Fukien Local Council by B. L. Anderson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 11, 1907

Fukien Local Council

By B. L. Anderson

SINCE the very first, forward has been the trend of the third angel's message in China. As the Lord leads the way, the laborers have sought to follow and be used by the Lord of the harvest in gathering in the sheaves. So fast has the message advanced, that not only general organization presses itself upon us, but the enlarging of the work in different sections demands that each province be organized locally.

Accordingly, at the close of the Shanghai council, Brethren W. W. Prescott, H. W. Miller, and J. N. Anderson accompanied the laborers from Fukien to their home field, for the purpose of acquainting themselves more fully with the progress of the work, and bringing about a local organization.

Sunday morning, February 24, after a pleasant voyage, our company arrived at Amoy. As there was not time for the visiting brethren to call at the out-stations,—To-kang, To-koe, and Chin Chen,—the native workers and believers were invited to Amoy. Two meetings a day were held, much to the profit and edification of all present. Three distinct Chinese languages were represented—Mandarin, Fukienese, and Cantonese. All the speaking was done through an interpreter, even Chinese itself. To illustrate: when Dr. Miller spoke in Mandarin Chinese, Brother Keh translated into Fukien Chinese; and even then Elder J. N. Anderson, who also is a proper Chinaman, could not understand a word. The converse of this was also true. China has many languages, and each language has a multitude of dialects.

On the evening of February 27 a council meeting was held. A committee, consisting of W. C. Hankins, N. P. Keh, and B. L. Anderson, was appointed to have the immediate oversight of the work in Fukien Province. B. L. Anderson was invited to act as secretary and treasurer. The school question received considerable attention. It was advised that a church-school be organized at Kulangsu, in the near future, and, after the hot season, a school for girls be opened in the city of Amoy.

The situation at Chin Chen demanded that immediate action be taken, and it was, therefore, decided that the property already under consideration be secured, that we may have a permanent church building, and also a suitable place for a school for the believers in Chin Chen.

For the benefit of our Chinese brethren and workers, Professor Prescott advised that they be invited to remain a week

or ten days after our local meeting, and be given instruction on the subjects that were presented at Shanghai, and that similar instruction be given in the future, as occasion permits.

Time being so short, no trips were made into the country, except a few hours' ride on a steam launch up one of the rivers, so that just a glimpse of the country might be had, and an idea formed of the interior.

Thursday evening, February 28, our visitors bade us farewell, and proceeded on their way to Canton.

B. L. ANDERSON.