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South Central China

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 18, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 29.

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South Central China

By R. F. Cottrell

FOLLOWING the Shanghai general meeting for foreign workers, Elder and Mrs. C. P. Lillie, Brother O. J. Gibson, Mrs. Cottrell, and the writer took passage on a Yang-tze-kiang River steamer for the interior, and reached Chang-sha, Hunan, February 23. Our Chinese brethren and sisters had been alone for nearly three months, and gladly welcomed our return. Although Satan had in various ways sought to retard and destroy the work during the war, we were very thankful to find the message onward, and our native workers of good courage.
One of the first tasks was to make arrangements for our spring meeting, which had been appointed for April 1-10. This meeting was attended by one hundred fifty church-members and believers. As this number was sufficient to fill our chapel to its utmost capacity, we were unable to make the effort for the heathen that we had desired. The instruction was therefore directed to the uplift and strengthening of our own people. Dr. A. C. Selmon was with us the entire time, and his studies on the sanctuary and the three angels' messages were most beneficial. Near the close of the meeting, nine candidates were immersed in the river in the presence of at least four hundred persons.
On the day following (Sabbath) fifty-nine persons united in celebrating the ordinances of the Lord's house. The Saviour came very near to us on this occasion; and it was with renewed consecration and hearts filled with courage and thanksgiving that the people separated for their homes.
Thirty of the new believers, mostly those who have but recently turned from heathenism, remained for a month's study. Three Bible classes were conducted daily, and it was so arranged that the afternoons were largely devoted to the circulation of literature. Most of the students were sorry to have the class work discontinued, which emphasized anew in our minds the need of a good training-school for workers.
At two of our out-stations, the RomanCatholics, who have been in this part of China for nearly a century, are giving us much trouble. They consider that we, as newcomers, are infringing on their territory, and are therefore using every device to keep us out.
At one place, a building was rented to be used as a chapel, and on the evening for which the first service had been arranged, the Catholics gathered in large numbers, and not only prevented the meeting from being held, but began beating some of the brethren, who were thus forced to flee to the yamen (official residence) for protection.
Brother Hwang, Mrs. Cottrell, and I are planning to start for this out-station to-day in the endeavor to open the chapel, and strengthen the faith of the believers under adversity. We expect to be absent from Chang-sha about two weeks, and visit several other stations en route. The trip will be made largely by house-boat, and will take us around Tung-ting-hu Lake, which may be easily located on the map as being the largest body of water in inland China.
Our evangelistic work was never more promising. If our corps of laborers, both foreign and Chinese, were doubled, we should then have more than we could do to fill the calls that are pressing in upon us. Just so certainly as nothing material can separate us from the love of Christ, even so surely is there naught that can stay the flight of the third angel. Persecution will but purify, difficulties and trials but establish the faith of the true.
As never before, China is in a period of transition. She is reaching out for something not clearly defined. Is it not for such a time and such an opportunity that God has called his people? During this year, if fifty missionaries were sent to China to strengthen the work begun and enter the untouched provinces, there would be none too many. And is such a thing too much to contemplate? too much to pray for? Is anything too hard for God? May he who has chosen us, help every one to do his full duty.
R. F. COTTRELL.