Opening of the China Field
By J. O. CORLISS
The Experiences of Former Days—No. 19
Opening of the China Field
Some time prior to 1880, a bachelor considerably past middle life was living in Honolulu, who, while attending a gospel meeting, was stirred to consecrate his life to the Lord. Shortly afterward he drifted to California, and there received the third angel's message. It took so strong a hold upon him that he meditated almost constantly how he might fit himself to carry to others the message he so dearly loved. His whole soul was bound up in the thought of the Lord's coming, and he made no provision for anything else but a readiness for that event. This man was Brother A. LaRue. In 1881, while herding sheep in Anderson Valley, in northern California, he pleaded, in his isolation, that a way might be provided for him to carry the truth to his fellow13men. So when Healdsburg College was opened, although he was a gray-haired man, he spent considerable time in the pursuit of knowledge at that institution. In the latter part of 1884, in company with Brother L. A. Scott, he went to Honolulu, and did house-to-house work with our publications. Quite an interest was raised through the colporteur work done, and the foundation was laid for a good-sized church, which was afterward developed by ministerial labor. As soon, however, as he could be relieved from that post, he set sail for China. On the voyage he worked among the sailors, and upon arrival in Hongkong, one of them, named Olsen, was ready to take hold of the work there with him. The Lord gave him the very help he was about to need, knowing that he would long for human sympathy, in the midst of what he was soon to meet. At that time (1890) Hongkong was largely dominated by Catholics, who would brook no interference with their plans. They therefore tried to drive Brother LaRue from the colony. At first they offered Brother Olsen profitable employment if he would leave Brother LaRue. When this ruse failed, they threatened to take Brother LaRue's life. But the intrepid septuagenarian refused to depart, knowing that he was called of God to occupy that field, he would be cared for, as God cares for his own. To master the Chinese language was out of the question for one of his advanced years, so he contented himself with laboring for those to whom he could make himself understood. To one with less courage and tenacity, the task would have been a discouraging one. But nothing daunted Brother LaRue. Through those who knew the Chinese language, he sought to reach that people. Up and down the coast of the country he traveled, handing out literature at the mission stations. He went to Japan; in fact, to every place where he thought he might do good. He was indefatigable in his ship-mission work. When seventy-seven years of age, he gave up his ship work, only because he was unable longer to climb up the sides of the ships from his boat. But he did not cease his activity. From that time on till the end of his life, he sold health foods, and so continued to meet the people. During his more active life he formed the acquaintance of a Chinese translator in the law courts. This man translated several tracts, and part of the book “Steps to Christ,” and these were circulated among the people. Brother LaRue lived in strong conviction that he would not go down in death, but during the last few weeks of his life he was frequently seen walking through the cemetery, with his cheeks bathed in tears. He evidently had become impressed with the idea that he must lie down, and rest from his labors till the Master's return. At last he was smitten with a fever that quickly ended his life. But his work lives after him. Brother and Sister Anderson and Sister Thompson were soon in the field, and have been doing excellent work in Canton, the largest city of southern China. Brother and Sister Wilbur have also been stationed in the great “yellow” country, engaged in selling health foods, and in following up other interests started by him who fell at his post. Brother and Sister Pilquist, who have been more than twelve years in that country, have been conducting work in the far interior, with some success. Thus the work which was entered upon at first by self-sacrifice, still moves on in China, whence many will come to meet the Lord at his appearing.