p. 12 | In West Honan by O. J. GIBSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 1, 1916

In West Honan

By O. J. GIBSON

O. J. GIBSON

It was my privilege this fall to visit three of our stations in the western part of Honan Province. With buildings under construction here at home, it was impossible for me to make other than a hurried trip, being able to stop but a day at each station.

The journey was made in a native cart, drawn by two small mules, tandem style. It was a slow process, but with a springless cart, and roads with deep ruts, I was glad at times that the speed was no greater. Thirty miles is considered a good day’s journey; twenty or twenty-five miles is the average speed; but with some persuasion and extra money, forty miles a day can sometimes be covered. However, to do this an early start must be made, and it is generally late before the destination is reached.

It was with difficulty that the native evangelist and I found a place to stop the first night, but after canvassing the village, we found a man who opened wide his doors, and we enjoyed the best he had to offer. He gave us his own private room. We were very grateful, and more grateful still that the room had an outside door, for the room was saturated with the smell of old wine. I slept on my cot, with my head in the doorway, glad for all the fresh air I could get, while the evangelist occupied the landlord’s bed.

We were up and on our way before daylight, reaching our first station between nine and ten o’clock. The believers there had been out of the city to welcome us the night before, and after waiting until late, had to return disappointed. We spent the remainder of the day with them, holding three meetings; and when we left, they were all of good courage. We have a primary school at this place, which is conducted in a very acceptable manner, with nine boys in regular attendance.

Next morning we left for a twenty-mile ride to the next station, arriving in time to get well settled for the night before darkness came on. As we planned to return again in two days, we only stopped overnight, leaving in the morning for a small country town ten miles distant, where we have an active little church with a growing membership and a small church school.

In the course of the morning I remarked to the evangelist that one trip with such a cart would suffice for a lifetime. The route was through the foothills, over roads which could scarcely be called roads, and in many places it was difficult to pass with the cart. One is very fortunate on such trips to be able to walk the greater part of the way, taking the cart for a change and rest. But after we had arrived at our destination, we felt well repaid for the effort. We received a warm welcome, held three meetings, and looked over a plot of ground which had been offered for a church building. The believers were very warm-hearted, agreeing to help to a considerable extent on the building. I am glad to say that we have just arranged to help them to the amount of twelve dollars gold. This may seem a trifling sum, but it will provide for the larger part of a sixteen-by-thirty-five-foot building.

After a night’s rest and a morning prayer meeting, also a good breakfast, we left, feeling much refreshed and of good courage, and well repaid for the trip.

Returning to Bau-An, we spent the remainder of the afternoon making ready for Sabbath. Our native Sabbath school secretary took charge of the Sabbath school, after which I spoke on the importance of distinguishing between the false and the true. All gave close attention. Believers and friends left the afternoon service feeling that God had especially blessed us as a people with the truth for these last days.

Two days by cart brought us home again, in good health, but looking some worse for wear. Of the eight days out, five were spent in traveling, covering approximately one hundred and twenty miles, thus averaging less than thirty miles a day. This trip afforded me a change, which I much enjoyed. Our workers’ Bible institute, which is just over, followed closely on our return, and we had only a limited time to complete preparations. The evangelists from two provinces met here, and a profitable month was spent in study and in outlining work. Nothing preventing, I shall visit our other stations in the spring.