Swatow, China by W. F. Hills

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Apr 3, 1913

Swatow, China

By W. F. Hills

W. F. HILLS

MANY of our friends are writing to know how we are getting along. As it is impossible for us to write to each one, we shall answer all together through the REVIEW. First, I shall say that we are all well and very happy. The past year has been the fullest and the best year of our lives. Not for one minute have we regretted our move to China. We know that Jesus has verified his promise to be with us all the way, in every instance. Truly angels that excel in strength have hedged us about in times of grave danger. Our city was bathed in blood during the war, and several times we were warned to leave. They even sent word at midnight to flee, yet we have never stayed away from our home a night for protection. The sweet assurance that we are under the protection of the armies of heaven removes all fear from our hearts.

About three months ago we rented a larger chapel here in Swatow, since which time our work has nearly doubled. A Chinese evangelist of another denomination came to our house four months ago covered with boils. To make the story short, I shall say that at the end of about two weeks he returned to his congregation in the interior, not alone keeping the Sabbath, but with a glad message to his congregation—that Jesus is to return soon. Two weeks later we had to go to visit them, for they sent him down after us; and I never shall forget what I saw there. This minister with thirty-five of his congregation assembled to keep the Sabbath, and their faces filled with the joyous hope of seeing Jesus soon. They have stood firm, every one of them, and this month we have added the name of this worker to our pay-roll. He has been preaching in another mission for over fourteen years, is a strong man, and has a very good education. We believe that he will develop into a strong worker. We have rented the building where he formerly preached, and now its doors are open on the Sabbath, and all his company are preparing to meet our Saviour when he comes.

Seven earnest native evangelists are now associated with me in the work in this place. Some of them are strong men. Our work has made a great stir in this section, and we expect great things in the future. A number are now ready for baptism, and many more are on the point of stepping out. One woman who has an excellent education (which is rare in China) has asked to unite with us. Her husband also is a minister in another mission. He, too, is deeply stirred, and admits that it is hard for him to preach Sunday sermons any more. I could tell you of many very interesting incidents, and if I could picture them before you in their true light, I am sure that you would better understand why we pray so earnestly to God to keep us in health so that we may stay here until the warfare is ended. I am sure that then your prayers and your money would go out to these dear people who plead so earnestly for help.

I must mention briefly our school, which we opened three months ago. It seemed quite an undertaking for us to open a school when we had been here only a year. The needs were so pressing that we could not but go ahead. We knew that what we lacked in experience and in the language our Heavenly Father would supply. When the people who are members of other missions accept the truth and begin the observance of the Sabbath, their children are thrown out of school. Some of these children have been in school several years and are pretty well along. It was a problem that we could not meet without starting a school of our own. Trusting the promises of our Master, we rented a building, hired a teacher, and bought a few second-hand desks. We planned to take in about twenty pupils, but the room was overcrowded at once, and the teacher could not handle them; so we had to go another step, hire another teacher, fit up another room, etc. We now have both rooms full to overflowing, three sitting on some of the benches that are none too wide for two. We had to turn some bright ones away, as we could not crowd them in. This is a hard thing to do. We hope that it will be different another year. Mrs. Hills had to shoulder the school responsibility, as I had no time to give to it. She and her two assistants are getting along very well. It would do your hearts good to visit this school, which numbers about fifty. These children are not of the lower class, but are select and very bright. We had to send a few of our large boys to Amoy to school, but we want them here another year. Swatow was not placed on the General Conference map last year, but we hope it will be this year, and that all of you will reach out a little farther so as to take us in with all the rest of the needy places. We praise God daily for the school that he has given us, and we believe that he will continue to supply our growing needs.