A Night of Exchange at the Baptist Chinese Mission
A rare 1891 cultural exchange took place at the Baptist mission, featuring speeches and a feast that aimed to bridge racial divides through education.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The Chinese pupils of the Baptist mission school gave a reception to their teachers and friends Friday evening at 519 Yesler Avenue. It was the first affair of the kind ever given in this city, and, aside from the novelty of Chinese men singing in English, telling of their faith in Jesus Christ, there was a speech by Chin Keo, manager of the Gee Lee Company, and a grand banquet. Superintendent Thomas Babb presided. The school room is at the rear of the Wa Chang building on South Fifth street, but for the celebration last evening the hall at 519 Yesler Avenue had been engaged. The walls were decorated in Chinese style with large lanterns, parasols, and banners. In the middle of the room, suspended from the ceiling, was a large paper lantern that revolved. Judge Roger Greene made a few remarks and spoke of the differing interests of the Mongolian and Caucasian races, common, however, as to the benefits derived from Christ. Chin Keo spoke in good English and said, 'I take this opportunity to thank the superintendent and teachers of this school for the assistance they have given us. They have always been at their posts, rain or shine, laboring with our people.' The Baptist Chinese mission school was started about one year and three months ago and now has seventy-nine pupils.
“They have always been at their posts, rain or shine, laboring with our people. We have taken this evening to show you what their work has done for us.”
This article is a complex document of 1890s Seattle; while it reflects the mission's Christian proselytizing agenda, it also serves as a rare record of the Chinese community organizing public events and asserting their place in the city during a decade defined by virulent anti-Chinese expulsion movements.
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