China by P. J. Laird

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · May 23, 1907

China

By P. J. Laird

CHANG-SHA.—When I last wrote to you, we were about to enter our house in this city. It hardly seems five weeks since we came, yet it has been quite long enough for us to have had much personal blessing from our loving, wonder-working God. When we had moved, we had the bare necessities for seating any guests who might feel inclined to visit us. Our means are so limited we dare not invest much in furniture.

So many students were inquiring whether we would open classes in English, that it was taken as an evidence of divine leading. As it was but a month before the Chinese New-year, we hesitated a little. The lads, however, were anxious to begin, showing how even their oldest and most general customs are passing. A few days' holiday was all they desired. Those applying were from the very classes we are anxious to reach. We decided to open class January 26. Twenty-seven enrolled, paying deposit money. Two were refused, as being too far advanced to work conveniently with the others.

Try as we would, seating accommodation could neither be rented nor loaned. It being so near New-year, the time was limited. And even could seats be procured, we could not be certain of paying. In our dilemma we cried unto the Lord, to know whether he would prefer we should not open the school, or if we should open, that the seats might be procured. This was Thursday night, and classes were to begin on the following Monday.

Our landlord called that night. I spoke to him about the matter, and we continued to wait on the Lord. He was more faithful than we. The goods came; and what was still better, the cost was most reasonable. When school opened, the furniture was paid for. Even the bookstores gave us ten per cent commission on the books purchased.

Meantime, a “great ferment” had been going on among the churches at Chang-sha since we “heretics,” keeping “Jewish Sabbath,” had arrived. Brother Alexander's observance of the Sabbath increased the tension. Calling on a pastor of one of the largest missions at Chang-sha, I learned that they were going to visit us, to ascertain our methods of working. On calling to see Alexander, for a spiritual talk and season of prayer, I found him getting anxious for the “foreigners” to hear of the Sabbath. We ourselves had been praying about the matter, and soliciting the intercession of the members of our China Mission, ever since coming here. The time seemed ripe to call them to a meeting before the deputation came. The invitations were out on Wednesday evening for Monday, February 4, at 4:30 P. M. God gave us much peace in our hearts, and in spite of threatened illness everything went off all right. The day was a wet one. Two workers wrote of their inability to attend. Another was visiting an out-station. Sickness prevented others. However, nine workers came, representing four separate missions.

One of them was requested to open with prayer, after a hymn and the reading of John 17. The reading of the paper, which included a Bible study on the Sabbath, occupied about half an hour. There is every reason to believe that some received enlightenment. Whether they will accept the truth given, is now for them to decide. One brother, in closing, prayed most earnestly for my wife, and that God would bless and use us. He said, further, that many have their own minds made up about these things, and that God would show them what was right, and enable them to follow him.

Having had but a few days since coming to our new abode, it is not easy to make forecasts of future prospects for evangelistic work. Again, at this season of the year the people are much engaged in the affairs of this world.

Two days ago two sets of scrolls were presented to us by a grateful family. God has used the simple treatments given by my wife, and has heard our prayers for the recovery of a lady from what might have developed into a serious illness. These scrolls are an evidence of sincere gratitude. Such tokens of appreciation from people to whom the gospel has been faithfully proclaimed make us very humble, as such a gift is regarded by them as a great honor.

To-day being New-year, we visited them. After pointing out the blessings God wishes to pour into their lives each and every day of the new year, they accepted the offer that I should go every Saturday evening and teach them. Will you not join with us that this family may speedily become Christians, burning and shining lights among their fellows? P. J. LAIRD.