WHAT a power the devil has over the poor deluded people of this world! In some countries, he hides himself under an outward garb of civilization; but nevertheless his power to lead people away from God and to deceive is fearful. Here in China, where he is worshiped to appease his wrath, he works more openly and frightfully.
There is a terrible form of torture manifested in fits of anger, the victims of which come to our dispensary nearly every day. In these instances, it seems that the grace of God, which everywhere restrains the devil, has hardly any chance to manifest its protecting power, and the devil eggs them on to fearful conditions. They ruin their voices for life, their bodies swell up and remain so, and this slowly gives rise to other diseases. How dreadful it will be when the grace of God is withdrawn from the unbelievers all over this wicked world! The whole world is under great obligation to God for the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit. O that men everywhere would thank the Lord for His goodness!
The Marked Change at Conversion
No one in this country can doubt the existence of the devil. At the same time, the power of God to save is plainly manifested. The change at conversion is more marked here than in many places. The faith of the people is more childlike, their prayers are more earnest, and they expect and get victory over the devil and the flesh. We see many clear evidences of answer to prayer.
Only yesterday a colporteur told me how God continually protected him and his family and the brethren, while others around them constantly suffered from robbers. One day he passed through a thousand of the White Wolf bandits, and to his joy they did not molest him. At another time, he was approaching a very dangerous place, infested by fearful robbers; but he and the man who wheeled his papers, books, etc., knelt on the road and prayed earnestly for the Lord's protection, and then went forward in faith, and passed through without being harmed.6We have had many such instances these two years. The more dangers there are around, the more genuine is the faith; and where there is faith in God, He is able to show His power and love. Our brethren are scattered all over Honan, but not one of them has lost property or life these two awful years.
We daily praise God for His protecting care. Our one desire is to get nearer to Him and become more like Him. The more we become like Him, the more peace, joy, and blessing we have in our lives. Praise the dear Lord for His love and for His goodness to the children of men.