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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 18, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 16.

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China

By A. C. Selmon

SIANG CHENG.—It is encouraging to see that the message is gaining ground in all lands. The end seems nearer when we can see such progress. For such fields as this, I have faith to believe that the Lord will raise up messengers to help. I feel sure that we shall have a large number out from the home lands in the next year or two; but in addition to this, there are some already on the field who will accept the truth and cast their lot with us, just as Brother P. J. Laird, of the English Church, has done. We are doing quite a little in the way of distributing literature, and are planning to keep at it. In addition to the Signs, we hope to get “Daniel and Revelation” into the hands of as many missionaries as possible.
There are some conditions here that must be studied in the field. We have had to begin at the very bottom in our work; and, in addition to the trouble of getting the language, there have been some other difficulties, which have been very trying. Our work in many ways is taking on a brighter aspect. We are beginning to see some fruits from the literature we have put out, and it stirs us to put greater effort forth to distribute reading-matter.
None of our literature can be translated literally into the Chinese language. It must be adapted to the people. The parts that can be understood by the native can be used. In his ignorance of history and affairs of the world, he is limited in the things that he can comprehend.
Personally, I have great cause to thank the Lord that we have had good health here at our station this summer. I have two men now who can go out to some of the surrounding territory. Before we could speak the language well or knew much of the characteristics of the people, our efforts were hindered, because we had a number of false Christians around us, who deceived us by their seeming piety. And while we have only a slight grasp of the situation now, yet China seems an altogether different place to me at the present time, compared with what it did a year ago. But some of these experiences may be of some help yet, because those who come now will not have to meet them. A. C. SELMON.