What if It Were You? by E. W. Farnsworth

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 8, 1911

What if It Were You?

By E. W. Farnsworth

E. W. FARNSWORTH

Look at this picture of conditions existing in our mission at Chang-sha, Hu-nan, China, as presented in a recent letter from Elder R. F. Cottrell. He says:—

“Chang-sha is not a little, insignificant village in some out-of-the-way corner. It is the proud capital of the province of Hunan; it has paved streets, magnificent temples, and large government schools, with tens of thousands of students. It has nearly as many inhabitants as Buffalo, N. Y.; and here are to be found thirteen missionary societies, carrying forward their work, the most of which have from five thousand dollars to fifty thousand dollars invested in land, buildings, and equipment.

“And what have Seventh-day Adventists in this city?—They have a rented compound about 30 x 70 feet in size. A ‘compound’ is an enclosure for dwelling purposes, surrounded by a high wall. Inside our compound are several small Chinese houses, very cheaply built. In the front about twenty Chinese make their home; these include our evangelist and family, canvassers, and helpers. Next comes our little dark chapel, which, because of its peculiar construction, is impossible to enclose on one side. It is what would be called a shed in the home land. As we have winter weather here, with snow-storms, you can imagine our little congregation does considerable shivering during four or five months of the year. To one side of the chapel is a Chinese guest-room, and on the other side is a room used as a school-room for the children of believers. Both of these are very dark. We are sure no American parent would desire to have his children sent to such a place to study. Above these three rooms are three others occupied by Brother and Sister Sparks, who came from Nebraska a year ago. Ten feet back of this stands

a little three-room house that we call home.

“A part of the windows are glass, and part of them are paper. The houses are enclosed by one thickness of cheap Chinese boards, which were nailed on in an upright position when the lumber was green. At present there are wide cracks between the boards. As the houses in our compound are huddled so closely together, the sun has little chance to shine in and dry things, hence the quarters are very damp and moldy. A physician says we run great risks in living here.

“Is it any wonder, then, that we are interested in the $300,000 Fund? We had hoped ere this to have received sufficient on this fund to purchase land and begin building operations. But the word that comes to us is in no way assuring, as the money seems to be coming in very slowly. In order to purchase land, build suitably for school and chapel purposes, and erect dwellings for two families, we should have from $3,500 to $4,000. This is our situation; though, in common with photographs sent from China, the ‘dirt and odor’ are omitted.”

Can we wonder that our missionaries in China and other countries are interested in the $300,000 Fund? What would we expect them to do if they were living in the houses we occupy, and we were living in China? Think of “several houses,” a “chapel,” a “school-room,” and twenty-four persons all on a small city lot! Think of the narrow, crowded, rented, unsanitary quarters! Think of our missionaries being compelled to hold their meetings in a “shed,” where we would not house our cattle! Think of that little congregation shivering with cold, and trying to protect themselves from the drifting snow! Think of the three damp, moldy, dark rooms that our missionaries call “home,” and then answer the question, How would you like to exchange places with them?

Brother and Sister Cottrell are young, educated, refined people. They were teachers in one of our academies, and were comfortably situated in a pleasant home. But they heard the call to China. They “forsook all” to go. They laid their lives on the altar of China’s need, as many others have done. What obligation rested upon them that does not rest upon us? They do without the conveniences and comforts that even the very poor can enjoy in this favored land. We go on buying property, withholding our money from the Lord, hoarding treasure, buying things we could well do without and not suffer, and leave these and other missionaries to wonder if their brethren and sisters in the home land have forgotten them.

“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Our affections may be centered in the work of God on earth, or they may be engrossed in farms, buildings, money, pleasures, and earthly things. “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” What is our record in heaven call with reference to supporting our missionaries?

Read Elder Cottrell’s statements again, as quoted above, and say what you would have him do if he were in your place, and you were in his.

Oakland, Cal.