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A day on the Mission plantation
This evocative piece by C. E. Draper, who supervised the Sitiawan Industrial School, goes back to when the Methodist Mission invested in rubber plantations. It contrasts the hustle and bustle of daily labour with the angelus bell for evening prayers – a balance from which 21st century Christians can profit. ‘THERE are no spare moments […]
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School for rickshaw-pullers
Rickshaw-pullers at their Night School run by Foochow Methodist Church. — Methodist Church Archives picture. This unusual vignette of Christian social service 72 years ago is a good example of the mission of the Methodist Church in its earlier days. ‘A SCHOOL for rickshaw coolies is one of the interesting pieces of work being […]
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When the towchang was a distinctive symbol
Methodist Boys’ School in Kuala Lumpur. — Methodist Church Archives picture. The Rev Dr Ho Seng Ong, for many years Headmaster, Anglo-Chinese School Malacca and Methodist Boys’ School Kuala Lumpur, and Methodist Education Secretary, District Superintendent and Editor of Methodist Message, recounts his early days as a schoolboy in Kuala Lumpur. ‘I CAME to […]
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Pastors, too, must mind their language
A group of Chinese men at a church conference, circa 1903. — Methodist Church Archives picture. “A Chinese Christian” in the May 1915 Malaysia Message drew attention to the racial epithets used by certain missionaries, questioning the appropriateness of “Chinaman” and “Kling” to refer to Chinese and Tamils. In an editorial rejoinder, the then […]
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Saga of Anglo-Chinese College project
The Rev Nagle (left) and Mr Lee Choon Guan, two men who dreamed of turning ACS into Anglo-Chinese College. – Methodist Church Archives picture, courtesy of Ms Alice Nagle, the Rev Nagle’s daughter. Why forerunner of ACJC did not take off A LITTLE-KNOWN, but significant aspect of Singapore Methodist history is the saga of […]
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Early Methodist work in Java
Christian women and children of Kebajoeran in Batavia District. — Methodist Church Archives picture. From its beginnings in 1905 as a continuing mission to Chinese boys and girls who had been at Oldham Hall and Nind Home, until it was closed in 1928 because of financial and operational problems, the Java mission catered to […]
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My violin and a tiny Japanese doll
A touching incident that brought reviving cheer to a very sick Japanese woman is recounted here by Methodist “teacher, preacher, musician, artist and churchman” Joshua Baruch (d. March 1, 1967). DURING the time Malaya was in the hands of the Japanese, I lived in Malacca. For a long time no one dared to go out after […]
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A brand plucked out of the burning
THE five-year-old boy was asleep with his young siblings in the second storey of their family home. The quiet night in the English village of Epworth unravelled into a noisy and traumatic nightmare. The village was rudely awakened by urgent shouts of “fire! fire!” The house was on fire. The father of the family, who […]
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The Aldersgate Experience
A window in Wesley’s Chapel commemorating the “conversion” of the Wesley brothers. John and Charles with two friends are singing Charles’ conversion hymn “Where shall my wandering soul begin?” – Picture from Flame John Wesley’s ‘conversion’ LONDON — Wednesday May 24, 1738 – the date that John Wesley’s heart was “strangely warmed” at a meeting […]
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Aldersgate Convention 2003 trimmed
This book avoids going through “dry” history: It paints a broad and absorbing picture for the average reader. Worship Seminar and public talks cancelled, but Aldersgate Service will go on and will see launch of new book THE Aldersgate Convention 2003, scheduled to be held from May 21 to 24 to celebrate the 300th anniversary […]
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98 Cambodians baptised in river
A teenaged girl and an elderly man being baptised by the Rev Kevin Lowe (left) and the Rev Khoo Cheng Hoot (right) while five other youths await their turn. WHAT started as a solemn, serious affair of the soul turned into joyful fun in the sea. And who could blame the 100-odd Cambodians, young and […]
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The new Methodist Centre
An aerial view of the new Methodist Centre (top left). The ACS (Barker Road) swimming pool is in front of Barker Road Methodist Church. Oldham Hall is in the centre (background), and Lee Kong Chian Auditorium of ACS (BR) is at right (background). The Bishop’s Office. The Administration Department on Level 3. The Level 6 […]
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ETAC challenged to bring in more members
The Rev R. Prabhu (left)and the Rev James Nagulan presenting a joint report at the ETAC Session. – ETAC picture by RAJA NAGURAN of Toa Payoh Tamil Methodist Church. 26th SESSION OF TAMIL ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Nov 9-10, 2001 MEMBERS of Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) have been challenged to increase its membership. At its 26th […]
