China by W. C. Hankins

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 28, 1906

China

By W. C. Hankins

AMOY.—Not long ago a young native preacher, Tan Hu by name, came in from the country, and, after thoroughly investigating the points of truth held by us as a people, accepted the truth, and began to preach it to others. Later, he went to Canton with Brother Keh, where he was baptized. Returning to this province, he again took up his work in the country.

He went from village to village, preaching the truth. And often his wife would strap her young babe on her back, and go with him, she talking to the women while he preached to the men.

A short time ago, however, a neighboring family took sick with the plague, and he nursed them. They died, and in a few days he, too, took the disease, and on Sabbath, February 3, died. Although he knew he must die, he was cheerful and happy to the end. He exhorted the members of his father's family to watch and pray, lest Satan should rob them of their eternal life. He told them that the Lord was soon coming, and warned them to get ready to meet him. He asked them not to sorrow for him, for he was ready to die.

So, while our hearts are grieved at his sudden death, we are comforted by the thought that we may hope to meet him on the resurrection morning. We all loved him like a brother, and his death is a sad blow to us. He gave promise of developing into a strong worker for the Master, and so we can only say that, while we do not understand why he should be taken from us and from the work just now, yet we are sure that our Heavenly Father will bring good out of it, and that even his death will in some way be used to advance the cause he loved.

May the Lord impress the last words of this dear brother upon the hearts of his relatives and friends, and help them to prepare to meet him when the Lord comes.

LATER.—I have just received some news which I am sure will be of interest.

Tan Hu's father has begun to keep the Sabbath. The Sabbath after Tan Hu died, his father went over to the village where his son had succeeded in bringing together about twenty people, who met each Sabbath to worship God, and there, of his own accord, took up the work his son laid down.

One of our workers went over a few days ago, to see what condition things were in at this place, and returned last evening with the above news.

I understand that the whole family is with him in this step, as his daughter, who formerly came to the London Mission

Girls' School here in Kulangsu, does not come now, on account of the Sabbath.

Thus we see how Tan Hu's faithful life and brave death are already bearing fruit. The way God is working here is marvelous in our eyes; and every day seems to bring fresh evidence of his power, and fresh surprises to us who see the results. W. C. HANKINS.