An Advance in China by C. N. Woodward

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 11, 1914

An Advance in China

By C. N. Woodward

C. N. WOODWARD

For more than two years it has been the earnest desire of the committee and workers in China to make an advance move into new territory, but until last autumn our small force of laborers, which seemed by reason of deaths and furloughs to be decreasing instead of increasing, forbade such advance. To furnish foreign supervisors for the provinces already entered, seemed almost more than we could do at times. In the meantime some of the most populous provinces of China awaited our coming with the last message of warning.

With the strong force of new workers sent us by the last General Conference, and our workers returning from furlough, it was thought we were strong enough to make an advance. Accordingly the South China Mission rearranged its forces, and in January of this year Dr. Law Keem and his family went to the province of Kwang-si. His reports thus far show that the Lord had already gone before him, and he found some keeping the Sabbath and waiting for further instruction.

For several years it has been the dearest wish of Elder Allum's life to be able to go to the rich and populous province of Szechuen, in western China, and open up the work of the third angel's message there. On his return from furlough the first of the year, the Central China Mission agreed to release him for Szechuen. The Asiatic Division Committee arranged for Brother M. C. Warren to accompany him. It was quite a trial for these dear brethren to leave their families in Shanghai while on this trip, but it seemed best, and they bravely set their faces westward.

A short time was spent in Central China to secure some trusted Chinese workers to accompany them, and they continued on up the great Yang-tze-Kiang River to Chunking, which will be their headquarters for the present. We could well imagine their feelings when we received a telegram from them on April 2 reading: "Entered Szechuen twelve forty; all well."

This is the first time any of our people

have set foot in that province, so that the ground must be thoroughly looked over before any permanent move is made. This they intend to do during the coming summer.

But this is not all. The East China Mission brethren have for a long time had their eyes fixed upon the most northern province of their territory, Shantung. This is considered the most healthful portion of China, and is often called the "health resort of China." Usually all the workers who could get away have gone to Mokanshan or some other mountain resort to spend the hot months, but this year Elder O. A. Hall and Brother F. E. Stafford expect to take their families and spend these months in Shantung, where aggressive work can be carried on all the time. Brother Stafford spent the summer in Cheffo last year, and found a real interest to hear the truth. It is hoped that a good beginning can be made this year; and when the brethren return in the fall, one of their most experienced Chinese evangelists will be left in charge of the work.

It has been said that the third angel's message has never retreated from any position taken, and it is earnestly hoped that the close of 1914 will record three new provinces entered during this year, and the work firmly started in each.