p. 12 | First Impressions

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 16, 1916

First Impressions

The friends here at home will be glad to read a few lines from the large party of new recruits who have arrived in the Orient. The following are some of the expressions called forth as this our largest band of missionaries yet sent out reached the populous East:—

Catherine Daniels, of British Guiana, who saw the falling stars

“The size, character, and strength of the headquarters [at Shanghai] deepens the impression that our work has taken substantial root in these lands. We see no reason why we shall not enjoy making our home in this land, and working for and among these people for whom our Saviour died. “It was cheering to meet so large a number of strong, earnest workers as were gathered here for counsel from widely separated fields. We felt very grateful for the comfortable rooms and good food in waiting when we arrived. “The next thing about which we are now anxious is that we may quickly learn the language and hasten into active service. We greatly desire to live in close daily touch with God. ‘There is no limit to the usefulness of the one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon the heart.’ J. G. WHITE AND FAMILY.”

“We came to China because the great need of the Orient was God’s call to us. But the real greatness of that need we little realized until we reached Japan. We sensed it a little as we gazed from a roof in Tokio upon the shops and houses stretching away for miles, and guessed at the thousands they held. A feeling of awe came over us, and we trembled as a new realization of the stupendous task set before God’s people flashed upon us. On arriving in Shanghai our comprehension of the needs of the Orient broadened. However, we know that we are still unacquainted with the Orient’s great need, and know little of the difficulties that lie before us in attempting to do our small share to help supply that need; yet we long for battle, and anxiously await the onset. We can say that we find a better country and better conditions than we expected. “E. J. AND MRS. URQUHART.”

[Brother and Sister Urquhart were invited to go on to southern Korea, where they are now stationed, to help carry forward the work laid down by Brother and Sister Wangerin.]

“In view of the vast throngs of people in Asia without a knowledge of God, our lives had been surrendered to a field so needy. For months we had planned, studied, and prayed about our work in China, and with a good deal of interest and enthusiasm had looked forward to the time when we should actually be in the land of our adoption. As our boat ‘China’ anchored and we gazed upon the land, nothing but hope and thanks filled our hearts,—hope, because we could see in verdant nature the tokens that the Creator had been in this land before us and this seemed a pledge of his power to bring the gospel to its inhabitants; and thanks, because our trip had been so pleasant and without accident. We were filled with a deeper desire than ever to work for these bright-looking, earnest-faced people. The throngs we passed on our way to the compound, surely made us realize that we had a great work before us, and also deepened the impression that it can never be done in our own strength. “LYMAN AND MRS. BOWERS.”

“During the short month that we have been en route to our new field of labor we have been impressed by the many wonderful sights, and with the greatness of our Creator and our own helplessness. Our feelings are well expressed in the following verses: ‘Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?’ ‘It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.’ “God does not leave us in our helpless condition, but gives us this precious promise: ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:

I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’ “‘As we grasp by faith these blessed promises, we take courage, and expect great things from God. “H. B. AND MRS. PARKER.”

“Thanks to God-fearing workers and associates who love the truth we hold so dear, the idea of being missionaries had so permeated us that when asked for definite reasons why we came to a foreign field, we had to stop and think. To be specific, we have given ourselves for missionary work because of the gospel commission of Matt. 28: 18-20. The love of Christ impels us, and all that we are or hope to be is dedicated to this work.

“The reason why we have come to China instead of remaining in the homeland is because of the great need and opportunity here. We believe that this is the time when Christianity should call out the reserves, and tap all the resources of men, money, and prayer for the evangelization of this, the largest in size and population of any heathen field. Judging from what has been accomplished, and from the many calls still unanswered, we believe that the means lavished upon China’s redemption will yield large returns.

“As we enter upon our work, we do so with a sense of our own helplessness; but our eyes are upon God, and we are trusting him to endow us with his Spirit and give us a fitting for successful service. Like one of old, we cry unto God: ‘It is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude.’ “M. G. AND MRS. CONGER.”

“The divine plan of missions which was inaugurated when God called Abraham to go into a far country, and which he tried to develop in stubborn Israel until that nation rejected the Saviour, and which was then placed in the hands of twelve men, who, faithful to their charge, laid the foundation of early Christian missionary work, gives us the assurance that this work is the greatest thing for individuals to engage in, provided they follow the example set by the Master Missionary. As surely as success attended the work of Peter, Paul, and others, so surely, we believe, will success attend the labors of those who, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, seek to save souls for Christ.

“Our first glimpse of Chinese life made us realize how much these people need the news of salvation. The fact that they are so completely in the darkness of heathenism has the encouraging prospect that the farther away from God they are, the deeper in sin and degradation we find them, the more manifest will be God’s power in their behalf, and the higher he will be able to lift them. “When I stepped out of the ricksha in front of the houses in the mission compound in Shanghai, a friend remarked, ‘You are in China at last.’ After a glance about me, I replied, ‘It looks more like a bit of transplanted America.’ Of course I know that all China is not like the Shanghai compound, but I am sure it will not be hard to think of China as home, and of the Chinese as brethren. “H. O. AND MRS. SWARTOUR.”

“China always seemed to be the land of greatest need. Today we are satisfied that the need of China is greater than we ever anticipated, and to have the opportunity of laboring for these people is indeed a joy. Our idea of hardships in this field has vanished. It seems that our pathway lies in pleasant places. While we expect to meet great difficulties, our help is sufficient. It is God’s work. He will not forsake it. Why should we? “C. E. AND MRS. BLANDFORD.”

“China has been so well pictured in articles and books, that our feelings on arriving are of increased interest, rather than of surprise, at many of the conditions existing here. But there are so many things that must be seen before they can seem real,—the swarms of tired, toiling men struggling along the roads with their great burdens, to earn their pittance; the many crushed and bound feet; disease on every hand entirely neglected. And above all, the task of reaching these people with the gospel seems immensely greater than ever before. “On the other hand, the transforming power of God seen in the earnest Christians already rescued from heathenism, is a taste of what we may expect the Lord to do in the future. We can but thank him for a connection with his work in this needy field, and reconsecrate our lives to his service. “DR. J. N. AND MRS. ANDREWS.”