J. N. ANDERSON by J. N. Anderson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Aug 25, 1904

J. N. ANDERSON

By J. N. Anderson

China

CANTON.—The Chinese girls' school has been a success so far. And while no visible results appear, it is certain that it has already done much good. There has been a regular attendance of twenty-five, and fully that many more applied for admission, but in vain, because we could not accommodate them. It has opened several homes to Bible study, and otherwise prepared the way for the truth. The school will reopen about September 1. This is a work that does not call for a great outlay of means, and at the same time there is a fair prospect of good results. It is a splendid way of reaching the homes of this people.

We are planning to open a school for Chinese boys, and we intend to teach both Chinese and English. The demand for the latter is very strong in Canton, and in this way we shall be able to come into close touch with a good class of Chinese, who would be hard to reach without some such means. We hope to find a few young men whom we can readily train for evangelistic service. Here in the south we are in desperate need of native helpers, and I believe the Lord will speedily give us just such help. I am able to preach some, but it will still be some time before I can publicly set forth the truth effectively and intelligently.

The English instruction in our proposed school will yield some financial returns, which will contribute materially to the expenses of the school. A young English engineer just out of the navy, for some time a believer in the truth, is with us now, conducting English classes, and we had thought some of setting him to work in our school. He could do this work in connection with his evening classes, and thus his living could be secured without much expense to the board. At the same time it would leave Brother Wilbur and myself comparatively free to push along our evangelistic work, such as preaching and getting out literature.

One of the conditions of entrance to this school is that regular instruction in the Bible shall constitute a part of the daily program, and that every student shall attend a Bible study on Sabbath. It is a little difficult to find faithful, disinterested native helpers. Many are willing to serve us in a professional way for reasonable wages. They are preachers or teachers, as the case may be, by profession, and it makes little difference to them what they preach, or for whom; but it makes a world of difference to us. By means of our school, or otherwise, we hope to get true native assistants.

At present I am working on our first tract. I hope to get it out within a few

weeks, and as soon as possible have it followed by others. Our printing outfit in Honan is now complete by the arrival of type, papers, etc., from Japan within the last few weeks. I suppose they will at once get out small leaflets and Bible readings.

Brother Wilbur will soon move to Canton. We felt that was the best, all things considered. We also look for one or two extra men from the States. It takes so long to get them into active work that their coming ought not to be delayed.