf of your missionary colleagues in Hong Kong, I wish you joy and blessing as you prepare now to enter this new phase in your career. . We wish for you many years of happiness and continued service for our Lord.

I was the youngest of the four children in the Proctor home in Shanghai. My earliest memories are of the campus of Shanghai Baptist College, which later became the University of Shanghai. My first experiences in Hong Kong were in early 1911, when the family traveled to the United States by way of South East Asia and Europe.

Back in China again, after furlough, I entered the newly organized Shanghai American School. After finishing high school there, I again went to the United States for university and graduate study. My major discipline was Christian Education -- the teaching of the Christian faith, especially to children.

It was in 1934 that I returned to China to work as an appointee' of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society. I lived in Shaohsing, in Chekiang Province, and for the next fifteen years considered it my home. The Japanese War came and our work and hopes and plans were disrupted, and I spent several periods of time in Shanghai as a refugee. In 1943 I was interned there for seven months, and finally repatriated on the Second Gripsholm. I returned to China and to Shaohsing in 1945.

I was in Shanghai again several months before the Communists took over in May 1949. A week before they fully controlled the city, I left by a United States Navy evacuation, being taken to Japan. From there I went to the Philippines, to Iloilo City. When I first left China, my friends thought I would be away from China only three months-or possibly six. It is now twenty-two years.

My work in the Philippines was in our Baptist Central Philippine University. The time came when graduates of the university could do the work which I had been doing. At the same time an invitation came from the World Council of Christian Education to undertake a new project, centered in Hong Kong. Thus, in November 1960, I moved to Hong Kong-far from the China of my earlier years, but still among Chinese people. My assignment has been to develop materials for use in teaching children and young people in the Chinese-speaking churches not only of Hong Kong, but of all of South East Asia. The materials are called the South East Asia Series, and are published by the Chinese Christian Literature Council.

Retirement? Yes, the time has come. After thirty-seven years under mission appointment, I will be leaving for the United States in June. - Mildred Proctor

South East Asia Swatow Baptist Conference

Planning and organizing a new program can be very exciting. Swatow Baptists began discovering this again in Tokyo at the Baptist World Alliance meetings 1970. If Baptists from around the world can meet in meaningful worship, study and discussion, how very helpful it would be if Swatow-speaking Chinese from South East Asia got together occasionally for the same purpose.

From these thoughts came plans for a meeting in June 1971 which would bring Swatow leaders from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand to Hong Kong for a three day conference. Carefully laid plans by the Hong Kong-based committee financed and carried through a very stimulating conference from June 11 to 13. In all, there were twelve delegates, but Malaysia was missing. An average of about 25 attended each session.

The prime mover of the conference, Rev. John Chen of Hong Kong, was voted to serve as Chairman for the three days. Reports from each field told something o the strength, problems and opportunities which face our Swatow work and witness. Work sessions were primarily devoted to ironing out a draft Constitution for the South East Asia Swatow Baptist Fellowship. This document then became the basis for electing a slate of officers and laying plans for future meetings.

Rev. John Chen was elected Chairman and Rev. Simpson Shih of Thailand, General Secretary. The next conference is scheduled for 1973 in Thailand.

A favorite Swatow custom was fully indulged in-eating. Between meals, watermelon dipped in soy sauce, and fresh pineapple helped to sustain us. Considerable time was designated as free time, allowing informal fellowship which was both interesting and valuable.

Our legacy lies not merely in dreams for our next Conference, but also in a twelve-page booklet heavily laced with photos covering all personalities and events involved in the conference. Most delegates also returned to their homes and work challenged to broaden their Swatow witness, and inspired by the vision presented in the closing message by Rev. Tang of Singapore.
 - - Harold D. Schock

Dr. Lam Chi Fung - - A Leading Layman.

Dr. Lam Chi Fung has been known to many Baptists around the world as a past Vice-President of the Baptist World Alliance. In Hong Kong, in recent years he has been prominent as President of Hong Kong Baptist College. Through the years he has been an active Christian layman and an astute businessman. His wife, for many years a partial invalid, aside from attending church goes out very little, but has been the center of their home. Seven sons and two daughters grew up in the home, one son passed away three years ago. Every Saturday noon, family members gather in the home for a "Family Hour" and worship together.

On December 29, 1970, Dr. and Mrs. Lam celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. A service of thanksgiving was held in the late afternoon, at which Mrs. Lam made the main speech. Following the service, one thousand guests gathered for dinner to honor the family. The entire family was present, some having returned from abroad to be here. Children and grandchildren totaled approximately fifty persons.

In honor of their parents, the family members gave HK$500,000 to H.K. Baptist College, and HK$50,000 to their church.

On March 2, 1971, at eighty-one years of age, Dr. Lam suffered a stroke and entered Baptist Hospital. After about six weeks be passed away. Not only does he leave behind a mature Christian family, but also innumerable people, churches, schools and other projects which have been recipients of his devoted love and generosity. Dr. Lam will be missed, but he will not be forgotten.
---Mildred Proctor

HUGH AND ANN SMITH with their four children left Hong Kong in June for furlough in the United States. During August they were the Mission Family-in-Residence at the American Baptist Assembly, Green Lake, Wisconsin. The Smiths will make their headquarters for this year in Boston where Hugh will undertake special studies in Missions at Andover Newton Theological School.

LOREN AND RUTH NOREN returned to Hong Kong in August after a busy furlough in the United States. At the Foreign Missions Luncheon held at the American Baptist Convention in May 1971, they were presented with 25-year service pins by the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society. The Norens sailed for China in a, converted war transport ship carrying 450 missionaries to the Orient at the close of the Second World War. They went to Swatow where they served for a number of years before the Communists gained control of the mainland. Ruth then returned home, but Loren was imprisoned for two years. In 1954 they came to Hong Kong at the request of the Swatow Baptist Churches. The Norens are the only missionaries on our staff in Hong Kong who have served in China.

JUNE SUTTON returned to Hong Kong on 19th September after deputation both in Australia and the United States. While in the U.S.A., June had the opportunity to commence work on an M.R.E. and to attend special celebrations connected with the 100th anniversary of the Women's American Baptist Foreign Mission Soc.

An Australian Discovers America

June, writing of her impressions of her time in the U. S. A., says: "I was distressed at the many problems faced by the American society, but heartened that the Church seems to be vigorously making an effort to bring about changes for good, particularly at a community level.

"Many older people expressed despair about the future of the U.S.A., but I took encouragement from meeting young people whose lives had been changed by the Holy Spirit and who spoke freely of the Lord Jesus Christ and their relationship to Him.

"The technological society and the impersonal business world have made many people feel 'cut-off' and unable to communicate with others. Groups of all descriptions are being used as a way to help individuals know themselves, relate to others, and grow in their Christian experience. I was impressed by group methods used by Faith at Work and Lay Renewal; but some other groups I encountered seemed only concerned with human relationships and ignored the presence of Jesus Christ in the lives of individuals which could help them to develop relationships with other people and grow in Christian maturity.

"Some ministers were using creative methods in the morning Church service in order to gain more participation from those in the pews. Creativity was also present in the programs of the American Baptist Convention held in Minneapolis, where banners announced the good news of Jesus Christ in the opening service, and a pageant signifying the sending out of missionaries brought the Convention to a close,

"These experiences, together with visits to American Baptist churches and Women’s Conferences and contact with many dedicated American Baptists who are concerned' for overseas missions, made me glad to be a missionary supported by American Baptists."

Mission Conference

As the members of the Mission reassemble from the summer vacations and furloughs and are ready to contemplate and plan their involvements for the coming year, October and beautifully cool weather arrive. This conflux of weather and need for planning provides the excuse for a "retreat," a weekend of conferencing. This year the Mission gathered at the Castle Peak Hotel on October 8th and 9th, from Friday at 2:30 p.m. until Saturday evening at 8:00. For the most part, the time passed in discussing matters of moment and in receiving reports on various aspects of the Mission's responsibilities. However, fully as important as the minutes of what transpired were the half-hours of fellowship and shared experiences. Whether a "retreat" or an "advance," it was a high spot for us.

Chung Chi College Library

Dedicating a new library is about as routine in the world's experience as christening ships or laying cornerstones of a public building, and most of us find that a brief notice in a newspaper is adequate coverage of the event. But Chung Chi’s new library ...!

Since 1963 at least, the library has been in various stages of planning and development-since the Luce Foundation offered a generous gift if the Government of Hong Kong would match it. The government dragged its feet a bit, of course. But this year, the twentieth anniversary of the founding of Chung Chi College, the library was dedicated on Founders' Day, October 29th.

It was named the Elizabeth Luce Moore Library, for the sister of Henry Luce. Mrs. Moore, who is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, was the main speaker at the opening ceremony. Many, many books in the library have been bought with funds from the UBCHEA -- so she was dually representative.

Moving books from the old building to the new one was quite a venture: The whole student body and faculty formed long lines to pass the books by hand. How long does it take to move 100,000 books? The first evening the lines were continually disrupted by spells of rain. The next afternoon and evening, with more cooperative weather, the books swung along the lines at a great pace. The third day, a small truck and a car (belonging to members of our Mission) carried some of the heavy items: reference books, bound volumes of journals, etc. When all the books were transferred, the Chung Chi community really felt that the Moore Library was their library. It is a beautiful addition to the campus buildings-architecturally, practically and spiritually.

-Ruth B. Espy