Progress in Manchuria by Bernhard Peterson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1916

Progress in Manchuria

By Bernhard Peterson

BERNHARD PETERSON

It is with grateful hearts that we note the steady progress in our work among the Manchurian people. A little more than a year has now passed since we began public effort in the city of Mukden. At that time we had but an imperfect command of the Chinese language, having been in China only a little more than a year; but our trust was in God, that he would make up for our inefficiency, and truly he has not disappointed us. We greatly rejoice in being coworkers with him in bringing the glad tidings of a soon-coming Saviour to these benighted heathen, who still worship gods made by their own hands.

Last summer we had the joy of seeing the first converts follow their Lord in baptism, and the first Chinese church in Manchuria was organized. During the last few months a series of public meetings has been conducted in the city of Mukden, and a number are now preparing to go forward in baptism and unite with the church the coming summer. At the present time the meetings are carried on in a rented chapel, but we are planning soon to obtain our own quarters, as near the center of the city as possible, where a continual stream of people pass. We have been offered a large piece of ground at a very low price, but it is not so centrally located as we should like, so we are looking at other properties more favorably located.

We were glad to be able to open two new stations last year, one in the province north of Mukden, and the other about fifty miles south. A letter just received from the brother south of here is very encouraging, as he states that a fair audience is attending his meetings. Last week we had a visit from an elderly man who came from a large city about sixty miles north of Mukden. He had walked all the way, to tell us that there were many in that city who were anxious that we should soon open a chapel there. This was the third time he had come to see us and to make this request. Last summer one of the canvassers went there to sell papers, and now an interest has been awakened. One day we received four letters from that place, urging us to come. We are planning to start our work there soon.

While the Lord is thus opening the way before us, Satan is also busy hindering the work; but we know it will all work out to the glory of God. When an interest had sprung up at the above-mentioned city, a man began to warn the people against us. After warning those in his own town, he started to another large city to sound the warning against us, but on the way his cart turned over, his leg was broken, and he had to go to the hospital. When the Chinese heard about it, they said, “The Lord is in this; he would not permit him to speak against this people.” Shortly afterward the Lord opened the way for us to begin work in that city.

This is not the only place where the Lord is going before us to open the way. Last summer while we were attending the general meeting in Shanghai, a business man came to Mukden from a place about one hundred miles west. He had heard of us and had come to visit us. When he left he was given some literature, which he, with others in his home town, has been studying, and now an interest has sprung up. About two weeks ago he visited us again, and urged us to come to his place soon. We have just received a letter from him, signed also by several persons there, entreating us to come.

And so we could go on mentioning other places where the people are entreating us to come. We are impressed with the importance of selling our literature, for wherever it goes, there is soon awakened an interest, and a call for an evangelist follows. When we look out upon the great field where the Lord has placed us, and listen to the cries for the bread of life, our hearts are made glad that the brethren in the homeland have sent us another family, Brother and Sister Gjording, to help in the work. We were very glad to welcome them to our field, and they are now busily engaged in the study of the language, that they may soon be ready to assist in the work of saving souls for God's kingdom.

Mukden.