Religion, ethnicity and race : the mission of the Otago Church to the Chinese 1860-1950

Abstract

The influx of Chinese goldminers into the Otago province during the 1860s presented a challenge to the European church, in that the opportunity for evangelistic outreach could not be ignored. Moreover, as the "heathen Chinee" allegedly posed a threat to religious and social mores, conversion to Christianity appeared to be the best means of combatting this danger.

This thesis seeks to explore the struggle between religion, ethnicity and race: the conflict between Christianity, with its associated social values, and traditional Chinese culture. It examines the nature of the Chinese experience in New Zealand, particularly with regard to public and parliamentary hostility. Against this background, the efforts of various denominations to confront the Chinese challenge are investigated. As the Presbyterian Church and their missionary, Reverend Alexander Don, were at the forefront of their Mission, their contribution is the main focus.

A formidable number of obstacles, posed largely by Chinese culture, severely hindered the effectiveness of evangelistic outreach. I examine these obstacles, as well as the charge that Don was a racist. The answer to the latter is a qualified one. While not without his prejudices, the missionary gradually learned to appreciate many aspects of Chinese culture. He also criticised the racism prevailing within European society, tirelessly defending Chinese rights. In return "Teacher Don" earned more trust and respect for New Zealand's Chinese community than almost any other European of his time. Although in terms of his own evangelistic aims the Mission might be judged a failure, as few Chinese were converted, in terms of this wider perspective Don's efforts proved to be more successful.