China by John J. Westrup

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 18, 1906

China

By John J. Westrup

KULING.—We are now in Mt. Kuling—thirty-five hundred feet above sea-level—where about one thousand missionaries and other foreigners spend the hot summer months. The heat on the plain is so intense that those foreigners who stay there can do scarcely anything for two months but to try to keep well, and contend with a trying, emaciating disease, and at the best lose considerable health and strength.

Rent and food are very expensive here; but health is worth more than money. We never take a step without first ascertaining the Lord’s will; and, praise be to his name, every child of God can enjoy the privilege of John 14:21. God wanted us to come here, where we can study hard all summer, and have great opportunity for missionary work. Most of the missionaries are as set against the truth as the ministers are at home; but thanks be to God, a few are sincere. We are giving them the truth. Some will reject it. We are praying earnestly that some may accept it.

On the twelfth of July we met in Lo Shan, to consider some very important matters in connection with our work. Of the first importance was our press work. We all realize that the printed page is going to be an important factor in giving the closing message to this people—as in America, so here.

A little while ago our teacher handed our Chinese paper to a Chinese professor in a Methodist college. It contained an article on the Sabbath. The professor became interested in the Sabbath question, and came to us for more light on the subject. This is only one instance of what the printed page may do. Those who are able to read are willing to read anything, and have plenty of time to do it.

Our press is now twenty miles from the railroad, which necessitates, in many ways, a considerable outlay of precious time and money. For many reasons, it was unanimously decided to build for the press in Sin Iang Cheo, a large city situated on the railroad, and thus also open up a new mission station there. That would leave the Shang-tsai Hsien Mission station vacant, as Dr. H. W. Miller and Brother and Sister Allum are associated with the press work. As we were two families in Lo Shan, the brethren, by a unanimous vote, invited us to take charge of the Shang-tsai Hsien Mission station. So our address henceforward is Shang-tsai Hsien, Honan, Via Hankow, China.

We are bending all our efforts to get our press in good working order. Much present truth should be printed quickly. We are thankful for the few hundred dollars we have received already. God is behind this step, and we are sure that he will move on generous hearts to give us all we need.

When I think of all these great cities and villages, teeming with people who have never heard a word of this all-important message—350,000,000 Mandarin-speaking people—and only a few to give them the third angel’s message, can you wonder that I can not write an article without uttering the Macedonian cry? The early Christians collected in Jerusalem, until the Lord scattered them by a severe persecution. We are plainly told by the spirit of prophecy that God has begun to pour out his judgments upon the earth, preparatory to the coming of our dear Lord. And we see this with our own eyes.

He lets these judgments fall for two purposes: One is to arouse his people to give the closing message quickly to the waiting heathen. It seems to me that the San Francisco disaster ought to speak to our people in thunder tones. Although we have not had the privilege to read the special number of the Signs, yet it affected us in distant China in such a way that we shall never forget it. How much more blessed it is to give your means and service as a free-will offering, than to wait until circumstances almost force you to carry the message to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” The day will soon come when all our energies and means must be used in finishing the work in the mission field.

JOHN J. WESTRUP.