Province of Kwang-tung (Canton)

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 16, 1910

EVANGELIST CHEUNG AND FAMILY, CANTON, CHINA

Province of Kwang-tung (Canton)

(Population, 31,000,000)

In January, 1909, Elder J. N. Anderson and family and Miss Ida Thompson, who had pioneered our way in China (aside from good Brother LaRue’s earlier ship work at Hongkong), sailed for America and the General Conference. “It seemed that the work would be greatly crippled,” wrote E. H. Wilbur of this loss; but Brother Wilbur moved from Kongmoon to Canton, the work was redistributed, and it has been, he says, a year of progress. From his report we gather these facts:—

It has been the “banner year” for literature sales in this province. Four colporteurs gave their entire time to it, besides what several evangelists did. Previous to 1909 we had entered but seven districts, or counties, with the publications. This year we added ten new counties.

CANTON SCHOOLS

Miss Amanda Vanscoy took charge of the Bethel Girls’ School, which has had about thirty boarding and forty day pupils. With the East Gate day-school for girls, the total enrolment has been over one hundred. Of eighteen new members added to our Canton church this year, ten were from these schools.

The boys’ school had an enrolment of sixteen, mostly boarders. Through lack of means the school building was given up, and the school transferred to our old chapel, where the crowded condition has compelled us to refuse earnest applicants. Through the untiring efforts of Brother Cheung, there has been greater interest in spiritual things than ever before. Three students were baptized during the year, and two give promise of making good workers. A building adjoining our chapel has been rented, and is being repaired, to give us more room.

MEDICAL WORK

Dr. Law Keem has worked away at Fatshan (a city near Canton) for over four years, with no proper facilities. This summer (1909) a rented store building on a business street has been

fitted up for dispensary and treatment-rooms, with several rooms for patients and helpers. A number of Chinese physicians attended the dedication in November, and took appreciative part. The equipment is not completed, for lack of means, but from twenty-five to thirty patients receive attention each dispensary day. The doctor’s dispensary assistant is a God-fearing young man who united with our Canton church two years ago.

LO, THESE FROM SINIM

Our only organized church is in Canton, with fifty-three members. More Chinese brethren are paying tithe than ever before. Two or three other church organizations should be formed in the province another year. Four new Sabbath-schools have been formed, and this year, for the first time, we have had our lesson quarterlies printed in Chinese.

A man in an adjoining province writes that he believes the truth, and appeals with Scripture quotations for me to come at once and teach his people. I sent him publications, but could send no one to him. People appeal to come to our schools, offering to pay their board and asking only to learn the truth; but we have not the room. “My wife and I would like to go to your mission in Canton, to study the Bible and learn to work in God’s cause,” writes a man nearly a hundred miles up the North River. But we are obliged to say, No. More workers and more facilities are sorely needed.

THE HAKKA AND HOKKLO DISTRICT

This district stretches east about two hundred miles from Canton and northeastward to the Fukien province. Five Hakka young men came to Canton in 1905 to study the Bible with Brethren J. N. Anderson and E. W. Wilbur. Four we believe are working for the mission to-day. Brother J. P. Anderson, who is working in the Hakka dialect, writes:—

This year I moved to Wai Chow Fu, a city up the East River, one hundred fifty miles from Canton, among the Hakkas. The Lord has blessed me very much. Our three canvassers have done well. We have opened two chapels and a boys’ school.

BROTHER HUNG, OUR NATIVE WORKER IN CHOW CHOW FU, NEAR SWATOW, AND HIS FAMILY

I have also looked after the work at Moi Lung, among the Hokklo people. At first a group of violent men, Catholics, made us much trouble at Moi Lung. The evangelist thought it very difficult work. I remember telling him to do his best, and that we would pray God for deliverance from these evil men, for such they truly were. I would not have been surprised at any time had they assaulted me personally. Later I visited the place again, and found that two of these men had been imprisoned by the district magistrate, and that

nearly all the others had died of the plague. The interested ones could now quietly meet for Bible study. I think four will soon be ready for baptism. They have given up idols, and thrown away that which is more dear to a Chinaman than his god—the tobacco pipe. As we see these heathen take their stand for the truth, we feel fully repaid for all our labor.

KULANGSU CHAPEL AND BOYS’ SCHOOL

As other help is expected here, it is decided to build a house that foreigners can live in. No suitable place can be rented. I am negotiating for a piece of land, which will cost two hundred dollars, and about one thousand dollars will be needed to put up a building that two families can occupy. These people number ten million souls. I am convinced the Lord has many precious jewels among them.

SWATOW DISTRICT

The work here was developed from Amoy, in the Fukien province. Swatow is northeast of Hongkong. Elder W. C. Hankins says of it:—

Elder N. P. Keh and Brother Hung have been carrying on the work in the Swatow district. A man named Wong became interested, and walked twenty miles every Friday to meetings at Chow Chow Fu, returning again on Sunday, thus losing three days out of seven. Through his efforts quite an interest has sprung up in his place, and about eight persons are reported as keeping the Sabbath. The whole region for a number of miles back of Swatow is agitated over the Sabbath question.