China by B. L. Anderson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 20, 1906

China

By B. L. Anderson

KULANGSU, AMOY.—Although I have been silent for quite a long time, I have not been inactive. My hope was never brighter, and the future never looked more encouraging. All is well so far; we reached China safely, and are now quite pleasantly located on the sea beach. As there are two families of us, it is possible for us to live in a foreign-built house, and the preservation of our health really demands it.

Since leaving the States Mrs. Anderson has lost her mother. She passed away the morning of the same day that we reached Kobe, Japan. Knowing the condition of her health, we had felt that we should not see her again till the resurrection morning; but we felt that duty called us to go without delay. It was a great shock to us that the first letter from home should contain the announcement of mother's death.

We are not at all sorry that we have come, and when I consider the great work there is to be done in China, I am sorry we delayed so long, and wonder why China was not entered by the third angel's message at a much earlier date. And I still wonder why there is delay. It seems to me that every province in China should at once be entered by a corps of strong young workers, so that they may acquire a knowledge of the different languages, and thus be ready to do aggressive work when the ‘pillar of cloud’ rises. I verily believe that the Lord will do a quick work in the ‘land of Sinim.’

OUR CHINESE MINISTER, ELDER KEH, AND HIS FAMILY

The message is onward in the Fookin Province. One after another is taking his stand for the truth. Last evening Brethren Keh and Hankins and I returned from our third visit at Chin Chew, a city of over one hundred thousand inhabitants, and about seventy miles to the north of Amoy.

It is from Chin Chew that we have received letters from members of the Presbyterian Mission who were much interested in the Sabbath, inviting us, yes, almost importuning us, to come and teach them the gospel. We delayed and gave them no encouragement for months, to test their sincerity. In the early part of August we went up to investigate and found two or three keeping the Sabbath, others desiring to, but circumstances prevented. We, however, saw no light in opening a mission, and were about to return home when we were earnestly requested by an interested person to remain over the Sabbath. Brother Keh and another native worker remained, and as a result two men of good reputation took a firm stand for the Sabbath. The interested ones at once saw the need of a house in which to worship, and immediately set about to secure such a place. A suitable building, at a reasonable rental (two dollars Mexican a month), has now been secured; but it will take about one hundred dollars gold to put it in proper shape for a chapel. During our second visit to Chin Chew a goodly number of inquirers came in; the meetings held were well attended, and two old men gave up their tobacco, and were buried with their Lord in baptism. Tobacco and the keeping of the Sabbath have no fellowship in China.

Our third visit to Chin Chew was most remarkable; inquirers came in such numbers that at one time there were between twenty and thirty present, to learn about the Sabbath, state of the dead, destiny of the wicked, and other doctrines that Adventists believe and teach.

The Lord is working at Chin Chew. His Spirit is impressing the hearts of the people. One by one they take their stand, although they meet with opposition and persecution. At the present time there is a company of about twelve keeping the Sabbath, and many are thinking very seriously over the matter.

As for Amoy, it speaks for itself. Six have been baptized since our arrival. And just now upon our return home the good news came to us that a young preacher for the Chinese Free Church has decided to keep all of God's commandments. Of course that will mean his separation from the London Mission. About the time this letter reaches you, we shall organize a Seventh-day Adventist church in Kulangsu, Amoy, China. Rejoice with us!

Recently there has come an urgent call from Swatow. And so earnest was the request that Brother Keh should come to them without delay, that boat money was sent him. Brother Keh will go to Swatow on the first Hongkong steamer, and remain there ten days or a fortnight as the case may demand. A teacher in the Baptist Mission school is very much interested in the Sabbath, and he desires instruction in other points of our faith as well. We are looking for the message to get a foothold in Swatow, and that will really mean that a foreign worker must be located there, as their language is different from that of Amoy and Canton.

We feel to thank our Heavenly Father for his protection and mercy, and for what he is doing in China. And just in this connection I wish to thank the Mission Board for its favorable action in regard to the tent for the Fookin Province. It was more than we expected. It never occurred to us to ask for a family tent. We are getting so used to sleeping on the convex decks of Chinese sailboats, and in Chinese homes.

on a Chinese bed, which is a plain board, with the soft side up, if there be any, that we thought sleeping in a big tent would be the thing in order; but we are glad and thankful that the Mission Board is more thoughtful, and that its ideas are more modern. I trust we shall be able to operate the tent to good advantage, and that we shall not be molested by unruly men nor by the rock tigers. There are many of each.

B. L. ANDERSON.