Bible Work for the Chinese
By A. C. Selmon, M. D.
THE most effective worker among the Chinese is the thoroughly converted native, who has a good knowledge of the Bible. It is encouraging to see the interest that is manifested among the common people in the study of the Bible. This is especially true of the people who live in the country, and who are, as a rule, much more ready to accept the gospel than those in the cities. Many of them have already become dissatisfied with their heathen religions, and some have come to us, saying they found it of no use to pray to their gods, for their prayers were never answered. It is a blessed privilege to take such an inquirer as this, and tell him of the prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God. From our own experiences, we can testify more fully now than ever before that we have such a God; for, among a class of priests and people devoted to the worship of Satan, we can see the Lord’s protection manifested in many ways. Through the work carried on by the large Bible societies, the Bible can be placed in the hands of all who wish it. A complete Chinese Bible can be secured for less than fifteen cents in gold, and Bible portions, such as one of the Gospels, for half a cent. In teaching these people the Bible, and in presenting any of the truths of Christianity, a difficulty one meets at the outset is this: their terms for love, friendship, kindness, pity, mercy, etc., do not mean the same to them as these words do to us. Their word “love” has the same force to them as the word “like” has to us. Where we would say, “I like this horse or this food,” they would get the same idea from this as if the word “love” were used. In fact, there is very little love among them, until it has been developed by a knowledge of the One who is love. When one thinks of the conditions of their life, it is not so strange that this should be so; for how can the young man love the bride that he has never seen previous to the day of their marriage?—this is the custom that is followed in their marriages. How can the little girl love her mother, when that mother from day to day is inflicting upon her daughter the most cruel torture by binding her feet? Where is the mother-love, when a Chinese mother will take her living infant and cast it away by the roadside, or in some neglected spot, to become a prey for the birds and dogs? But we know the Holy Spirit can enable their darkened minds to understand the precious Bible truths, and can awaken in their hearts a love for the One who gave his life for them. The Lord has declared that his word would accomplish that whereunto it was sent, and the faithful in this land of Sinim, who are to be gathered out, will receive the gospel.