GROUP OF BELIEVERS ATTENDING THE CHANG-SHA BIBLE INSTITUTE. EVANGELIST, AND TEACHER OF GIRLS’ SCHOOL MARKED WITH AN X; CANVASSERS WITH A V
This field, together with the North Central China Mission, formerly composed what was known as the Central China Mission, the four provinces of which support a population of about one hundred ten millions. At a meeting of the China Union Committee held last August, it was decided to make two divisions of this territory, to be known respectively as the North Central China Mission and the South Central China Mission. In mentioning this, we call the reader's attention to the fact that in each of these mission fields there are approximately as many human beings as
there are in the United States east of the Mississippi River.
The two provinces composing this field are Hunan and Kiang-si. In the latter province, the only work that has yet been done, to our knowledge, is a few weeks' canvassing by some of our native brethren. In the former, Brother and Sister P. J. Laird were pioneers of the message. For more than three years before the riots last spring, they were busily engaged in sowing the gospel seed, and in ministering to the sick and suffering. Soon after the Chang-sha disturbances, they found it necessary to go to America for rest and recuperation.
At the close of the summer season, Brother and Sister C. Sparks, Mrs. Cottrell, and the writer were requested to make this their field of labor. On our arrival here, about October 1, we found that the rubbish had been well cleared away, and the compound partly repaired. To finish repairing the compound and furniture, and to replace that which had been broken, lost, or stolen, were among our first duties.
Although the work had been largely without foreign supervision for about five months, we found that the native evangelist, Brother Huang, and others, had been doing faithful work. Three canvassers were selling our literature, two of whom had had exceptional success. The evangelist's wife, seeing the need of a church-school, had gathered in eight children, mostly from Sabbath-keeping homes, and was teaching them the best she could.
About four weeks after our arrival at Chang-sha, Mrs. Cottrell and I, with four of our native brethren, started on a trip by house-boat to visit some of the believers and interested ones farther south in the province. It had been about
a year since Brother Laird had made his last visit to these places, and the little flock had in several instances been severely tested. Hardship, opposition, and persecution had scattered the sheep. Nevertheless, some had remained faithful in their witness, and had encouraged a few of their friends to lay hold of the message. Others, who had given up, had their faith especially blessed. The Lord especially blessed Evangelist Huang in making the truth clear and forceful. The colporteurs, the latter also, had success in disposing of our papers and tracts; and on our return home, we left them in different places to continue their work. Thus, at the close of our visit of two and one-half weeks, it was felt by all that the good hand of our God had guided and prospered us.
December 2-9 had been appointed as the time for the first general meeting of our people in this province. In all, about sixty were in attendance. Aside from prayer and social meetings, women's meetings, and children's meetings, three preaching services were held each day. In these the principal subjects considered were the great pillars of our faith, which were presented in practically the same manner and with the same certain sound that characterize the preaching of the message in the home land.
Following the general meeting, a three weeks' Bible institute was held. About10twenty-five were in attendance. The first week of the institute coincided with the week of prayer. This was the first time in the history of our work in China that we had had the readings in time to observe the same season as that set apart in America. As we each day translated these readings to our Chinese brethren and sisters, their hearts were cheered, and their faith was strengthened. At the close of the week of prayer, the native contribution to the annual offering was 11,200 cash, or about four dollars. Considering the circumstances of the believers here, we felt that this was most liberal. If the gifts of our people in more favored lands have been equally generous, there will be no lack of funds in the treasury of the Mission Board for many months to come.
During the institute, the most of our brethren spent some time each day selling papers and tracts. About 39,000 pages of literature were disposed of, and those who took part in the work gained a good experience. At noon on Christmas day our little company gathered on the banks of the Siang River. The day was clear and beautiful. After singing in Chinese, “I Will Follow Thee, My Saviour,” thirteen dear brethren and sisters followed their Lord in baptism. A few weeks previously, four had been baptized. These, together with those baptized a year ago, give our Chang-sha church a native membership of twenty-one. Practically all of these first learned the message either directly or indirectly through the work of Brother and Sister Laird.
We have in this province more than thirty children of believers, who are anxious to have a Christian education; and as the customs of the people will not allow boys and girls to study together in the same school, it follows that two schools must be started soon. We are also adding to our force of native evangelists and colporteurs. In a city about one hundred fifty miles from here, our first regular out-station is being established. Hardly a week passes without bringing us good tidings from various other places. Day before yesterday, a man who had bought a tract of one of our canvassers a year ago, called upon us. His home is near the border of the Kiang-si province. He said that ever since reading the tract, he had not been at peace, and that three weeks ago he had begun the observance of the Sabbath. Last week a letter was received from a man who lives in this province, a hundred miles farther south than any Seventh-day Adventist missionary has yet penetrated. The letter said that Sabbath by Sabbath a company of fifteen meet together for the study of the Scriptures. They sent a strong appeal for us to come and start aggressive work in that place.
Our mission quarters in Chang-sha demand immediate attention. We have no place in which to start our schools. Our chapel is so small that in order to accommodate those who come, the back end of the building has been removed, and the
adjoining court provided with benches. For the summer months, this plan answers fairly well; but during the cold, damp winter and spring seasons, it is far from comfortable. Many, however, whose hearts are yearning to know of the Saviour, come and shiver through the meetings; while others who have less courage, or possibly less clothing, remain away. When the weather is good, there is barely standing-room for all who come.
From this report it will be seen that the third angel's message is winning its way in dark Hunan. But with opening doors, and a conquering message, there is an ever-increasing call for liberality. It is our earnest prayer that the prophetic words of the psalmist, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power,” may be fulfilled in the hearts and lives of all who love the hope of his appearing.
Chang-sha, Hunan.
