A General Meeting in Swatow, China
By W. C. Hankins
We planned to hold our general meeting in Swatow at such a time as would meet Elder I. H. Evans's convenience, so that he could be with us for a few days. As we had never held such a meeting in that district, we had no idea how many would attend; but we were very fortunate in being able to secure the use of a number of new, two-room houses at a very low rental, so that we could increase our accommodations as needed. The meeting was appointed to begin March 23, but so many were there by the twenty-second that we began meetings that afternoon. We had a good attendance of our own people in spite of the fact that it was just at rice-planting time. From seventy to eighty adults attended at least part of the time; those who were farmers felt that they could not stay more than about half the time on account of the pressing need of getting in their crops while the rains continued. Besides the attendance of our own people, we had quite a good interest from the outside. Our little hall was always well filled in the evenings, while on Sunday afternoon, when Elder Keh spoke on the question of “Is Sunday Sacred?”16the room was so crowded that many had to sit outside on the veranda. We organized a little church of twenty-one members during this meeting. There were others who wished to join, but had to return to their homes before arrangements could be made. We expect this church to have a rapid growth, but we know that Satan will do all he can to hinder the progress of the work in this section. We are therefore hoping that all our brethren will join with us in praying for the prosperity of the work here. There are no foreign workers in this region yet, but we expect that the workers who have been promised us will arrive as soon as the hot season is over. We understand that the workers are ready to come, but that there is not sufficient money in the treasury to warrant their being sent on. God has blessed the work here in a marvelous manner, and it would seem a great pity if our people should fail to provide the means for filling such an opening as this. As we see the power of God manifested as it has been in the work in this region, our hearts are encouraged, and we feel that the time is not far distant when he will have finished the work, and we shall see him coming in the clouds of heaven. God grant that we may all be faithful, and be counted worthy to have a home in his everlasting kingdom.