Hankow, China by Frederick Lee

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 9, 1913

Hankow, China

By Frederick Lee

FREDERICK LEE

RECENTLY we moved from Nanking to Hankow. Since coming to this place we have held a workers' meeting, and I have been busy getting acquainted with my new surroundings. I am glad to be able to report that the message is progressing in this territory in which the revolution in China was started, and which has suffered the greatest loss.

The chapel we rented was destroyed when Hankow was burned almost to the ground. We were unable to find a suitable place for another chapel until just recently. We are now fixing up a new one which we have rented. It is in the district that was burned. We use the disaster that befell this place as an illustration of the coming destruction which God is to bring on this wicked world.

WORKERS AND BELIEVERS ATTENDING THE GENERAL MEETING AT HANKOW, CHINA

I have just returned from our workers' meeting, which was held farther inland. Brethren I. H. Evans and F. A. Allum were with us for five days. During the two weeks' meeting God's Spirit was especially manifested several times both in the meetings for the heathen and in the meetings for our workers. We presented the need of doing more efficient work by guarding the moments and opportunities of every day. We also urged more personal work to be done with those who come to our meetings and seem interested. We had a program printed, showing what a good day's work is. All the workers seemed pleased to have this suggestion as to how to improve their time every day, and agreed to follow it. The program is about the same as we follow in our tent work at home. There is a time for personal Bible study and prayer every morning, then about two hours for visiting in the morning, after which comes noon-hour prayer. In the afternoon they are to go out visiting, or go into the country and hold a meeting with the farmers. Then in the evening there is the regular meeting. On this program we cited texts showing how Christ worked, the reward of the diligent, and the value of personal effort and of system in our work.

During this meeting we gave the workers an example by going out with them and showing them how to do personal work. We had Bible studies only in the morning, and went out visiting in the afternoon. Sometimes we would hold street meetings, or go into the country and hold a meeting. In this way we would get a good crowd to come to our meetings every night.

On the opening day of our general meeting, we divided into four companies, and these companies went to the four gates of the city and held meetings in two different places. Thus we had about eight meetings that afternoon, and very soon every one knew that the Seventh-day Adventists were having a special meeting in Hankow. We had a very good attendance. In presenting the truths of this message, I never saw better attention than these poor heathen gave.

At the close of each meeting we worked for souls, endeavoring to persuade them to give themselves to Christ. We got the names and addresses of those who responded, and visited them the next day. In this way we secured the names of one hundred during the meeting. Some handed in their names for various reasons, but out of these there are, I believe, a score or more who have really been touched with the message.

One night when we spoke on the plan of salvation, the Spirit of God seemed to be in the midst, and all sat very attentive during the hour. As soon as we appealed to them to give themselves to him who had done so much for them, a score or more came almost at once to the front. That night thirty names were given in. While many of these may fall out by the way, yet we know that the seed of the gospel has been sown in their hearts. At this meeting Brother Allum baptized thirteen. This makes a membership of forty in the province of Hupeh.

Hankow is the most central city in China. Many from most of the provinces pass through this city. Since being here, I have had opportunity to give the truth to men from three different provinces. We expect that sometime the capital of China may be established here. We are anxious to improve the time and get a good foundation laid for our work.