E. H. WILBUR by E. H. Wilbur

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 9, 1906

E. H. WILBUR

By E. H. Wilbur

China

CANTON.—Ignorance of the language and customs of the people has been a great barrier to our work here; nevertheless we are making progress. Little by little we are adding to our list of publications on present truth, but they ought to be multiplied. We issued five thousand calendars, which are sure to do good. These can now be seen posted up in many places of business in Canton. The cost of printing was about twenty dollars, gold. Already we have sold two thousand copies on the streets of Canton, for which ten dollars, gold, has been received. Besides this, we sent five hundred to Amoy, two hundred to Singapore, and three hundred to other places. New-year’s festivities are now nearly over, and I expect again to push the sale of the calendar.

Thus far the Baptist Publishing Society in Canton has willingly done our printing for us at low rates. But it seems to me that it would be a wise thing for us to start a small printing plant of our own. I think the work could be done, partially, at least, by the students in our boys’ school. This would help the school and assist in getting out our literature. There is a constantly increasing demand for better printing in Canton, and outside work could be done at a profit.

The Mandarin literature issued by our brethren in central China is not practical for use here, as it can not be well understood, and they are too far away (fifteen hundred miles by water route—the only means of communication from Hankow) to do printing for us, or for us to do work for them. If we should print for only the three southern provinces,—Fukien, Quangtong, and Quangsi, we would represent a population of over fifty millions. This is a wide field, and we must go to work in earnest to get the truth before the people.

The sanitarium work is another important line that must receive encouragement. The Lord has pointed out that this work is the right hand of the message, that will open the door of opportunity, and, while blessing humanity physically, will prepare their hearts for the reception of the truth. We are very glad that Dr. and Mrs. Law Keem have come to take up this work. The doctor, having a knowledge of the Chinese language, has been a great help to us already. All are of good courage.