Success in Giving the Great Message in East China
By F. E. Stafford
ON Sunday, October 5, a special series of evangelistic meetings was opened in a hall at No. 4 Kiangsi Road. The attendance from the start has naturally been a representative one. The first few nights standing-room was at a premium, and many had to be turned away from the door. And even after the excitement of the opening had subsided, the attendance continued to hold up well. What is of special encouragement is the interested way the people listen, and ask for instruction after the meetings. The first week's subjects started with the one true God, creation, and the fall of man, and finished with the plan of salvation and conversion. On the first Friday night, the invitation was given for all who wished to start on the new life to rise, and over fifty stood at once. Cards were then distributed for the people to sign their names and addresses, and their manifest desire to seek for truth had such an effect on the audience that the ushers were kept busy handing out the cards. At the close of the meeting over a hundred names had been listed. Since then we have taken almost another hundred. We have made efforts to get out and visit these people; but as they are scattered all over the city, and our workers are few, we can not get around to them as we should. Friday night has been set apart for an inquirers' meeting, and only those who have handed in their names are admitted. Last week instruction was given on how to come to Christ, special emphasis being placed on repentance and confession. When opportunity was given for those present to speak, a number gave excellent testimonies, afterward joining in a season of prayer. It was a blessed occasion for all, and nothing so rejoices the heart of God's workers as to hear men open their lips in prayer for the first time. A series of Bible lessons for beginners has been prepared and sent out to the inquirers each week. There is one verse to memorize each day, and all is arranged in such a way that it is a progressive study of the message for this time. An after-meeting is held each night in the guest-room, when every one present is exhorted to study the Bible and learn to pray. In these meetings we are reading the Gospel of John by course, a few verses being read and explained each night and then opportunity given for questions. Brother K. H. Wood has conducted meetings for English-speaking Chinese each Sunday afternoon on the signs of the times. These meetings have been well attended, as there are among our inquirers a large number of the student class, who are glad for the opportunity to hear English spoken. This is followed in the evening by a stereopticon lecture in Chinese on the same subject, with views of the present-day world conditions. It is needless to say that we have a full house these nights. No admission is charged, but an intermission is given when half through the program, and an opportunity is given to every one to buy a copy of our paper. Many have been sold. We earnestly solicit the prayers of all, that these meetings may result in a great harvest of souls, and that many honest in heart may be converted, keep the commandments of God, and be saved at our Saviour's soon appearing.