WORK Among the Chinese by J. O. Miller

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 17, 1908

WORK Among the Chinese

By J. O. Miller

The responsibilities as well as the privileges resting upon us to whom has been given the last warning message to the world should lead us to sow beside all waters. And if, as we read, there will be some gathered from the four corners of the earth, there must of necessity also be a scattering to all these points.

As I have looked over the great field, and viewed the different nationalities to be found in Canada, my attention has been called to the thousands of Chinese in this country and in the United States, many of whom can read English, and nearly all of whom can readily read the Mandarin Chinese. In St. John, New Brunswick, alone, there are about sixty Chinamen; in Montreal there are three hundred laundrymen, and about one thousand other Chinese. In such cities also as New York, Chicago, Boston, Baltimore, and St. Louis, there are many more. Their salvation depends upon those whom God has commissioned to preach the everlasting gospel to the ends of the earth.

As an experiment, I took twenty copies of the Gospel Herald, our Chinese paper, published at Shanghai, and called on the laundrymen and restaurant keepers in St. John. To my surprise, in half a day I secured fifteen yearly subscriptions at thirty-five cents each, and sold the other papers at five cents a copy. Now as a result of that half-day’s labor, I had five dollars and a half to send to the publishing company at Shanghai, and the gospel message will enter those homes for one year. The Chinese love to read their language, and will readily buy such literature, even when published by some other than their own people. They also become interested in looking at the pictures. Nearly all can understand enough to know what you want when showing them the paper and soliciting their subscription. They all have money, and pay cash. A considerable sum of money could thus be secured which would be a much-needed help to our new publishing house at Shanghai. Why could not some brother or sister in every city take up this work? The editor at Shanghai will be pleased to send sample copies on application. Address the Gospel Herald, Box 993, U. S. Post-office, Shanghai, China.

I have sold a few copies of the Missionary REVIEW and two copies of “Coming King,” besides “Best Stories” and other small books, to the Chinese. If any engage in this work in the cities, we shall be pleased to have a report through the pages of the REVIEW. J. O. MILLER.