12 - Chapter 12

Chapter 12 - Hung-T’Ung Conference, August 1James 2:1-26nd ------------------------------
DEEPLY INTERESTING NATIVE TESTIMONY. The 7 a.m. Sunday service was led by Mr. Chang Chih-heng. He took for his subject, the men bringing the sick man to Jesus; and as they could not get to Him, breaking up the roof to let the sufferer down into His presence. The 11 a.m. service, led by Mr. Hudson Taylor and Mr. Hsi, was a sight not soon to be forgotten. There cannot have been less than 300 listeners in the court; it made our hearts glad to think of Mr. Taylor’s joy as he saw those earnest worshippers, and in that sight some outcome of years of prayer that has known no ceasing, of labor that has known no respite; above all did it raise our hearts to Him Who in that gathering saw further “of the travail of His soul,” and was being “satisfied.”

Mr. Taylor spoke to the Christians present on the three-fold gift of Jesus to His believing ones in John 14:1-31; John 15:1-27. “My peace,” “My joy,” “My glory.” Mr. Hsi addressed the unconverted. The Sunday evening testimony meeting, led by Mr. Stevenson, was quite one of the best meetings. Mr. Stevenson opened with a few remarks on the words, “The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” In throwing the meeting open, he called upon any who wanted to witness for the Lord Jesus to rise in turn. The first to speak was the well-known Mr. Hsi.

Before we proceed further, it would be well to make a clear statement as regards the remarks of those who spoke. Three days after the Hung-t’ung Conference, there was another held at P’ing-yang Fu. There Mr. Hsi again testified, his address being in substance much the same as that at Hung-t’ung; but as in the latter address he gave a few additional particulars, it was thought it would give more succinctness to his testimony if what was left out in the one place were supplied from what was added in the other. With regard to the other testimonies, as the time given to each was exceedingly short (there being so many who were willing to speak), it was deemed wise to submit the notes of their remarks to their own revision, at which time they were allowed to make what additions they thought would give a clearer statement of the facts of their several cases. THE TESTIMONY OF MR. HSI. In looking back on my past life I can indeed see the guiding hand of God. Even when only eight years old I was different from other boys. I remember thinking then, “What is the use of being in this world? Men find no good;” and I remember crying as I thought of it. When nine years old my brother urged me to begin reading books, telling me I could get all sorts of good from so doing, and finally become a mandarin. “Well,” thought I to myself, “what good is there in becoming a mandarin? Sooner or later I must die;” and I feared to die. For years I had the dread of death before me, and used to wonder how it could be avoided. I had heard of Taoism, and heard the Taoists speak of “ch’ang sheng pu lao” (i.e., “living continually without ageing”), so I determined to try their system. This consist, firstly, of refining and eating “the pill;” and, secondly, by quiet meditation and reflection to attain to immortality. To my surprise, I was taken some time after with an illness. “Why,” thought I, “before I went in for Taoism I had great strength, now I am sickly; is this becoming an immortal?” My eyes were then opened to see that Taoism was a delusion. My profession was at this time a barrister, and my illness began to interfere greatly with my legal duties; as it got worse and worse there was nothing for it, as I thought, but to smoke opium. The more I smoked the worse I got, till I had to take to my couch, and remained there a year and a half. Once I was so ill that my friends put on the death clothes, thinking that the end was just coming. However, God helped me through, and I recovered partially from the illness, but still kept on with the opium.

Some time after this, in the time of the great famine, an Englishman of the name of Li (Rev. David Hill, of the Wesleyan Mission, Wu-ch’ang), came to help us in our extremity. When he had been here some time distributing food and money, he offered a prize of 30 taels (£7 10s.) for the best essay on given Christian subjects. The competitors had books supplied from which to read the subject up, and my essay gained the prize. The next thing was to get the money. I had heard many reports that foreigners could bewitch people, and I feared to fall under their influence. However, I went to P’ing-yang Fu with my brother, and stopped in an inn. My brother volunteered to go for me to get the money, but he came back saying the foreigner wanted to see the very man who had written the essay. Well, I was in a dilemma! On the one hand I feared bewitchment, on the other hand I feared to lose the 30 taels. At last I decided to go. On inquiring at the door, I met Mr. Sung and two men of the name of Li, all there of them natives. Addressing them, I said, “May I ask what you do here?” “Oh,” said they, “we are helping the foreigner.” “And don’t you fear being bewitched?” “No, indeed,” they replied, “nor would you if you knew him.” Mr. Sung then obtained an interview for me with Mr. Hill. One glance, one word, it was enough! As stars fade before the rising sun, so did his presence dissipate the idle rumors I had heard; all trace of my fear was gone, my mind was at rest. I beheld his kindly eye and remembered the words of Mencius, “If a man’s heart is not right his eyes bespeak it.” I realized I was in the present of a true man.

He asked me most courteously to drink tea. The devil again suggested the vile slander, “What if there be medicine in the tea?” but instantly the thought was banished. Tea having been drunk, he produced the 30 taels, and complimenting me most warmly on my essay, handed them to me, adding at the same time that some learned scholars in T’ai-yüen Fu had seen the writing and commended it most highly. I had no sooner got the money than again the devil whispered the suggestion, “After all he is a deceiver, though all appears so fair: you had better take the 30 taels, go home, and see him no more.” Not long after, Mr. Sung came to my house and said Mr. Hill wanted to see me. Arriving at the city (Mr. Hsi’s home is fifteen miles to the south-east of P’ing-yang Fu), I went straight to his house, and soon got an interview. “I want you to help me,” said Mr. Hill. I replied, “I fear I do not understand foreign matters.” “It is not foreign matters I want,” said he; “I want you to write essays. Can you do that?” “Yes.” “I want you to read the character. Can you do that?” “Yes.” “I want you to be my teacher for a period. Can you be that?” ‘Yes,” I replied; “all these things I can do.”

I then went home, with the determination quickly to return to Mr. Hill and help him, provided my family were favorable to it. For although by that time my fears of suffering delusion and bewitchment were gone, it was by no means so with my mother and wife; they were quite alarmed, especially my mother. So much so that I had to go back to Mr. Hill and say, “I must at first, if you will excuse me, only be here ten days on trial: my mother is afraid of my coming, and if on returning home after that period she still objects, I must beg of you not to expect me.” Mr. Hill gladly consented to this arrangement. At the end of the ten days, on reaching home, my mother, seeing nothing strange about me, ceased to object, and I returned, with her sanction, to Mr. Hill. At this time I still smoked opium. I tried to break it off by means of native medicine, but could not; by use of foreign medicine, but failed. At last I saw, in reading the New Testament, that there was a Holy Spirit who could help men. I prayed to God to give me His Holy Spirit. He did what man and medicine could not do; He enabled me to break off opium smoking. So, my friends, if you would break off opium, don’t rely on medicine, don’t lean on man, but trust to God.

Thanks be to God, He afterwards saved my soul. Mr. Hill led me to the gate, God caused me to enter. I read more of the Testament; I saw there that Jesus was not a mere man, but God taking on Him our flesh. I remember weeping as I read how He died for me. Jesus led me on, and trusting Him I ceased to doubt. At that time there were only three native worshippers. I asked Mr. Hill, by Mr. Sung, as my spokesman, if I could join them in worship. Mr. Hill said to Mr. Sung, “I fear it is yet too early; I fear, lest coming on too quickly, he will go back too soon.” I replied to Mr. Sung, “I now want to worship God not because of Mr. Hill, but because of God’s own teaching; I know for myself; I have read His word; I know my sins are great; I ought to go to hell. I know, too, that Jesus is able to forgive my sins, able to save me from sin, able to save me from hell, and to give me to live in heaven for ever.”

Mr. Hill returned the answer, “Come by all means.” Returning from worship, Mr. Hill was extremely pleased. Oh! How kindly he treated me. I loved him as a father, he loved me as a son. I stayed with him two months, and then he had to go; fast fell the tears as we parted. Do you ask why? Not only for his own sake, but because I saw this whole region left as sheep without a shepherd. However, in time God sent others. Shortly after, my wife and mother believed; my wife got healed of illness; my whole household were at peace. My friends, is not this the grace of Jesus?

MR. CHANG CHIH-HENG. When I was eighteen years old, a friend told me I ought to do right and live well. I began fasting and chanting prayers. During that time the thought often came, “Men must die; after death, where do they go?” I was always wretched through this fear of death. The fasting and chanting continued for the space of two years. When I was twenty years old there was a foreigner selling books in K’uh-wu. I bought a gospel of Matthew and a gospel of Mark, but hardly understood a sentence.

Four years passed on, and I again heard of an Englishman selling books. I questioned him as to the meaning of “God,” and hearing his answer, determined to go to P’ing-yang for instruction. Knocking at the door of the P’ing-yang “Jesus Hall,” I was met by Mr. Hsi, and then saw Rev. D. Hill. After this I heard Mr. Turner preaching from the words, “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment.” This seemed to me very awful; and more and more did I fear death. He went on to tell us if we wanted to escape the ordeal of the Judgment Day we must “trust Jesus.” I only remembered those two words, but they were enough. My mother and wife were much opposed; I could only tell them, “Well, I believe Jesus died for me.” Now they both believe. Ever since that time I have had peace, and the fear of death has gone.

MR. CHANG CHU-HUI.

I am a P’ing-yang man, and all here know me. Before the great famine I was a soldier in the Ho-nan province. Leaving the army, I got back to P’ing-yang just before the famine began. At the time of the famine, my family being in the greatest distress, Mr. Hill directed three or four thousand cash (twelve to fifteen shillings) to be given me. Some time after, wanting to thank Mr. Hill in person, I called at his house, but found he had left P’ing-yang, and had gone to T’ai-yüen. However, I saw Mr. Turner, and, mentioning the fact to him, he thought of a plan of at once making use of me, and giving me my heart’s desire; he sent me up to T’ai-yüen with letters.

I then saw Mr. Hill and he employed me for three months. During that time he taught me to read a good many characters; I formerly did not know one. Following him to worship once, I heard him sing “Jesus loves me.” “Ah,” thought I, “he can sing that, but I can’t.” After the service, Mr. Hill said to me, “Jesus loves not only me, but you.” I afterwards followed him to Pekin and Tien-tsin, and there saw him on board the steamer. It was hard indeed to say “Good-bye;” I never shall forget his parting word, “Jesus is able to forgive your sins. Don’t you ever forget this.”

Returning to P’ing-yang, I found there were five men waiting to be baptized. I asked Mr. Turner, through Mr. Sung, if I could be baptized. Mr. Turner said, “No, too early yet; I don’t know if he thoroughly understands.” A few days after, standing by the baptistry, Mr. Turner said to me, “Chang Chu-hui, what is this? What is the meaning of this baptism?” I said, “This baptistry is, as it were, a tomb; just as Jesus died on the Cross, was buried and rose, so we—dying to our old life and being buried in the waters of baptism—should rise again to serve God.” He said, “Right! You may be baptized.” One of the former candidates proving unsuitable, I took his place, and we five were baptized together.

After this I went with an English missionary selling books to Ho-nan. There we had some strange experiences. The Ho-nan people hate foreigners, and are very fierce; once we only escaped stoning by the missionary producing his passport. At another time we could get nothing to eat, the people of the town we reached refusing to sell to us: however, in that province, God prospering us, we sold thousands of books.

Two or three years after, being again in P’ing-yang, my wife having died, Mr. Hsi took my little boy and girl and brought them up as his own. Some time after, I said to Mr. Hsi, “I want to do a great work for God; let me have some of your opium pills and I will start an opium refuge.” I first went to K’uh-wu in the south; but afterwards feeling that God would have me work north, I went to Chao-ch’eng in the beginning of last year. For two weeks no men came, and my money was nearly all gone; but I kept praying and believing. God then sent me eight men, they increased in numbers, till there was not room for them; many of them not only broke off opium, but got their souls saved. A little while after, God gave me to open an opium refuge at Hoh-chau, and in that district, too, God has led souls to Himself.

MR. SUNG.

I formerly feared death. On hearing the Taoist doctrines, I determined to enter that sect. I studied their books, and for twenty-five years abstained from all meat. I, moreover, followed the Buddhists in reciting the incantations. Instead of obtaining peace, my heart became increasingly wretched and unsatisfied. Then came the great famine. In the first year of famine, I saw a boy with the gospel of Matthew; he lent it to me, and I read it. I was immensely taken with the life of Jesus, but what struck me so was that such a good man should come to such an end. I remember weeping over the story of the crucifixion; but at that time, though I loved Jesus, I did not know He could save me. Some time after, Mr. Hill came to P’ing-yang; the famine was at its height, my daughter-in-law and daughter both died in the space of three days. At that time Mr. Hill came to my house to ask me to look after a young connection of mine who had been cast out by his parents, and was nearly starved. I told him my circumstances, how a few days before I had lost two children by famine, and in what straits I was. He promised to help me, adding, he would pay for the keep of the child.

Just before this time, I happened to see a copy of the treaty of the Western Powers with China. I noticed particularly that each western kingdom took its year’s date from the birth of Jesus (Anno Domini) eighteen hundred odd years ago. On thinking the matter over it came to me, “Well, if the doctrine of Jesus is ‘the heavenly doctrine,’ is it not right that time should be so reckoned? And will not China, too, soon own His sway?” With these thoughts in my mind, I went to Mr. Hill’s house to consult about my young relation. I there learned that Mr. Hill taught the doctrine of Jesus. At this time I still read incantations. Mr. Hill, on hearing this, told me I had better pray to God. I told him I couldn’t pray. He gave me a book called “Questions and Answers on the Heavenly Doctrine.” I studied the book for five months; and from that time I began to pray to God and fully believe in Jesus. My wife, however, was still a worshipper of idols, and would recite incantations a hundred times a day. But gradually she listened to my words, and finally became a worshipper of the Heavenly Father.

Since then we both richly received God’s grace; formerly we did not get on well together, my temper was bad, and so was hers; but since we have believed in Jesus we have had the deepest fellowship.

MR. FAN.

I am well known to you all; my home is in a village close to Hung-t’ung. When eleven years old I entered a secret society, for I heard that if you belonged to that society you could escape calamity. While in this society I burned ever so much incense, and piled up ever so much merit; but notwithstanding suffered ever so much calamity. I left the society.

Years after, a friend of mine in Hung-t’ung bought a book of a foreigner; its title was “The Three Needs.” He showed it me, and told me a little of what it said. I was interested, and determined to go to P’ing-yang to see the foreign teachers. I there saw Mr. Turner and Mr. Drake. Mr. Turner told me of the hope of eternal life, adding, “If you want to obtain this, you must awake to the sense of your danger, for your sins are upon you, and must trust Jesus to be forgiven.”

Afterwards Mr. Chang Chü-hui took me to Mr. Hsi’s village, where I saw Mr. Hsi; it was there I received the Holy Spirit. I then knew that idols were false, that Jesus could save, and that the Heavenly Father was the true God. While there Mr. Hsi wrote out a prayer for me; as I could not read, I could not at first use it, but I stayed at Mr. Hsi’s house until I was able to read and repeat it, and then returned home, able to pray to God. While at Mr. Hsi’s he had told me to go to P’ing-yang and get a New Testament. I accordingly went and got one: on returning to my home, I found that my little child of six years old, while playing in the yard, had been carried off by wolves and eaten.

It was a time of deep trial, but I then greatly obtained God’s grace, and the Holy Spirit influencing my heart caused me to know the Heavenly Father better. After this, the people in the village wanted me to worship idols; but I would not; I knew that it was breaking God’s laws. The people said, “If you don’t we shall meet calamity, we shall get no water; and if so, we will pull down your house.” Through God’s grace the river water was more than ever, and my faith in God increased. This being so they could not carry out their threats, and from that time I never offered to idols.

Since then the devil has counted me as his enemy. I lost two horses and a donkey; again a wolf took away another of my children, five years old; my farm had scarcely any crops: year by year he has tried to harm me. This year I lost my only little son by small-pox, and my nephew’s son of seven years old was also carried off by the same illness in my house. However, I am deeply thankful for God’s grace. He constantly gives me opportunities of hearing His teaching. Let the devil hurt if he will, I know Jesus can save. My whole family is with one heart and mind serving God—that is my great joy.

MR. SHIH CH’ING-LAN. When I was sixteen I began smoking opium, and continued till I was twenty-seven years old. Mr. Fan exhorted me to give it up, but I would not; I used to laugh at him, because at that time I had money. However, shortly after came the famine, and what with heavy opium smoking on the one hand, and the famine prices on the other, I began to be in want. “Well,” thought I to myself, “if I don’t break off the opium I am a ruined man.” I feared the foreign medicine, as men said if you took it you would be bewitched. On hearing of Mr. Hsi’s medicine I determined to try that. This was the medicine that Mr. Fan, of my village, was using to cure his opium patients. I accordingly went to him. At first Mr. Fan would not receive me to break off opium, though he told me I was at liberty to hear doctrine there. In a little time Mr. Drake came to lead worship at Mr. Fan’s; I heard him preach, and all the more wanted to break off opium. Still Mr. Fan would not receive me. Afterwards Mr. Hsi came; he said to Mr. Fan, “Why did Jesus come? It was to save sinners; don’t look whether he is good or not, but receive him; it may be the Lord will save him.” Mr. Fan consented. When I came I was told to pray; at first I didn’t understand; however, that night I began to pray, and went about half the night, asking God to help me. God did greatly help, and my cure was effected. When I had been in the opium refuge a few days, my case was getting on so favorably that I went to my father, who is sitting there, and asked him to join me in giving up the drug. He was sixty-three years of age, and had been an opium smoker forty years. He had formerly followed a secret society. The devil tempted him greatly; he had served him so long that the devil was loath to give him up. At last, another disorder setting in, he determined to get the craving cured. God helped him also. When we were cured, we consulted together, and determined to take all our false gods and burn them. From that time we have worshipped God. After that, my uncle, Shih Ta-hsing, seeing us, also broke off opium. Shortly after this there was a “great gathering” at P’ing-yang Fu. I then went to Mr. Hsi’s; he exhorted me never again to smoke opium or worship idols. I told him, I wanted for my lifetime to worship God. After a little the Holy Ghost influenced my heart, and caused me to see that Christ was the Light of the World. The next year my father and I were baptized. I want to praise Jesus for ever and ever.

MR. LIU PAO-LIN. At first I did not know God. I was a great sinner, fond of cheating men, gambling, and smoking opium. One day, a friend named Chang Ho-ching said to me, “Why don’t you give up opium smoking, and get your craving cured?” “What!” said I, “have you been bewitched by the foreigners? You have suffered their deception, and now you want me to suffer.” I then began to revile him; he came again, and got like treatment.

After he had gone, my conscience began to smite me. I said to myself, “Ah! Surely my sins are deep-dyed to treat my friend like this, when he is seeking my good.” That night, I said to my wife, “Although I revile Chang Ho-ching, you see his opium smoking is cured. You have such an illness it looks as if you won’t live, and I also have disease, and he says God is able to save us.” My wife said, “Well, who but God can help us? But now that you have treated Mr. Chang so badly I doubt if he will come again.” I replied, “If God will indeed help us, Mr. Chang will be sure to come again; when he does, I will certainly listen to his words.” Not more than two or three days passed, and he came again; that time I received and treated him well. I said to him, “How did you get your craving cured?” “Ah!” he replied, “I fear if I tell you, you won’t believe; if you would believe your illness and your wife’s would both be healed.” “I am ready to believe,” was my answer. “Well then, if so, you must no more worship these false gods; in three days’ time I am going to Fan village; do you come there with me and worship the true God.”

Arriving at Fan village, I went to Mr. Fan’s house and stayed till my craving was cured; my heart, however, was still wretched. Mr. Fan said to me, “I fear your heart is not at rest, you look so miserable.” “It is because of my wife’s illness,” was my reply; “I don’t know if she be alive or not.” Mr. Fan said, “Let us pray, and soon go to her, and see if we can help.” So we went. On our arrival, as soon as I saw her face, I knew that she was a great deal better; for three or four years past she had not been able to wait on me. She, however, got up and prepared tea for us. I was much struck with this answer to prayer. Returning to Mr. Fan’s village, Mr. Fan constantly prayed for me. I could not pray.

I remember one day hearing a hymn, “Alas! My heart so dark!” and thinking surely that suits me. Not long after I went to the P’ing-yang Fu great gathering. While there I met Mr. Hsi. He questioned me as to my former life, and then told me of Jesus. I went back to Fan village. Mr. Fan preached on the ten lepers being cleansed, and only one returning to give thanks; thought I, “I will be one to ‘return’. That one in the parable did not forget God’s grace, neither will I.” I went home and told my wife; she, too, believed—we were as two raised from the dead. After a little while, Mr. Fan came, accompanied by Mr. Hsi. Mr. Hsi spoke with us, read the Testament and prayed; then I prayed, and so did my wife.

Mr. Hsi was full of joy, saying, “Truly this is the grace of God.” As we came to the parting-place on the road, Mr. Hsi knelt down and prayed, and as he prayed he wept; he told me afterwards that he wept for fear lest I should go back. After some days I heard Mr. Hsi preach; he said, “we were not saved only for our own benefit, but to save others; we ought to pray for others, set a good example, and preach to men the Gospel.”

I went home and began to pray to God for a fellow-helper. Soon a man, with whom I had been on bad terms, asked me how I got cured of the opium craving. On telling him, he offered to accompany me to Fan village. There, hearing the doctrine, he was converted, came back and opened a worship-hall in his house for our village. The Lord afterwards saved other souls. Truly, this is God’s loving kindness.

CONCLUDING WORDS. This most interesting meeting then closed with a few words of testimony from Mr. Hudson Taylor. He told us how he was converted, when in a careless state of soul, by reading this sentence in a tract—“the finished work of Christ;” his mother, many miles away, being in prayer for him at that very time.

He also spoke of God’s faithfulness to him in after life, and the encouragement it was, after twenty years’ labor and prayer for Shan-si, to have listened to the words of testimony which had been given. The next day, Mr. Fan took early prayers, and his theme seemed to be “Jesus” right through. At eleven o’clock we gathered together for the ordination of native pastors, elders, and deacons.

Mr. Hudson Taylor, inviting the brethren working in the P’ing-yang district to unite with him in the laying of hands, after a few words of fervent prayer, set Mr. Hsi apart. He was ordained pastor of the whole district; for he has already done an extensive work and been much owned of God. Mr. Sung was then set apart as native pastor of the P’ing-yang Church. The ordination of pastors being over, two additional native elders were set apart: Mr. Chang Chih-heng to P’ing-yang, Mr. Shih Ch’ing-lan to Hung-t’ung.

There were sixteen deacons appointed, of whom only seven were present. Altogether it was felt to be a most solemn service. We ask the prayers of all friends that a sense of the solemnity of their several charges may increasingly rest upon them. The number of members having already begun to thin considerably, it being the busy time of harvest, it was determined to have the Lord’s Supper in the afternoon. Of this sacred ordinance over seventy partook. The newly-ordained pastor, Mr. Hsi, presided, and Mr. Stanley P. Smith gave an address on “This do in remembrance of Me.” This service finished the Hung-t’ung Conference. Early the next morning some started for P’ing-yang Fu, the others following them the day after.