Labors in China by P. J. Laird

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 11, 1907

Labors in China

By P. J. Laird

P. J. LAIRD

On Christmas eve we had hardly finished lunch when a familiar voice was heard at the front door. Going to answer the call, we found, as expected, that it was Liu Changshan, with his wife. This man was our first convert, a result of co-operating with the Lord at Yungchow, Hunan, some years ago. During his stay of three days at Changsha, we had many pleasant times together, reviewing past experiences, and recalling our fellowship in the gospel. Vividly the old scenes came to mind: the first visit to Yungchow from Heuilin; the persistency of the magistrate that I should be his guest during the brief visit; the crowds that flocked to hear the preaching, the one special subject of which was the blessings of the gospel, contrasted with those sought by the people. The natives could not await their turns, but had clutched madly at the sheet tracts which illustrated the theme. When leaving the city, presents had been many and varied—dried ducks, bacon, oranges, dates, mushrooms, rice, candies, eggs, vegetables, vermicelli, and bottles of wine. According to etiquette, many articles were returned, only to be brought to me again. The wine was refused on principle.

Having dispensed with chairs, my cook and I reached Kueilin footsore and weary. But our hearts were all aglow, because God had deigned to use his servants and answer their prayer. It had been decided to open Yungchow as a mission center. And the time before the Chinese New-year being so short, we had to set out quickly on the return journey. A few days out, a whole load of articles was stolen by an underling sent from the magistrate to care for us. Not until eight months later, and only after persistent dealing, were the articles recovered, and then only in part.

Eventually a chapel was opened. Then those who had professed themselves as friends, on finding their operations were being watched too closely, turned to be enemies and slanderers.

Students came in from the eight counties of Yungchow by the thousands, for the much-coveted first, or B. A., degree. Only one hundred and twelve of these were given. We held services almost continuously. Our books were exhibited, and found many purchasers among the crowds attending the examinations. To follow up the work, as well as to get acquainted with the district, Liu and I took some boxes of books, on an itinerating trip. What a glorious time we had! To me there was no work so entrancing.

Although we were the first foreigners most of the natives at Tao had seen, they made me stay at their own houses, rather than in an inn, according to custom. Then nothing would do but we must go to their ancestral village, and stay two nights. Not content with hearing themselves, they threw open their doors in the city and village, that the common people might hear the gospel. Numbers availed themselves of the opportunity.

The next stopping-place was Ningquan. We could not get books out fast enough, as the people clamored and pressed around us. Three times the boxes had to be visited, to replenish the stock. There is always the assurance in this country that most, if not all, literature will be read; and usually it will be kept. In vain we tried to get a good rest next day. The villagers would come, asking our business, and desiring to hear the message of salvation.

Kianghua and Yungming were visited in turn. The latter was not very good ground for seed sowing, but about a dollar's worth of Gospels and tracts was sold.

It would be difficult to estimate the thousands who must have read or heard the Word as a result of the distribution of reading-matter on this trip.

Brother Liu returned to Yungchow, to hold the fort, while I continued to Kueilin by a different route. On my next visit to the former place, a colleague accompanied me. The students were assembling there again, and the opportunity was embraced, as before. Nearly ten thousand Gospels and tracts were distributed among them, as they came away from the examination halls. Our greatest joy here was occasioned by the baptism of Liu Changshan, May 2, 1904.

The district through which the journeys already mentioned were made, and where the seed was sown, has remained untouched these three years. Hearing from the old mission of my arrival, dear Brother Liu came all the way from Yungchow to Changsha, to urge me to go up and help them to be more like Christ in conduct and example. This trip had meant seventeen days down the river. He told us it would take him a month on the return journey. All this was at his own expense. Moreover, he brought another baptized man, to emphasize the request. When he left, tears filled his eyes at the thought of returning without his old friend. O the disappointment to the heart of Jesus that people can hear the gospel only once in three years!

One man I met in Japan has accepted Jesus as the Saviour—the direct result of hearing the message in those days. How he pleaded with me that my lips should carry the “good tidings of great joy” to his father and family at Tao, as they had to his own. He even gave me a letter of introduction to his father.

Now a letter comes from Brother Liu, en route. He says he has met a friend from Tao, who gives us a hearty invitation to go and open up medical work there. This friend has a fine large house, which he will fit up as desired, without any cost to us. The rent will be but eighty dollars per annum. Would to God we had some keen, spiritually minded evangelists to send. The Lord speaks, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”