Progress of the Work in Hunan, China
By R. F. Cottrell
ONE year ago the revolution had driven all our foreign workers from their stations in inland China to take refuge in Shanghai, and the burden of the various interests in our mission work was thrown principally upon the shoulders of our native brethren and sisters. Some of us felt great concern for the infant church thus left to itself, and many, many earnest petitions were wafted heavenward that God would tenderly care for his own. Those prayers were answered. The war was brought to a close much sooner than the general public had dared to hope, and the latter part of February witnessed our little band scattering once more to their respective stations. In scarcely a single instance could it be said that during this three months of enforced absence the work had retrograded or unraveled. On the other hand, most of the stations revealed evidences of growth, our native workers were anything but discouraged, new believers rejoicing in the blessed hope greeted us, and new places were calling for the12living preacher to come and set before them the way of life. Reports of our good spring and autumn meetings have already appeared in the REVIEW. Until October of 1912 we had but one church organization in Hunan. Previously all those who came from the various places throughout the province and received baptism had united with the church at our provincial headquarters, Changsha. Since that time it has been our privilege to organize a number of churches among the out-stations. At Liu-yang we held a three days’ meeting, which was attended by about forty persons. A goodly number presented themselves for baptism, but as many had so meager a conception of its meaning, we advised the most of them to defer a little time, while they studied the gospel more thoroughly. On Sabbath morning four persons were immersed in the beautiful river that threads its way among the mountains, and in the afternoon a church of twelve was organized and the ordinances celebrated. It was a most precious occasion, and our stay with these dear simple folk will long be remembered. On the following Sabbath at Li-yang, six were baptized, and in the afternoon of the same day twenty persons united in church fellowship, officers were elected, and a communion service held. Churches have likewise been established at Hwa Yung, Heng-shan, and Ning Siang. The last-named place sent in its plea for an evangelist during the revolution; but it was not until May of 1912 that we were able to locate a worker permanently and open a chapel. We have just returned from a visit to this place, where we spent the latter part of the week of prayer, holding a four days’ meeting. In anticipation of our visit, and as they thought suitably to observe December 14, the day on which their first Christmas offering was to be made, they had the chapel tastily decorated with evergreens, artificial flowers, embroidered banners, and Chinese lanterns. The seating capacity of our meeting-hall is about two hundred, but this was far too small to accommodate the large crowd that attended the services. Ten persons presented themselves for baptism; nine of whom were accepted. As the weather was cold, Brother C. P. Lillie and I administered the ordinance together, thus shortening the time that it would be necessary for either to remain in the water. Nearly all the candidates were old residents of Ning Siang, among them being teachers and storekeepers. A large crowd of acquaintances gathered along the bank, and remarks were frequently made; such as, “How do they dare go into that cold water?” “How foolish!” “How silly to be deceived like that and suffer at the hands of foreigners!” The use of two small house-boats had been secured in which to change our wearing-apparel. As the time in the water was so brief and therefore wet clothes were changed at once, all had a good physical reaction, and could truthfully say that they were not cold. The spectators then replied, “Just from the water and not cold in such weather!” “This doctrine must be something wonderful.” One evening we spoke to a crowded audience from the text, “Come unto me, . . . and I will give you rest.” At the close of the service we made an appeal to the unconverted to repent of their sins, serve Christ faithfully, and come forward for special prayer. Twenty-five responded to this invitation, the most of whom had been attending meetings at the chapel for some time, and were people of education and good standing in the community. One man of the working class called out from the audience, “Is this doctrine for a poor, ignorant man? Can it save a sinner like me?” On being assured that the good tidings were for just such as he, as well as for any one else, he pushed his way forward and took his stand with the others, saying, “Then I will be a Jesus man.” The annual offering at this station amounted to $18.08, Mexican, and judging from the reports already received, we shall have a donation of at least $100 from this province. Of the three baptisms mentioned in this report, all the candidates were direct from heathenism, none having previous connection with any other missionary society. This gives for the year a total of sixty additions to the church by baptism, which practically doubles our native membership. Our Hunan canvassers during 1912 sold nearly one hundred thousand copies of the Chinese Signs of the Times, besides a considerable quantity of other literature. As a result, new interests are continually springing up in many places. We have ten young men in the Union Training-school at Nanking, preparing for various lines of Christian service. Our hearts are full of thankfulness for what God has wrought in this mission during the past year. The work is still in the period of seed sowing, and as we look into the future we can with faith’s illuminated vision, behold an abundant harvest garnered home from dark Hunan.