Central China by J. N. Anderson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 5, 1903

Central China

By J. N. Anderson

J. N. ANDERSON

FEBRUARY 4-22 I spent with the workers of our mission in Central China, located at Sin Iang Cheo, about one hundred and twenty-five miles north of Hankow, the commercial center of this section of China.

Although this work has been recently opened, yet a considerable footing has been gained. Brother Pilquist has secured a large Chinese house with ample room for living-rooms for his family, for the native gospel helpers, and for school rooms and chapel. The seed sown in the daily Bible studies has begun to take root. On Sabbath, February 14, six men who have responded to the gospel were baptized in the little stream which flows just outside the city wall. One of these is acting as an evangelist, affording Brother Pilquist an able native helper.

On Sunday these six, with Brother and Sister Pilquist, were organized into a church—the first Seventh-day Adventist church in the vast empire of China. Two other men who were not present on the occasion of baptism have fully identified themselves as believers, as far as possible without this ordinance. One of these lives about forty miles from here, but has made several trips to the mission on foot, spending a few days each time to receive instruction. Some years ago he with four others in his place accepted the Christian religion through the teaching of the English Church, but, being isolated, they have not enjoyed church associations. The third angel's message found a joyous response in his heart, and through him has reached the other four. At his earnest solicitation, a mission chapel has been opened in his native village as an outstation of the mission at Sin Iang Cheo.

Another man who has been attending the studies for the past few weeks has renounced his idols and turned to God. He is advanced beyond the age when it is usual for these people so bound by tradition, to forsake the religion of their fathers; but before the workers at the mission were aware that he was really interested, he had rented a piece of ground to till for the support of himself and his youngest son, who is the only dependent member of his family, and had taken up his abode near the mission; because, as he said, he desired to be taught in the Word, and to unite with this people, and to have his son attend the mission school. Another person always in attendance at the Bible studies is a well-educated man whom the Lord has released from the opium habit. He felt very sad on the day of baptism because his name was not enrolled among the candidates, but it was thought best to ask him to wait awhile.

The wife of Ho, who was one of the six men baptized, desires publicly to acknowledge her faith in Christ; but in common with the great majority of Chinese women, she has not been taught to read, a very great hindrance to her acquirement of an intelligent faith.

In response to an urgent request of another who has been to the mission on several occasions, Brother Pilquist, the evangelist, and myself accompanied him to his own city. We reached the place unannounced at about 4 P. M., but by seven o'clock a meeting place had been prepared, and about two hundred men gathered to hear the Word of God, among them some of the city officials. In the morning we were invited to visit the chief mandarin, who received us with true oriental hospitality. Later news reports a real interest to hear the message in that place, and brings the request for a chapel to be opened there.

In addition to preaching and teaching, Gospels and other portions of the Scripture are being distributed, and thus the message is radiating over a considerable area. A boy's school has just been opened with fourteen boys in attendance. This number will be increased as the school becomes known. One of the six baptized is well qualified to act as teacher of the school. Thus it would seem that a good work is already well begun, with two men ready to render assistance. A piece of ground to be tilled by the boys of the school, some of whom are not able to support themselves while in school, is needed. This may be rented at a reasonable price, and will produce two crops a year. A good, tried man is needed to connect with this mission station at once. The work is advancing, but it needs your earnest prayers and liberal support.