p. 13 | Honan, China by O. A. Hall

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 16, 1911

Honan, China

By O. A. Hall

O. A. HALL

Since coming here I have done little writing. Soon after I landed in China, a missionary of several years’ experience made the remark that one should not write too many letters home the first year, for one’s first impressions of a strange land and a strange people are subject to change as he becomes better acquainted. However this may be, I do not know that we have changed our opinion of China and its people much, only that we learn to love them more and better as we become better acquainted. We find many of them seeking for something better than that which they already have, and when they find that “better part,” they enjoy it as much as any people can. When once they have learned this truth, they seem filled with an intense desire to go out and bear witness to that which they have learned. This is certainly not a bad characteristic, and in this is our hope of reaching China’s millions. We are trying to give them something good to pass on to others.

Brother F. A. Allum and I have just taken a trip through the western part of the province. For some time we had been wishing to make this trip, but being pressed with so much other work, we had found it impossible to get away. We started from Chowkiakow, September 10. Our equipment consisted of a Chinese cart, which carried our food supply and other luggage, and in which our Chinese evangelist rode; and two saddle animals, upon which we rode. The first place we planned to visit was Ye Hsien, a distance of 260 li [a li is one third of a mile] from Chowkiakow. This required three days’ travel. For several weeks previous there had been but little rain in Honan, and the roads were dusty, and the crops badly in need of moisture. As we passed through the villages, we noticed in a number of places that the idols had been taken from the temples and placed along in the streets upon tables, in the burning sun. Upon their heads were put wreaths of withered grass and leaves. We asked the villagers the meaning of this. They replied that they were greatly in need of rain, and that the gods had been placed outside that they might be scorched by the sun in order to compel them to send rain.

Reaching Ye Hsien, we found two members of our church. One was quite an aged brother, who was baptized at our general meeting last fall. During the past year he had but one channel through which he could receive spiritual help,—prayer. We found this brother of good courage, and faithfully living out the truth. The other member was a girl of about sixteen years of age, who attended school last year, and was baptized at the close of the term. She had carried the experience which she had gained in the school with her to her home, and we were told that her parents were living better lives as a result of her influence. It did us good to meet these two faithful representatives of this message in that place, and they greatly enjoyed the meetings held with them. At these services some members of other Protestant missions and of the Catholic mission, and several heathen were present. During the night there was a good fall of rain, which was no doubt attributed to the fact that the gods had been sufficiently sunned.

From Ye Hsien we went ninety-five li to Er Gang Ho Go, where the next company of believers was visited. It was at this place that our work was really begun in the west. Over a year ago, in response to an invitation, one of our Chinese workers visited the interested ones. The brethren contributed quite liberally toward the renting of a chapel, and a place for public meetings was secured. Quite a large number attend Sabbath services more or less regularly, some with a desire to learn the truth, and others to gain what influence they can to further personal interests. We were glad to find here six or eight honest souls who were living up to the truth as far as they had learned it. Three persons from these, including the local leader of the company, have arranged to enter the school. At this place we also met one of the young men who was sent to do colporteur and evangelistic work during the summer. He had previously been a student in the school, and we were pleased to find that he was succeeding even in that hard field.

From Er Gang Ho Go we went another eighty li, to Yu Djou. Over a year ago a man was impressed to come from Yu Djou to Chowkiakow, having heard of our mission here. While here, he learned something of the truth and secured some literature. A few months later, just at the time of the opening of the first term of the training-school, he, his mother, and two men came to Chowkiakow to study the truth. It seemed providential that they came just at that time, as they knew nothing of the opening of a school. Three of them entered the school. One brother, the oldest of the company, remained several days, and returned home to pursue his former occupation of farming and teaching school. But he was not silent regarding the truths he had learned. Later, during the winter vacation, the two young men returned home for a few weeks, and again this summer they have labored as colporteurs there. As a result of these efforts, we found a company of twelve keeping the Sabbath, and others studying. Some walk as far as fifty li to attend the Sabbath services. A building must be rented at once, and a Chinese worker stationed at this place to work the three above-named places.

From Yu Djou we passed around the ranges of mountains a distance of 160 li, to Bei Yang. Here also the Lord had gone before us. For several months calls had been coming for help. At the close of our workers’ meeting last spring, a Chinese evangelist was appointed to labor there during the summer. The brethren who had become interested in the truth there, contributed quite liberally, and a meeting-place had already been rented. After considering the needs, we decided that a worker must be located permanently at Bei Yang to follow up the interest in and around that city. We found several bright, intelligent people interested in the truth and observing the Sabbath. While it is true in all these places that they are but babes in this message, yet the prospects are encouraging, and we plan to make every effort possible to build up the work in that part of the province. Quite a number are planning to attend the general meeting in November, at which time we shall lay definite plans to care for the interests there.

On the whole, we had a good trip. The roads were rough and stony in places, our cart once overturning. The last few days we had rain and mud, but we enjoyed much of God’s blessing as we endeavored to present the truth to the people. We can not but be encouraged as we see such clear evidences of the working of the Holy Spirit.