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Word From the Far East

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 8, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 6.

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Word From the Far East

By I. H. Evans

LEAVING San Francisco, Nov. 22, 1911, our little company of workers, consisting of Elder Elbridge Adams and his wife and their six months’ old babe, and Brother Floyd Ashbaugh, all bound for the Philippines, with Miss Eunice Le Master, Mrs. Evans, and myself, arrived November 28 at Honolulu, where we spent a pleasant day with Elder and Mrs. C. D. M. Williams. None of our workers ever stop at this port without receiving a most hearty welcome from these devoted servants of the Lord. The work in the Hawaiian Islands is moving somewhat slowly, owing to the conditions prevailing in this beautiful island field. We found Elder Williams and his wife both of good courage in the Lord and anxious to do all they can in the advancement of his work.
Leaving Honolulu the evening of the same day, we sailed direct for Japan, making the trip on schedule time, and reaching Yokohama on Sabbath morning, December 9. A number of the brethren from Tokio met us at the boat, and we were indeed glad to see their faces once again. They brought with them several letters from our workers in Shanghai, urging us, in view of the situation there, to continue our journey to China without delay. This we accordingly did, canceling our appointments in Japan and Korea.
Sabbath morning, December 16, we arrived in Shanghai, and were met by quite a large company of the friends in this place. They had risen long before daylight, and taken the long, cold ride down the river where our ship anchored, twelve miles below Shanghai, to bid us welcome. We were happy to meet these dear friends again, after our six months’ absence. The workers for the Philippines spent one day with us in Shanghai, Elder Adams speaking to the foreign workers in the afternoon, and taking ship immediately afterward for his field of labor. We felt sad to part with these workers after our pleasant association together on our long voyage; but thus it is in the great work in which we are engaged—we meet and part continually. The one all-important thing is for each worker to be loyal to God, and to do the best possible work for the Master.
In Shanghai we found all our foreign workers gathered from the central and northern provinces of China. During the trying crisis through which China is now passing, the Lord has mercifully protected his workers, and the lives of all have been preserved. In the destruction of the city of Hankow we lost the furnishings in two chapels, some medical supplies, and some literature. But the lives of the workers were spared; and so far as we know, their homes have not been molested.
In the city of Chang-sha a number of missionaries of other denominations made their home in the cottages which we built last summer. Nearly a dozen of these were with Elder R. F. Cottrell and Brother S. C. Harris; and after our workers left for Shanghai, these missionaries continued living in these cottages.
Our brethren here believe that not one of our Chinese church-members will give up the truth because of the present troubled condition of the country. If this be so, it will speak well for those who have accepted the message. Our native evangelists have endured much during these trying times, and have shown themselves loyal to the message. One case seems almost miraculous when we read how God wrought for his faithful servants.
Money was needed for the native workers in Honan. There was no way to get the money to the field unless some person would carry it there; and this could be done only at the risk of the messenger’s life. But the hour always brings the man in the Lord’s work. A Chinese brother, Liu Tien Bang, volunteered to come down to Shanghai with Elder O. A. Hall, get this money, and return with it to Honan. Two belts were made, each holding two silver shoes (a silver shoe is worth about twenty-five dollars gold); and this man and a boy, each wearing one of these belts, started for Honan. It was impossible for them to go by the way of Hankow, as the route was in the hands of either imperial or revolutionary troops. Away from the troops, bands of robbers terrorized the roadways. Altogether, from a human view-point, there seemed little likelihood that they would ever get through with their lives, to say nothing of the money.
In view of the conditions on land, Brother Liu and his assistant took a route mostly by water, steering, as they supposed, where the soldiers would not be. They passed through the famine-stricken district of Anhwei. While in this district, for no reason that they were conscious of, they tarried two days at a small place, and then started again on their way. Afterward they learned that the road they planned to take had been for a long time under the terror of an armed band of robbers. During the two days these men waited, a company of soldiers marched through this district, defeating the robber band, and setting the country free from their power.
On another occasion these brethren were called in before the officials, and their belongings were examined to see if they were carrying money or contraband of war to the enemy. But again the Lord delivered his faithful servants; and though their baggage was carefully examined, their persons were not touched. Thus they were allowed to pursue their way; and through the great mercy of our Heavenly Father the needs of the workers were relieved.
In Shanghai an epidemic of the measles has been raging for some time, both natives and foreigners suffering from the disease. So far about fifteen of our workers or members of their families have suffered from the epidemic; but all have made a good recovery.
The circulation of our literature is practically at a standstill for the present; but it now looks as if matters would soon be so adjusted that the future of our work in this field would be more and more bright.
A general meeting for the foreign workers in China has been called, Jan. 25 to Feb. 10, 1912. Three years have passed since we have held a meeting of this kind; and we earnestly ask the prayers of the believers everywhere that God will greatly bless us during this important gathering.
Our workers are of good courage, and we look for splendid results in giving this last great message in this darkened land.                                                             I. H. EVANS.