Conversion and Christian Work in Hunan

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 31, 1908

Conversion and Christian Work in Hunan

THE first Protestant missionary to enter Chang-sha, the capital of the long-closed province of Hunan, China, was a Mr. Dick, who, in 1886, actually succeeded in entering the city, but was compelled to leave a short time afterward, under official escort. No other foreigner visited this city again for ten long years. Christianity first obtained a foothold in the province of Hunan at Hankow. Here, in 1892, a church was organized, and Dr. Griffith John baptized about twelve Hunanese. Among these converts was a very wild and wicked native of Chang-sha, named P'eng. He returned to his home in Chang-sha, and began work for his relatives and friends. So remarkable was his conversion and the fruits from it, and so earnestly did he labor, that he was likened unto Paul by his brethren, and so effective was his labor and influence, that one of his old companions in vice, a publisher of vile pamphlets, left Chang-sha and journeyed to Hankow expressly to make inquiry of Dr. John what it was that had produced such a great change in his friend. It matters not what the past life may have been, if the conversion is genuine, the greater the sinfulness, the greater the redemption, and more the glory to come to Christ.