Hand-Shaking as an Evangelizing Force

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 11, 1909

Hand-Shaking as an Evangelizing Force

It is said that Judson once stopped in a village on the banks of a river. Seeing a woman close to the landing-place, he offered her his hand, and asked how she was. A few moments afterward he was called back to the boat, and left her with his blessing. Judson probably thought no more about the incident; but what was the result? The woman had never before received such courtesy from any man. Though a princess, she had been treated as a slave. She had seen, she said, “one of the sons of God,” and after this nothing would persuade her to worship the heathen gods again. She had served them ever since she was a child, but, she said, “They have never prevented my husband from beating me. This man spoke to me kindly, and gave me his hand. His God must be the God.”

That very night she began to pray to the unknown God of the white foreigner—a most touching prayer: “Lord God, in the heavens, in the earth, in the mountains, in the seas, in the north, in the south, in the east, in the west, pity me, I pray. Show me thy glory, that I may know thee who thou art.” Thus she continued to pray for five years. Then a Christian missionary came to that district. She heard the gospel, and at once became a Christian. She helped to establish a Christian church at Dong Yahm, out of which two others soon grew. From that time Guapung (that was her name) tried to win for Christ all with whom she came in contact. She had great power with every one, for she herself lived so near to Christ.—The King’s Messengers.