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66 CHINA MISSION YEAR BOOK.take the time and trouble to meet the Chinese in a socialway, to converse with them on all manner of subjects,and by our interest in their welfare to secure their friendship. If one man by years of patient and persistentlabour can succeed in securing the friendship of hundreds of the most influential in Peking and every one ofthe provinces, then how much more could be accomplished by an organization in which others of kindredmind may take part for the accomplishment of the sameobject ? The channels of communication with the leaders of thought in this great Empire have already beenopened, and we now ask others with their influence,wisdom and generosity to enter these channels andproduce a far greater impression for good upon thispeople than could possibly be secured by the efforts ofone person.For the development of such a spirit of harmoniouscooperation between Chinese and foreigners, there havebeen already organized in Shanghai in connection withthe Institute three special committees, the one of Chineseand foreign merchants to investigate conjointly commercial questions and to unite in helping forward the tradeconditions of China ;the second of Chinese and foreigneducationists and men of letters to investigate conjointly questions of education and scholarship and to unitein helping forward the enlightenment of China and;the third of Chinese and foreigners interested especiallyin religious questions or engaged in the missionarypropaganda, for the peaceful prosecution of missionarywork in China and for greater spirit of toleration betweenthe adherents of one religious faith and another. Therehas also been organized as an auxiliary to the Institutethe Ladies International Tea-Cup Club, for bringingtogether ladies of the better class families from among theChinese and foreign residents to their mutual acquaintance and benefit. This is an object that Mrs. Reid hashad in mind for several years, but, strange to say, ithas been more difficult to accomplish in this great busi-