IN THE INTERIOR OF CHINA.
By A. C. Selmon
PREACHING the Gospel to the people in the interior of China presents some problems that are peculiar to the field. While there is but one Gospel, yet its presentation must be adapted to the people. In the first place, the Gospel is a new doctrine to the Chinese, and one that is diametrically opposed to the doctrines that they and their fathers have held for ages. It is very difficult for them to understand any abstract terms. This is evidenced in their written language, since the characters used show very plainly, in many cases, that they were originally pictures of the thought to be expressed. We find it true in preaching the Gospel, that a picture, or some kind of illustration, is almost indispensable in order to make them understand. The truth must be pictured or acted out before they can comprehend it. The accompanying picture shows my native evangelist preaching to a crowd in a market place. The subject is a painting showing the broad and narrow way. On the table before him are Bible portions and tracts for sale. The people are always attracted by a picture, and hundreds of people hear the Gospel truth for the first time. An interest is awakened in some, which leads them to buy a Gospel portion or tract, in order that they may learn more of this strange, new doctrine. The proportion of illiterate people is very large. This is especially true of the working class and tradesmen in both country and city. The women are practically all illiterate, the estimate being that only one in ten thousand can read. Those who become interested in the Gospel, and yet can not read, make very slow progress as a rule; and so it is that, no matter how old they may be, we endeavor to teach them to read. A glance at a list of Chinese characters will convince you that even for a native to learn to read Chinese is a far different problem from that confronting one who starts to learn to read English. It is encouraging to see that those who accept the Gospel learn to read the New Testament very quickly, in spite of all difficulties. One man of sixty-five who first heard the Gospel here a few months ago, has already learned to read a good portion of Matthew and John; and, in addition, has learned several songs. A. C. Selmon, M. D.