China by J. N. Anderson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Dec 14, 1905

China

By J. N. Anderson

HONGKONG.—I have just returned from a visit to Amoy. I spent five days there, every one of which was full of interest. Brethren Hankins and Keh and I spent all the time in the country. A more or less definite knowledge of the truth has spread quite generally all over Amoy and the immediate vicinity. Many are convinced, but hesitate, on account of fear, arising from different considerations. You well know how native converts are supposed to belong to the foreigner almost soul and body; and for them to break with the missionary puts them in a very bad light. I believe, however, that this feeling is coming to be less pronounced; in fact, it is quite plain that in China, as in Japan, a strong sentiment of entire independence is fast taking hold of the people. In Japan the native Christians do not hesitate to tell the foreigners that they are not wanted as leaders, since they themselves are both willing and capable of self-management. In China we have several instances of secession on the part of the Chinese Christians. Just how all this will finally issue, it is impossible to forecast. The recent war has had a very decided effect in this matter.

I found Brother Keh just as earnest and active as when I went away last spring. It is impossible to estimate the direct and indirect help this man is to the newcomers there. In every way he is just the support they need. And, best of all, he is, so far as I can find out, thoroughly reliable. He has one very peculiar and commendable characteristic, and that is that he feels a woe resting upon him if he does not preach the gospel. He is not satisfied, nor even willing, to teach school, or to teach the language to foreigners. He says he feels called to preach the gospel, and requests us that this privilege be given him to the fullest extent.

Some months ago a chapel was opened in the country, about twenty-five miles from Amoy. Considerable work has been done there, and some fruit is beginning to appear. There are a number of inquirers, some of whom have begun to keep the Sabbath. I hope to see a good church organized there before long. While I was there, we laid plans to open a boys’ school at the beginning of the next Chinese new year. It is a market village of probably less than one thousand people, but there is a good opening, as the country about is full of small villages, and we are all alone in the field. We may find it profitable to open a girl’s school after a time. Next year a native worker will be located in that village to look after the work in that vicinity. There are still other openings in other parts, and I feel that the Lord is going out before us in a very signal manner.

Brother Hankins is doing well with the language. I feel confident that within a year he will be able to do a good work in the Chinese tongue. As he is almost constantly with Brother Keh, he has a great advantage in that particular, as well as in other matters.

Dr. Keem and wife are now settling in a house in Canton, for the time being, until they can go into the country.

We plan to hold an institute in Canton for our native workers. All the foreign workers will, of course, be a part of this meeting. The native laborers from Amoy will also be present. This is feasible, owing to the fact that Brother Keh can speak the Cantonese language. I hope in this way to get some Christian workers not of our faith to hear the truth in a thorough and helpful way. It will necessitate some careful and hard work on our part to carry on this institute work, since we do not as yet command the Chinese tongue very readily or accurately. But it will be a real help to us all in many ways, I am sure.

J. N. ANDERSON.