China

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 10, 1914

IN a recent communication from Brother James E. Shultz, who is connected with the publishing work in Shanghai, he tells so many interesting experiences that we are glad to pass them on to the readers of the REVIEW. He says:—

“Despite the fact that some of us have had little experience in connection with the work here, the Lord is blessing our efforts, and people are being brought into the truth through reading our literature. Our monthly edition of the magazine now totals 88,000. During the month of July this press did more work than in any two months in its previous existence. And this was done in spite of the fact that our colporteurs are working under difficulties. Floods, brigands, and alien armies are contributing their share of difficulties, so that the faithful canvasser is hindered on every side. We have recently heard of the arrest of four of our canvassers, two of them in Shantung, where the Japanese are operating against the Germans. Our young men were charged with being spies; and when you consider the swiftness with which such crimes are punished, especially in China, you can appreciate that it was only through divine interposition that they escaped.

“You see it is the custom of spies for the revolutionary leaders in China to disguise themselves as agents of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The Chinese government, having discovered this, takes every precaution to apprehend them; hence the arrest of our young men. They tell us that they readily appreciated the danger that confronted them when taken before the magistrate, but, like Paul and Silas of old, they committed themselves to the care of Him whose servants they are. After carefully examining their literature, the officers released them.

“It seems that Satan was directly interested in destroying them and their work, but the Lord overruled; and the very next city they entered, the chief men sought them out and demanded a reason for their hope. After several days of careful study, about eight of the leading men of the place took their stand for the truth. Thus we see that God has honest hearts in China, awaiting the proclamation of this message.