Mission Work Among the Women of China
By Charlotte Simpson
THE past year has been spent chiefly in the study of the language, and caring for the sick. After spending several months among the Chinese, in Honan, China, and learning some of their customs, we decided that our little missionary party must scatter; for the field is large, and the laborers are few, and the time is short in which to give the third angel’s message to this great empire. We have now four mission stations in the province of Honan. Miss Ericksen and I have our station in Sin-tsai Hsien. We have a dispensary, and a portion of each day is devoted to caring for the numerous sick people who come to us for help. The Lord has certainly blessed the treatments given, and many have been restored to health and strength. At the present time we are caring for one little child who is paralyzed on one side, and has been in this condition two months. His mother walked many li on her crippled little feet to bring him to us. Wonderful results followed the few treatments given, and soon we hope to see the child restored. Last week a man came complaining of great pain in his side; we found he had a large growth on his side, which had been there for thirty years. After one week’s treatment he declared himself well; he thought it was wonderful, for he had been treated for years by the Chinese doctors. Some time ago a child was brought to us, low with pneumonia. We treated her, and she soon recovered. Since then mother and child have attended our Sabbath meetings regularly. We find that the medical work opens the hearts of the people to the gospel, and this is what we are working for, not that we may get the praise, but that they may know that God is working through us, and that all praise is due him. Our Chinese teacher, who is one of Brother Pliquist’s converts, holds meetings three times each Sabbath. The meetings are well attended, and we are praying that God’s Spirit may convert many hearts to his truth for this time. Our work is largely among the women and girls. Surely this is one of the most important features of mission work, to reach the mothers of growing families; but here in China it is the mothers-in-law we aim to reach; for they have entire control, not only over their daughters-in-law, but also their children as well. Each week we hold two or three meetings with the women at their homes; they know when to expect us, and we usually find a large number of their friends and neighbors waiting for us. There are very few Chinese women who can read, and so it is no easy task to explain the Bible to them. We must take a very little at a time, and repeat it many times, to make sure they fully understand. We encourage them to visit us in our home; and when they come, we teach them hymns. Some can learn one in a short time, by repeating it over after us. Some of the mothers bring their children, so they can learn also; for they say the little ones remember better than they, and can help them to sing the hymn after they get home. Several boys also come to learn to sing the hymns. They are able to read a little, so in the evenings the boys and women meet at one of their homes to sing together. The boys are a real help to us; for they aid the women to learn more quickly than we could. Many have expressed a desire to learn to read, and we help them the best we can, and encourage the sons who can read a little to help their mothers and sisters. The Chinese women have few interests. Being unable to read, and scarcely ever going out, it is no wonder they become more and more ignorant and superstitious. We are anxious to see them interested in the gospel, and we are praying that many may become faithful and earnest workers in the Master’s service.