p. 13 | China Union Training-School by O. A. Hall

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Apr 18, 1912

China Union Training-School

By O. A. Hall

O. A. HALL

THIS school, which opened for its first work at Chowkiakow, in October, 1910, is conducted for the China Union Mission. The blessing of God has rested upon the work since its beginning. The manifest result seen in the uplift of the young people, has been most gratifying. Students from four provinces have assembled at this central school, and the enrolment has reached seventy-two. Many applications for entrance were made that could not be accepted because of the limited accommodations. Many beg for the privilege of doing industrial work to support themselves while obtaining an education under a foreign teacher. We are hoping in the near future to be permanently located, and able to reach this class of students. The girl students have been able to do much toward paying their way through school by doing needlework, some of which has been purchased by our friends in America.

During the past year, eighteen students received baptism and united with the church. The object of true education is to restore the image of God in the soul. The Holy Spirit, the divine Teacher, has been accomplishing this in the lives of these Chinese students. One young girl returned to her home where she had unchristian parents, brothers, and sisters, and the testimony of the community was that as a result of her upright life a change was wrought in the other members of the family. Eleven students have gone out from the school as teachers, preachers, and colporteurs, carrying to as many communities that which they have found has lifted them to a better and happier life.

At the time of the outbreak of the revolution in China, Oct. 10, 1911, the fall term of school was getting nicely started, but on account of the workers' being requested by the American consul to remove from inland to places of safety on the coast, it was necessary to close the school. The students from other provinces found it very difficult to reach their homes. The Hupeh province was then a field of battle, it being the meeting-place of the northern and southern armies. It was therefore necessary for the Hupeh students to take a roundabout route, and travel overland a distance of over four hundred miles, requiring eighteen days to reach their homes. Upon meeting them later, they bore earnest testimony of the goodness of God to them, and of how in answer to prayer they were guided and kept on this dangerous journey. Our Chinese students are making good soldiers of the cross, and through the work of education we expect soon to see a trained army go out clothed with the Spirit of the Master, to lift up a standard against the enemy, who is responsible for untold misery, superstition, and death in this land.