Secretary: Rev. W. C. Pond. Treasurer: E. Palache, Esq.
“THE CONGREGATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN CHINESE.”
Its Origin and Organization.
REV. WM. C. POND, SAN FRANCISCO.
Soon after our work among the Chinese began to yield results in souls apparently converted, I felt the necessity of banding the converts together for mutual fellowship, for instruction, and for test-work; for it seemed unwise, considering the difficulties under which we must labor in determining the genuineness of the conversions, to bring them at once to baptism and the church. Yet they must not be left quite outside the fold, and I proposed to them the organization of The Chinese Christian Class, into which any Chinese might come who, in the judgment of those already members of the class, had begun to believe in Christ. This class was to have frequent meetings for prayer and for instruction in the Bible; its members were to maintain a fraternal watchfulness over each other, and were to be baptized only when, through a probation of at least six months, they had proved to be steadfast and true.
This class at first comprised only such Chinese as had been led to Christ through the work of the Third Congregational Church in this city, of which I was then the pastor. Afterwards it was found desirable to receive to membership the Chinese connected with other congregations, and to enlarge somewhat the scope or design of the class. It was therefore reorganized under its present name, but with the same principles and conditions of membership. Some of the benefits, in the way of mutual aid and protection, which the heathen Chinese seek to secure through their “Six Companies,” our Christian Chinese, who have renounced all connection with the “Six Companies,” gain through this Association. Its rooms are their places of resort; a sort of home. They have made a little beginning towards a library of Chinese works, mainly religious, written by the missionaries. The regulations of this Association, prepared by the Chinese, without assistance or suggestion, so far as I know, from any American, have been translated for me into English, and will be printed in full in our Annual Report. I quote here the 2d, 3d, 6th, and 8th Articles:
“2d. Any one who desires to become a member of this Association must forsake idolatry and all bad habits, and prove himself to be a follower of Christ. He must bring references from one or more members. His name must be brought before the Society a week before he can be admitted, and he is received upon a vote of two-thirds of the members. He must himself sign his name, and pay the sum of two dollars as entrance fee, and twenty-five cents every three months, this money being used to defray the expenses of the Association. He is expected to do all he can to bring in new members, and to lead his countrymen to Christ.”
“3d. The members are expected to take part in the meetings for worship, giving counsel and encouragement to one another. If any member does wrong, he is to be kindly entreated and led back to the right.”
“6th. If any member continue in the violation of the regulations of the Association, after three successive remonstrances, he must be expelled from the Association. If he afterwards repent and desire to come back, he is admitted without an entrance fee; his admittance depending upon the sincerity of his repentance, as judged by the members of the Association.”