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The Rev Dr Ho Seng Ong:
A trailblazer in Asian Methodism Dr Tong Hoo Ing contributes to the Methodist Message as a volunteer writer. A retired neurologist, he also volunteers with the Bethany Methodist Nursing Home. He worships at Wesley Methodist Church.
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n his lifetime as a trailblazing educator and pastor, the late Rev Dr Ho Seng Ong used his God-given gifts in service to God and man, all for His glory.
were baptised on the same day in 1914. Six years later, they got married. Their union was blessed with four children: Robert, Edward, Mary and Ruth. The late Rev Dr Ho faithfully served in various roles in the Methodist Church, many as the first Asian and as an ordained minister. Among them were as the first Asian minister of Wesley Church, Malacca and KL Wesley; the first Asian Secretary of the Annual Conference; and the first Asian member of The Methodist Board of Missions in New York. He was also the first chair of the Malaya Annual Conference – Historical Society, President of the Malayan Christian Council (which became the Council of Churches of Malaysia), a District Superintendent and Editor of Methodist Message.
A Man of Letters Born in 1898 in Kuala Selangor, Malaysia, the Rev Dr Ho excelled academically. He was the first Asian Methodist teacher to obtain a B.A. (Hons) from University College, London University. Completing his Bachelor’s degree in just one year, he went on to get a Master’s degree (with distinction). The Rev Dr Ho had an early start in his role as an educator. At the age of 16, in between his studies, he started teaching at Methodist Boys’ School, Kuala Lumpur (MBSKL), where he had studied. He returned again to his alma mater almost 40 years later as its first Asian principal. “Although a man of superb talents Before becoming MBSKL principal, and ability he was a humble, he achieved another two firsts – the The War Years affectionate and compassionate After the fall of Malaya in 1941, the Ho first Asian Methodist to be appointed Principal of a large school, Angloman. He liked to help, as he said, family evacuated to Singapore, together Chinese School (ACS) Malacca, and of with 20 young ladies from Shellabear ‘the lame duck’ and to ‘help a ACS Penang. Hall (a Methodist girls’ hostel). After lame dog over a stile’.” After MBSKL, the Rev Dr Ho was moving into the Bishop’s house at 10 appointed the Methodist Education Mount Sophia, the Rev Dr Ho and his Secretary, again the first Asian to serve in this position. His son, Eddie, became temporary guardians of 26 girls at the nearby book Methodist Schools in Malaysia: their record and history Nind Home, where the Shellabear Hall girls stayed. (1964) is an authoritative reference on the Methodist educational Prior to the fall of Singapore to the Japanese, he and the late system. It is the legacy of a man who was the chief architect of Rev. S. M. Thevathasan were jointly entrusted with the affairs of the Methodist school system over two decades of the mid-20th the Methodist Church after most of the missionaries sailed home century. to the USA. Despite the harrying account he shared with friends of his A Man of God experiences during the Japanese Occupation, the late Rev Dr Ho As a student at MBSKL, the Rev Dr Ho was exposed to the was often heard saying “God is good”, reminding those around Methodist Church at a young age. In the Aug-Sep 1957 issue of him of the mercies of God he had personally experienced. Methodist Message, he wrote: “For something like six or seven He passed away in Singapore in 1965. Paying tribute at the years as a little fellow I studied and played and lived … on the late Rev Dr Ho’s memorial service, the late Bishop Emeritus periphery of the life and activities of the Church. … The time Dr T. R. Doraisamy said: “Although a man of superb talents and when I really made my entry into the Church was when I joined ability he was a humble, affectionate and compassionate man. He the Epworth League in 1911.” liked to help, as he said, ‘the lame duck’ and to ‘help a lame dog The Epworth League (predecessor of the Methodist Youth over a stile’.” n Fellowship) was where he met his wife, Ms Wong Hong Neo; they Photo courtesy of The Methodist Church Archives, Singapore METHODIST MESSAGE • NOV 2014
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