China by J. P. ANDERSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 25, 1909

China

By J. P. ANDERSON

J. P. ANDERSON

Just before I made my last trip to Moi Lung, I was asked to visit a place on the East River, called Pok Loh, about eighty miles from Canton. As soon as I returned from Moi Lung, I started, in company with a native evangelist, for this place. It took two days to reach it, as the river is very shallow at this time of the year. Sometimes our steam-launch would get stuck on a sand-bar. Then the boatmen would take ropes, and go ashore and pull it off. Traveling under such circumstances is very tiresome, especially for a foreigner. We arrived at the city after dark. After getting coolies to carry our luggage, we started for the main part of the city, which is located a few rods from the river. At the gate they said they would not let us in unless we paid twenty cents (Mex.). The regular price is about one cash, or one tenth of a cent. When they found I could talk Hakka, they let us in for ten cents. The night was spent in an old examination shed, which was in fair condition.

At daybreak I was up, and we started for the country; for the people whom we wished to see, live about ten miles from the city. It was a good long walk over the mountains, without breakfast. We arrived at the place about half-past ten o'clock, and were received like kings. At half-past eleven we had breakfast, which consisted of rice, bean sprouts, bean curd, fish, and fowl. This was eaten with chop-sticks. They enjoyed eating with a foreigner who used chop-sticks.

After breakfast we visited several of the villages, and announced a meeting for the evening. At 9 P. M. we assembled in the courts of a large ancestral hall. We had no song-books, so sang a hymn in English, after which the evangelist offered prayer. Then he preached about three quarters of an hour, after which I talked a while. We closed with singing and prayer. I counted one hundred persons, and believe that there were more present. They listened the two hours very attentively. I had to return to Canton the next day. They wanted some one to teach them the gospel, so I left the evangelist there for another two days, and proceeded to Canton alone. One from this place came and attended our Bible institute. At the last two meetings held there were about one hundred fifty persons present. There would have been more, but it is harvest-time, so all were busy gathering in the rice.

Just how sincere these people are, I do not know; but it is an opportunity

which we shall improve, and whether they accept or reject the gospel, we shall be clear. I hope to call there again soon. These are Hakkas, so I feel more at home among them.

RIVER CROSSING NEAR FRIEDENSTAL MISSION STATION, GERMAN EAST AFRICA

With the language I have done fairly well. I speak and read Hakka, and can speak and understand considerable Cantonese. I think I have found my life-work here. There are ten million Hakkas for me to labor for, and I pray the Lord for strength and wisdom to labor more effectively.

Canton.