General Meeting of the Asiatic Division of the General Conference
By F. E. Stafford
THE annual meeting of the China Union Mission, together with the triennial meeting of the Asiatic Division of the General Conference, which was held in Shanghai, January 24 to February 10, was an occasion which will be long remembered by all those who were privileged to attend.
All our workers in China were present, representing the eight provinces in which we have work established; and besides these, delegates were present from Japan, Korea, the Straits Settlements, and the Philippines.
The meeting was marked by great earnestness and careful searching of heart on the part of every one present; and a spirit of unity, harmony, and coöperation prevailed which was good to see.
The Key-Note of Every Service
"Get right with God" was the key-note of every service, and the Holy Spirit was especially manifested on several occasions. Confessions were made, and all sought the Lord together for humbleness of heart and a new experience of reconsecration.
A prayer and praise service was conducted every morning at 9 o'clock, which was followed at 9:30 by a Bible study. Special topics were assigned and presented, such as "The Ministry," "The Holy Spirit," and "The Spirit of Prophecy;" and every one was greatly benefited by the excellent instruction given.
After a short recess, the time till noon was taken up by reports from the various fields and countries represented, and the discussion of papers which had been carefully prepared, dealing with the various problems confronting the mission fields to-day.
The Publishing Work
Under "The Publishing Work," much time was given to discussion of the preparation and circulation of our literature. Reports from the Press showed that marked progress had been made in the circulation of our Chinese paper, the Signs of the Times. During the past year, in spite of floods, famines, and wars, over 300,000 copies were sold, as against 125,000 copies in 1910, and 45,000 copies in 1909. The Korean and Japanese fields also reported much progress along literature lines.
There is a crying need for more books to be translated, and it was felt that definite steps should be taken to prepare, as quickly as possible, such books as "Daniel and the Revelation," "Great Controversy," and "Desire of Ages," and others. "Christ Our Saviour" is now finished, and can be supplied in three different styles of binding. "Steps to Christ" has been translated, and is being revised before printing.
It was also decided to publish a church paper, after the order of the Review and Herald, in which interesting reports and special instructions can be printed that will be helpful to our church-members.
Members present at the conference of the Asiatic Division of our work
Various Branches of Work
Under the head of "Evangelistic Work," much excellent instruction was given on methods of presenting the truth before heathen audiences, how to conduct a series of meetings, how to get believers to work, and other important topics.
The medical, educational, and Sabbath-school work each came in for a share of the discussions, and advance steps were taken in many lines, which we believe will result in more efficient and fruitful labor during the coming year.
The afternoon program commenced at 2:30, with a Bible study for one hour, then a business session until 5 o'clock. In the evening, at 6:30, a song service was conducted, followed by a sermon at 7 o'clock. Many of the workers having been for years isolated at their stations, with no privileges of hearing the Word of God preached in the English language, it was a season of great refreshing.
A Service in Sixteen Languages
On the Sabbath our Chinese brethren met with us, holding a joint Sabbath-school, the opening exercise being conducted in Chinese, with separate classes in English and the various Chinese dialects. Songs were sung in the divers languages represented, and on one occasion sixteen persons stood up and quoted John 3:16, each in a different language or dialect, which were as follows: English, German, Danish, Swedish, French, Korean, Japanese, Malay, Tagalog (Philippine Islands), and the Chinese dialects of Canton, Hakka, Swatow, Fukien, Fuchau, Shanghai, and the Mandarin.
This, it was pointed out, was an evidence of how the prophecy is being fulfilled that the Gospel of the kingdom will be preached to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
Ten years ago there was only one Sabbath-keeper in this whole division — Brother La Rue, at Canton.
Now there are many hundreds rejoicing in the light of the truth, and the people are daily hearing the Gospel presented in their own tongue.
The last Sabbath of the meeting, the ordinances were celebrated, and it was an occasion of rich blessing to all.
The New Republic and Changes in Dress
The notice of the abdication of the emperor came on the last day of the meeting, and thus it seemed safe for all to go back to their stations.
Of course there are many details to be arranged yet. But the war is over, peace is assured, and the republic is a fact, altho not recognized yet by the powers; and it is time for all now to work as never before, and improve the opportunity, when so many new ideas are being adopted, to preach the message of the coming Saviour.
It is a little early yet to speak of the results of the new order of things in the Flowery Kingdom; but it is certain that great changes are going on, and there will undoubtedly be a great revival of foreign commerce, and importation of foreign goods, and adoption of foreign ideas.
Since the cue-cutting started, there has been a startling change in the head-gear of the Orientals. It is an amusing and interesting study in millinery to walk along the streets of Shanghai and notice the variety of hats and caps now in fashion. In fact there seems to be no real fashion, but every one is trying some new idea of his own.
The old conventional round black silk cap with the little red tassel on top is a rare sight now, and is gradually being replaced by the foreign styles. Much preference seems to be given to the cap, and a sort of felt hat shaped something like a straw hat, with a higher crown. These are got up in all shades of gray, greens, blues, and black, and some of them are very dressy looking.
With the foreign hat are coming the foreign shoes, and it is not an uncommon sight now to see a young student with a blue silk gown, a pair of tan pumps covering his feet, and on his head a black Derby hat. They seem to think that the top of the head must fit in the top of the hat, therefore they sometimes get a hat about two sizes too large, so that the brim rests on the ears.
One Chinese gentleman who adopted foreign clothes said it was a fact that he had to get up one hour earlier in the morning in order to dress himself in time for his work.
Officers of the China Union Mission and the Asiatic Division, present at the conference
The Old Wall Coming Down
The work has begun of razing the historical old wall which surrounds the native city of Shanghai. The moat surrounding it will be filled up, and a wide boulevard constructed, covering both the space of the wall and the moat. It is planned to line this boulevard with new up-to-date shops.15
Planning a Modern City
No sooner did the fighting cease at Hankow than the citizens and merchants of that place got together, and are planning to build a model city on the ruins of the old. Thirty-four roads will be laid out. Landowners will contribute ten per cent of their acreage for some highways and as sites for public buildings and parks. A new bund with lofty buildings, wharfs, and good new roads are some of the features of the new city.
In case the capital is settled at Nanking, that city will be rebuilt, and Dr. Sun wants to make a model city of it, the best in the world. There has been some talk of hiring Burnham, the Chicago architect, to come and lay out a plan for a model city, to be built on the ruins of the old Ming emperors' palace.
The governors of Manchuria, Mongolia, and Tibet have signified their intention to support loyally the Yuan Shi Kai government. The southern provinces are also falling in line very fast. Thus when Yuan Shi Kai is inaugurated, he will be the first president of United China and all her provinces.
The eyes of all the world are on China just now. A marvelous object-lesson has been worked out over here, showing the power there is in a tiny spark of liberty implanted in the heart of one man. In a few short years it has kindled a blaze that has set on fire the 400,000,000 souls of this nation, so that almost at one stroke of the sword the oldest and most backward nation in the world becomes a modern republic, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. May the Gospel of Jesus Christ take root in the same way in the hearts of this people, that they may be delivered from the gross bondage of Satan, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God! Pray for the Chinese people.
