China Union Training-School by H. W. Miller

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 1, 1911

China Union Training-School

By H. W. Miller

We have just completed the work of the first term of school, with an average enrolment of twenty-eight students. In addition to these were the students in the elementary schools, for the boys and girls. These numbered twenty-nine, and brought the total number of boarding students up to fifty-seven, all of whom were under the same school regulations, and together attended chapel exercises. We had but five living-rooms in which to accommodate them. The largest of these rooms was about eleven feet wide and twenty long; the others were about 11 x 12 feet.

When it was decided to make a beginning with this central training-school, we canvassed the situation carefully, to see if we could secure students enough from our constituency to warrant our starting. We thought we could get eight or ten who could be put under training for evangelists and medical workers; and that if this could be done, it would be well worth the effort. The school also had for its object the training of Sabbath-keeping young men and women from all the stations where we are working in China,—those who gave promise of becoming workers, and who might return to carry forward the work of the message in the localities from which they came.

When the day for opening the school came, Oct. 7, 1910, only three of those we had numbered among the prospectives were present. We received word from the stations that the interest among inquirers was growing, so that they could not spare the men from the stations just then, but hoped at a future term to give their workers the advantages of the school. However, school had not continued a week when a houseboat arrived from Ying Shang Hsien, our mission in Anhwei, 145 miles to the east of us, with seven bright young men on board who had come to enroll as students. We placed all these boys in one room. A little later another young man arrived from the same place, and we placed him in with the rest. They had four beds, with a square study table and chairs, in a room not larger than 11 x 12 feet, besides having with them all their baggage. There was no complaint from any of being crowded.

In a few days after the arrival of these boys, another small boat arrived, having on board four men and an aged woman, the mother of one of the men. They had come from the western part of Honan, a distance of about 140 miles, and had never seen one of our ministers, having met only an evangelist whom Elder J. J. Westrup had sent into that territory some months before. They reported quite an interest in our message in that region, and had come this long journey, by wheelbarrow and boat, to learn more about our doctrine. It had been quite an expense for them, and they are poor people. When we learned of the providences of God that had accompanied their journey, we had no doubt that they were led by him. We suggested that they enter our training-school, and they at once decided to do so, and stay until they had sufficient knowledge to go forth as intelligent messengers of this truth.

The mother, although over fifty years of age, was as earnest as her son to receive a training. Although reared from childhood in ignorance, and in a home without the least order and system,—in which all Chinese homes are deficient,—she was prompt in attendance at her classes, and observed the regulations of the school as did the young pupils. We believe that she will make a valuable worker. Among Chinese women, age is a great help, as it commands respect in gaining access to homes; and for this reason the time spent in training some of these consecrated old people will be well worth the effort. They often do well in reading the Bible, and the Spirit of the Lord helps them in a special way to understand this truth as they explain it to their sisters who are in heathen darkness.

The coming of this party at the time of the opening of the school, having heard nothing of such an enterprise among us, and their demands being met in the establishment of the school, was to us an indication of the approval of God in the opening of this training-school.

We gave these young men, for their industrial work, the sale of literature. They were faithful in their task, always asking the help of the Master before going upon the street. Toward the latter part of the school term, one of the men, Brother Djang, was exhibiting the Sabbath calendars on the street when a young man, half intoxicated, thrust the calendars from his hand, tearing them; he then grasped Brother Djang by his queue, and pulled him about half a block down the street. This experience did not cause our brother’s courage to fail, and the next day found him at his work again.

H. W. MILLER, M. D.

(Concluded next week)