Your ShelfYour Projects

Sweet Tidings to an Idol-Worshiper

11%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 13, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 28.

Read the full edition

Sweet Tidings to an Idol-Worshiper

By Myrtie B. Cottrell

MYRTIE B. COTTRELL
“This gospel doctrine that you preach is the sweetest thing I ever heard,” was our first introduction to a kindly faced man of some fifty years of age who came into our chapel one evening. From that time on, he has been present at nearly every service, drinking in the truths of God’s Word as only a thirsty soul can.
When at the close of our Bible institute we asked all who wished to be baptized to hand their names to us, this man’s name was among the others. We called him aside for examination, and drew from him the following interesting story, translated as nearly as I remember from his own words:—
“All my life I have been a worshiper of idols, until, about two months ago, I became ill. Although I myself am a Chinese doctor, I could not find relief, and therefore I decided to go to the temple, and burn incense and silver shoes (paper money) as a peace-offering to the gods. While at this temple, a Christian Chinese saw me, and asked little why I was going through all this form. I told him I hoped to gain relief from my disease by so doing. ‘Ah,’ he said, ‘it will never come in this way; if you truly desire help, just pray to the great God of heaven, and read his Bible.’ I decided to do this, and sure enough, God healed me. From this same man I also learned of this mission here in Changsha, and that you rested on a different day than other Christians do; so I have walked the one hundred li from my country home to learn more about what I should do if I would please my Heavenly Father.”
As he knew so little about the Bible and its teaching, we advised him to study a little longer before going forward in baptism, and to this he willingly consented. We believe he is an honest seeker after truth; for his wrinkled face fairly beamed as he told us his experience, and how wonderful this “gospel doctrine” seemed to him.
If the “first love” of new-born Christians at home is strong, how much more so must it be to these honest souls just rising out of the misery and darkness of heathenism!
Friends in the home land, would you not rather have a part in sending this gospel message to such waiting hearts as this, than selfishly to spend money needlessly for your own gratification, or even to have a good bank account to your credit? There are many more honest hearts now in darkness who await the acting of your part in fulfilling the promise that at the “eventide” of this world’s history, “it shall be light.”
Chang-sha, Hunan.