Is It Worth While?

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 27, 1908

Is It Worth While?

[The following touching appeal is made still more impressive in that a short time after it was written for publication, Miss Funk suddenly died, while still on the mission field of China, thus adding as evidence to the above question another beautiful life in testimony that it is “worth while.”—Ed.]

SOME one writes from the home land—to leave home and friends with no thought or hope of reputation, large salary or other earthly remuneration, but solely to tell ignorant Chinese women of Jesus—tell us, have you found it worth while? We respond most heartily, yes!

Go with me to a near-by mountain where we have a fine view of this picturesque Chinese city. Let your eye take in the large area crowded with buildings. It is said that about two hundred fifty thousand people are living within this compact city. Of this large number I think we can truthfully say that one half are women. Notice those rows of large official residences. Within those walls there are hundreds of bound-footed, high-class women who seldom if ever leave their homes. They spend their time in idle conversation, opium smoking, and gambling. Then glance in the opposite direction, and note that row of little frame huts. Within are women whose bodies are tired from carrying burdens heavy enough for beasts. These women are not the companions of husbands who love them, but are like slaves—held as a mere source of revenue. Notice that large temple. There you see women with aching hearts who are worshiping hideous idols, hoping to obtain peace. Yonder you see women offering a tray of eatables to evil spirits to appease wrath and invoke blessing. In that home near-by, a beautiful young girl is being compelled to marry a man whom she has never seen. She is to become the third wife, and henceforth will be under the domineering control of the first wife. The future jealousies and

miseries of that girl can not be imagined.

With these few scenes before us, who could wish for a field of greater opportunity? Through these streets we walk, entering every home open to us, and thus we have opportunity to reach the rich and poor alike, and tell them of the only Saviour who can save from sin, comfort and satisfy the human heart. Then, too, meetings are held in our chapel, where many women and children come, and where we teach them to sing and pray. The little groups of happy women who have accepted our Saviour are the reply to the question, Has it been “worth while”?

When Jesus contemplated leaving heaven to face and endure Calvary for our sakes, knowing we would spurn his love and go our own way for years, do you think he questioned the “worth while”?—No! He came, and by his love has wooed and won us. As women who are enjoying this glorious gospel, can we be indifferent concerning these our sisters, knowing that their eternal destiny rests upon us? When we meet them at the judgment, will they meet us with condemnation for our neglect, or will our Saviour commend our faithfulness? You who are seeking a sphere of service that will “pay” and that is “worth while” we invite, yea, plead with you, to help us in this field where the need is overwhelming.