W. C. HANKINS by W. C. Hankins

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 1, 1906

W. C. HANKINS

By W. C. Hankins

KULANGSU, AMOY.—A short time ago I wrote you of the opening up of the work in the city of Tsoan Chiu. Last week Elder B. L. Anderson, Elder Keh, and I went again to this city, and stayed from Thursday until Monday. Sabbath morning I spoke to a company of about thirty, who assembled at the home of one of the brethren; my subject was the second coming of Christ. The Holy Spirit was present to impress on the hearts of the listeners the words spoken.

After the service, many of the congregation collected in little groups of three or four, discussing what they had heard, and other important subjects, while they waited for the afternoon service. In the afternoon Elder Keh spoke on baptism, and at the end of the service two aged men arose, and expressed their desire to be baptized. One of these, the elder I mentioned in my previous report, is sixty-five years old, and the other is seventy-six. After the service, we repaired to the river, outside the city walls, and there in a quiet spot they were baptized.

Then the spirit of prayer came upon many of those present, and a number of fervent, earnest petitions ascended to God, the two candidates taking part in this service. It would be an inspiration to our brethren in America, I am sure, as it is to us, if they could see how eagerly these brethren seize every opportunity for Bible study. They sit and study, or listen to us, for hours, without showing the least signs of fatigue. I feel that these words come very far short of giving a real idea of what it is like. It must be seen to be appreciated.

We read with glad hearts of the educational convention held at College View, and how those present volunteered to go where the Lord should call. We hope that good news of ripe harvest-fields in China will cause conferences in the States to send laborers at their own expense to our help. We need two men now to come here and help in this work. At least one should be an experienced teacher, who could train young men in the message. As soon as they can get here and acquire the language, will be none too soon. Whoever comes should be of good health, and if married men, their wives, too, should have good health. This climate is very enervating, and it requires all the power of a healthy person to stand it. But by careful living, and with the protection God extends to his children, we may hope to have reasonably good health.

My heart longs for the time when our brethren in the States will really sense the needs of these vast Asiatic fields, and when the conferences will send at least half their workers to these fields, and support them. It must be done some time; why not now? We have hardly touched these fields yet; and they must be warned in the next few years. Brethren, it is nearly time to go home. Let us arise and finish the work that the Master has given us to do, that when he comes, we may not be ashamed to meet him. May God send reapers into these whitening harvest-fields is my prayer.