FOO-CHOW, CHINA by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 29, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 13.

FOO-CHOW, CHINA.

By Editor

A FEW weeks ago we published extracts from a letter from Rev. Nathan Sites, a Methodist missionary at Foo-Chow. Following are extracts from a letter from the same source:—

"Above all showing of figures is the victory we have gained throughout the entire district in winning the confidence and respect of the ruling classes—both officials and literary men, as well as the good will of the people at large.

"In the Fourteenth Township twelve years ago our rented chapel was mobbed and our preachers driven away. For ten years we had here no place of worship. But some years ago a poor, ignorant old woman came from that township to Foo-Chow for medical treatment, and heard of Jesus while at the hospital. She returned to her home fully trusting in Christ, and ever since she has constantly been telling abroad to her friends and neighbors all she knows of the way of life.

"All these years she has walked six miles every week to hear the gospel. She has plead with every preacher she has met to go to her township and open a chapel. Last year we went, rented, preached, and eight souls were converted in as many months, while many more were interested hearers.

"News has just come of twenty more turning to the Lord. From among this people three bright, earnest women are at present attending the Woman's Training School here in Foo-Chow.

"In the Fifteenth Township a man named Wong Ching Dien was for eleven years a confirmed opium smoker, and kept an opium and gambling den. Two years ago he was cured of his opium habit, and, better still, was thoroughly converted. He gave up his evil practices and began preaching Christ to his former opium patrons. His family looked on, incredulous and amazed, but, finding him true to his new faith, they all came to worship the God who had done such a work of grace in their family. His old mother, fifty-seven years of age, said, 'It is a miracle; and

any religion which can so transform my wicked son, making him kind to his wife and children and dutiful to me, must be the true doctrine.'

"Since that time she has of her own accord gone about from place to place, telling to others the wonderful grace of God. She has walked as far as ten miles in a day on her little bound feet to give others the knowledge of salvation through Christ. Foo-Chow, with all her numbers, could provide no suitable woman to superintend the care of the waifs at the orphanage, and so from Ming Chaing was brought this Mrs. Wong to mother the babes and teach them how to live Christ lives. What a contrast from her life two years ago, when the dark shadow of the opium den shut out heaven's love and light from her home and heart!"