China by J. N. Anderson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Apr 28, 1904

China

By J. N. Anderson

CANTON.— Only those who have gone through the experience can realize how trying it is to spend week after week and month after month preparing for active work. I had planned very differently when we first came to China, but many of my most cherished plans have been dashed to the ground. I am glad to say that my main purpose remains constant and fixed, amid all the changes and surprises that overtake me—that is, to master the language. I can now almost hear myself preaching the message in Chinese. I am coming to feel quite at home in the colloquial New Testament, which I am reading every day with my teacher. I have also begun regular Bible studies with our servant boy, who is beginning to show a little interest in

the truths presented to him.

Quite naturally, I have many talks with my teacher about the truth. And while he has not committed himself, I feel that his mind is deeply influenced by it. He has been a Christian for several years, and is a man of ability and experience. He is showing much interest in us and our work, and we are praying that some day he may give the advent message to his countrymen. We can only look to God, who called us, and who will also call others, into this great field which is surely ripe for the harvest. We are in great need of some faithful native helpers. Where shall we make our wants known, unless it be to the Lord of the harvest? I tell you, it is good to build on such resources.

I set the first of March as the day when I shall begin public meetings for the Chinese here in Canton. I have spoken for a hall for that date, and from now until that time I shall pull hard to get my tones and words set right. I may as well close my eyes to all the world, and plunge into the midst of the stream. Every effort will make me stronger and more confident for the next.

Mrs. Anderson continues her study of the language. She speaks it as well as I do, but is somewhat behind in reading. Our boy, Stanley, can not read any, of course, but when it comes to talking Chinese, he is far in advance of either of us. No doubt he will before very long speak like a native, and in many ways be a help to us. Brother and Sister Wilbur are steadily studying, and making fair progress.

I can not forbear to write about Shanghai and Hongkong. They are the two chief ports in China; and although neither of them has a population of ten thousand Europeans, yet I am confident that a good, competent physician, with very little capital, could open treatment rooms in either of these places and do a good work. Besides, it would serve as a much-needed forwarding station for our workers located inland. We are praying that the Lord's work may triumph speedily. We are encouraged by the good things we read in our papers about the progress of the message throughout the world. We are of good courage, knowing that our God abideth faithful, and that he will never leave nor forsake us.

J. N. ANDERSON.