Chinese Bible Institute
By E. H. Wilbur
THE first Bible institute ever held for Seventh-day Adventist Chinese workers convened at Canton, China, Dec. 15-30, 1905. For a long time we had felt the need of giving our Chinese brethren an opportunity to become more familiar with the special truths of the third angel’s message, and for this reason Elder Anderson arranged for our workers to come together at this time. The services were conducted entirely in the Cantonese dialect. Four meetings were held daily, as follows: Prayer and social meeting, 7:30 to 8:30 A. M.; Bible study; 10:30 A. M. to 12 M., 2 to 3:30 P. M., 7 to 8:30 P. M. The instruction was given by Elder J. N. Anderson, Dr. Law Keem, and the writer. The following is a partial list of the subjects considered: Importance of God’s Word, The Law of God, The Sabbath, Nature of Man, Resurrection, Origin and Nature of Sin, Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Holy Spirit, Spiritual Gifts, Three Angels’ Messages, Seal of God and Mark of the Beast, Second Coming of Christ, Signs of His Coming, The Tithing System for the Support of Gospel Laborers, God’s Chosen People, His Church, Why We Are Called Seventh-day Adventists, Our General Conference Organization and Work, Bible Temperance, Original Diet of Man, Reasons for Discarding Flesh Foods, Injurious Effects from the Use of Tobacco, Tea, Coffee, and Pork, etc. Elder Keh Nga Pit, accompanied by three other workers, came down from Amoy (more than three hundred miles), and remained throughout the entire meeting. Brother Keh interpreted for his brethren who could not understand Cantonese, and all took careful notes. On Sabbath, December 23, Elder Keh gave us an excellent discourse on the subject “What Is Christ to Me?” He spoke in Cantonese, which is quite different from his native Amoyese, yet we all readily understood him, and realized the presence of the Spirit of God in the meeting. Throughout the institute Dr. Law Keem rendered valuable assistance in singing, as well as in giving instruction on Bible and health topics. We feel to praise God for these Chinese brethren who love the truth as we do, and are anxious to do all they can for its advancement. On Friday, December 29, Elder E. H. Gates and Brother R. A. Caldwell arrived from Manila, accompanied by Brother Charles Boreham, of Hongkong. We were much encouraged by the visit of these dear brethren. Sabbath, December 30, was a good day for us. At 9:30 A. M. two of the brethren from Amoy were baptized at a church baptistery in the city. Quite a number of the members of that church, as well as our own people, were present. This was our first public service inside the walls of the old city. At 12 M. we had our Chinese Sabbath-school at our Riverside Chapel, about forty persons being in attendance. At one o’clock Elder Gates, speaking through an interpreter, gave an interesting account of the progress of our work in the islands of the Pacific. At 2:30 P. M. Elder Anderson led in the observance of the ordinances of the Lord’s house, eleven men and five women participating. At our church meeting held on Sunday, officers were elected, and three new members were admitted to the Canton church, subject to letter. The two brethren who were baptized at this time, and two who had previously been baptized, will be admitted to the new church organization which we expect soon to be perfected at Amoy. The institute is over, and the brethren have gone to their homes to carry the light of this message. Brother Caldwell is canvassing the Europeans of Canton for “Home-hand Book,” Elder Gates has gone to meet with the workers at Singapore, and Elder J. N. Anderson is en route for the province of Honan, to meet with our workers there. “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.” Luke 10:2.