CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY ARCHIVE

Section I: East Asia Missions

Part 10: China Mission, 1834-1914
Part 11: South China Mission, 1885-1934
Part 12: South China Mission, 1888-1934
Part 13: Chekiang Mission, 1885-1934
Part 14: Chekiang Mission, 1888-1934

Introduction to Part 12: South China Mission, 1888-1934

Part 12 continues coverage of the papers of the South China Mission covering the years 1888-1934. It concludes  the Original Papers with those for 1906-1934 and also contains the Précis Books for 1888-1934.

The Original Papers for 1885-1905 covered in this part comprise all the incoming papers sent to the Headquarters from the missionaries and mission secretary. They mainly consist of letters, journals and reports, but also include items such as minutes and papers of local CMS committees. The topics covered include: letters re health, furloughs, first impressions and itinerations of missionaries; the teaching of Chinese; more staff needed at St Stephen’s College, Hong Kong; call for new recruits as many missionaries had to be sent home due to ill health; plans of cities and for new mission houses; resolutions of conferences; reports of St Paul’s College, Hong Kong, the Pakhoi Mission Hospital and the CMS Victoria Home and Orphanage; memoranda on the Training College; a prospectus for St Stephen’s Girls’ School; newspaper cuttings; the Canton Christian College Bulletin; copies of the “The Chinese Churchman’s Year Book”; report of the Canton Union Language School; minutes of the executive committee; report on  the political situation and strikes in 1925.

The Précis Books contain a printed précis of incoming papers prepared for the Group Committee. It comprises the number, date, writer, date received, summary of contents, proposals for committee action to be taken and/or Secretary’s remarks. They cover a wide range of subjects echoing the Original Papers contents and also include extra inserted papers such as;  minutes of the General Committee re financial responsibilities of Colonial Associations; minutes regarding compensation for losses incurred in the Boxer Riots; papers re the support of the native agency in the mission field; the draft regulations for the South China mission; the constitution of the Canton Union Theological College

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