China by Percival J. Laird

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 28, 1907

China

By Percival J. Laird

CHANG-SHA.—Some ministers have written in behalf of their Chinese preachers, requesting us not to send any more of the gospel to them. This request has been repudiated by the preachers themselves, in two cases.

Last week the Chinese Christian Union, composed entirely of Chinese church-members, struck our helper’s name (Chang Kang Heo) off their books—this without giving him a hearing. A few days afterward, the president of the union personally invited Brother Chang to their anniversary meeting. There he learned what they had done, and their reason for it. It was alleged that through his Sabbath-keeping example, all the members had grown cold and much disturbed. I was made to say that only Sabbath-keepers would be saved. Therefore, they could not meet and pray together while one of my followers was sowing seeds of discord among them.

We had been expecting this for some time. The climax appears to have been reached when a teacher came for a long chat with Brother Chang about the Sabbath, taking away a treatise in Chinese on the subject. Two weeks ago, when attending prayer-meeting there, Brother Chang was overheard asking this man what he thought of this book. It was a well-attended meeting, and evidently our native brother’s replies to this man made a great impression.

The missionary who kept the Sabbath for a season early in the year is now telling inquirers that he had no peace during that time. And yet the poor man can not see the inconsistency of telling them that the Sabbath is right. His forced attempt to hide his unrest was most marked at our last visit. May he yet return and be saved.

God is giving us signs of his good pleasure. We have a few men of letters coming three times a week for Bible study. One, a Methodist, is giving his services gratuitously to teach a few beginners in English. This is such a contrast to most workers in Hunan whom we know, that it is greatly appreciated.

Just now there is a lull in the craze for Western education in this city. Many schools are unable to open, on account of insufficient students to meet expenses. Not a few of our senior class of last year have opened evening classes themselves. This makes our numbers fewer. We have purposely kept our fees up, to keep away those who are undesirable.

Whether it be in the unrest among the student classes; the fear of the government, because of their manifest inability to cope with the increasing sedition and anarchy; or the pilgrims, as they are this month returning from the sacred mountain to the south of Hunan, bringing some evidence of their visit to the temples there, and chanting their idol songs as they traverse the streets on their way home, we do not know; but all this speaks to us of China’s need of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ. O, how we praise him for the light that is breaking in some parts, as in Fukien! If we are faithful, the dawn will chase away the night in some hearts here, also. “Brethren, pray for us,” that we may not cause one of these weak people to stumble and fall away.

PERCIVAL J. LAIRD.