Victories of the Truth in China by J. N. Anderson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 22, 1907

Victories of the Truth in China

By J. N. Anderson

How often our little faith fails to read aright the inherent power of the truth we hear! It is with us to-day as it ever has been with the disciples of the Lord; we are still lagging far behind the Master. Here in China, with centuries of dense heathenism and the incomprehensible inertia arising therefrom, it does indeed require no small measure of faith to believe that spiritual life can be made to spring up in such a soil as this; and yet we are continually called to behold just such marvels, to the great glory of his name and the deep joy of our own hearts.

Report has just come to hand of the full surrender of two souls to the power of the truth at Dr. Selmon’s station in Henan. Only recently two men were baptized at one of the stations in the Fukien Province, out of a large class of intelligent and earnest inquirers. Within the last two or three months I have had several reports from our brethren in Amoy of the resolute stand taken by an entire native church headed by its pastor in the city of Chiu Chow, situated not far to the north of Swatow, in this (Quangtung) province. It is a native independent church, with a membership of more than fifty; and the Amoy brethren report that practically all the members of the church have deliberately elected to “face about,” and keep the Sabbath, and that, too, in the face of much opposition.

Only the other day a preacher of seven years’ experience, located at a distance of about sixty miles from here (Canton), called and testified to his faith in, and his obedience to, the Sabbath, though he still continues to preach on Sunday to his small congregation, who do not yet

see the light, except one who has taken his stand with the preacher. It is now about six weeks since two young men were baptized into the Canton church, and three members of the girls’ school are waiting the glad day when they shall be buried with their Saviour.

Encouraging reports of hopeful and substantial progress come from Lo Shan, Shang-tsai, Sin-yang, Fat Shan; and during these days Brother Wilbur is opening up a new work in the city of Kong Mun, a large port about fifty miles from here; while Brother J. P. Anderson is opening a chapel for Hakka preaching here in the city of Canton, as a stepping-stone to entering actively, after more preparation, into Hakka territory.

These are all victories of the truth; and thus is the message winning its way among this people. In all this there is much cause for rejoicing on the part of all the faithful and devoted brethren and sisters in the home land, as well as in the case of us who are here in the midst of these workings.

J. N. ANDERSON.