Your ShelfYour Projects

Hunan, China

17%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 27, 1915

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 26.

Read the full edition

Hunan, China

S. G. WHITE
It is most encouraging to know that when heathen Chinese, who have never heard the name of Jehovah or of his Son, Jesus, receive from the missionary a tract or paper, for the first time, they intuitively recognize it as coming from a higher source than that to which they are accustomed. From early childhood they are taught to revere idols of wood and stone, and even to worship the earth they till and the water they carry and drink, because these contribute to their comfort and need.
A man who carries water and thus makes money wherewith to buy his rice, offers incense to the river god. You can see him on the river bank at certain seasons of the year, with a few burning sticks of incense stuck in the ground, firing off a few firecrackers to awaken the river god. Then on knees bowing low, he does obeisance to the supposed source of his blessings. Still, such souls can recognize the ray of light, and their inward soul desires to know the source from which it emanates, realizing that it leads out of darkness. They instantly know that the voice which has spoken to their hearts is no common voice. The reform wrought in the lives of those who accept the gospel and follow on to know God, is marvelous.
Here in Hunan, we are constantly receiving pleadings for help, and at our general meeting, held in Changsha in February, request upon request was presented, such as the following: “Send us a teacher who can lead us. We have at this place five [sometimes ten or more] who are living the light revealed and have a burning desire to advance in the divine light and life.” From one place came this word: “Inclosed find our note for $150. If you will send us a teacher and open a chapel here where we may hear the gospel, we will cash the note and contribute $850 more to help defray the expense.”
In China they have plenty of sounding brass and clanging cymbals, both literal and figurative. It is light bearers, hearts filled with the light of God’s love, for which they plead.