p. 826 | Here and There in Central China by R. F. Cottrell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 28, 1913

Here and There in Central China

By R. F. Cottrell

R. F. COTTRELL

FOLLOWING our Hunan general meeting, held April 23 to May 4, Elder C. P. Lillie and Evangelist Hwang started on a trip to the southward among our out-stations. They will be away from Changsha some five weeks, and will visit seven or eight stations. From the reports thus far received from them, we are assured that the Lord has richly blessed their labors.

Leaving Changsha at about the same time, with a Chinese assistant, I boarded a small, dirty, overcrowded steam-launch, on which was passed a most uncomfortable twenty-four hours. Another day by rowboat brought us to Hwa Yung, the station which was mobbed by a party of angry Roman Catholics during the visit of Mrs. Cottrell and the writer a year ago.

Within this year marked changes have taken place. The Catholics, who were fined by the magistrate and required to restore the chapel furniture they had smashed, now make no open opposition to our work. The audiences, which did not then understand how to behave in a religious service, are now quiet and orderly; and the singing, which was nondescript, has some semblance of music. The believers who were then reaching out for something they scarcely comprehended, are now organized into an active church of over twenty members. Six shops witness for the Creator’s memorial by closing their doors to business each Sabbath. A goodly class presented themselves for membership, eleven of whom were accepted and received baptism.

This station has been largely self-supporting, and during my visit about thirty dollars was given toward the maintenance of the work. On our departure, a company of thirty escorted us two miles on our journey. We then knelt on the ground, each committing the other to our Heavenly Father’s care, after which the good-bys were spoken. What a contrast to the farewell of a year ago, when fear and apprehension were in every heart!

That night we stayed with a family of inquirers, in a little town that had never before been visited by a foreigner. When a large crowd gathered to see the white man, we took occasion to tell them the gospel story. Later, when the crowd had largely dispersed, our friend gathered in his neighbors and acquaintances, and we held a meeting in his home.

Two days’ travel by rowboat and launch brought us to Ih Yang. Here we established work some two years ago. At the beginning of this year, a church-school was started with forty-two pupils. Over fifty others applied for admission, but for lack of accommodations had to be turned away. Five persons were baptized at this place; and on the last evening of our stay two church-members were united in Christian marriage. Ih Yang has been a fruitful field, and we believe the Lord has yet much people in that place.

Continuing our journey, one day by sedan-chair brought us to Ning Siang. Here Evangelist Li and his wife and the believers gave us a most hearty welcome. Satan has buffeted the little flock at this place through the agency of a crafty, unprincipled magistrate. Although this has dampened the ardor of many of the inquirers, our people are glad to report that every church-member has stood firm. At a previous baptismal service at this place, the candidates were all men, mostly heads of families. At this recent visit, nearly all of the twelve who were buried with their Lord were wives, mothers, or daughters of the former. We rejoice to see whole families taking hold of this message. It is no less an indication of stability here than in the States. Of one family, grandmother, mother, and daughter—three generations, the first seventy-three, and the last thirteen years of age—entered the water together. This makes ninety-two persons whom I have had the privilege of baptizing thus far this year.

Another day by chair brought us to Changsha, where we were glad to find Mrs. Lillie, Mrs. Cottrell, and our native believers all usually well. It had been my expectation to remain in Changsha but a few days, and then pass on to the east of the province, visiting stations; but other matters developing made necessary a visit to Hankow, and at present writing I am aboard a small Japanese steamer for that place.

In Honan and Hupeh the brethren are busy erecting mission cottages, two in each place, so that by early autumn all the buildings should be ready for occupancy. We assure our brethren and sisters that these comfortable homes will be greatly appreciated, and should enable the workers to have added strength and vigor to prosecute the work that is so precious to the hearts of advent believers in every land and clime.