13 - Chapter 13

Chapter 13 - The P’Ing-Yang Fu Conference, August 5th & 6th by Stanley P. Smith

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This Conference was a much smaller one that that at Hung-t’ung, there never being more than fifty people present at the meetings; but still it was a very profitable one. This gathering was specially held for those who could not get to Hung-t’ung; but many of them were unable to come owing to the flooded state of the River Fen and other streams. The first early morning meeting was taken by Mr. Ch’u, who had been through much persecution for the Lord’s sake at Ta-ning Hien, and a Mr. Fan, Mr. Beauchamp’s teacher. The midday meeting was led by Mr. Hudson Taylor and Mr. Hsi. It is much to be regretted that the notes taken of this blessed meeting were scanty. The Lord specially helped His servants.

I then gave a short account of the Hung-t’ung Conference, and Mr. Hsi added a few words of testimony.

FURTHER NATIVE TESTIMONIES. THE EVENING MEETING was led by Mr. J.W. Stevenson, and was a testimony meeting.

Mr. Stevenson, in his opening remarks, after defining witnessing for Jesus, said, ―I can say Jesus is my very best Friend. He has forgiven my sins, and fills my soul with perfect peace. I know He is in my heart. If I did not constantly praise and extol Him, the very stones would cry out against me.

MR. WANG.

I recently was fond of opium and gambling. Six years ago I was thin and emaciated. See how stout I am now! This is all God’s grace; others all rejected me; I had not a friend; but He saved me. One look at the Cross and I was healed. I hope for a lifetime to put forth strength for God.

MR. TUNG. For seven or eight years I gambled and was fond of using bad language. I spoke with some of the Christians, but they were not my lot, and I did not believe in them. One day Mr. Chang Chü-hui left me a book, asking me to read it. I read about Jesus, but although I was interested, I did not understand the doctrine. Shortly after, Mr. Fan having been beaten by the mandarin, I attended him daily. I heard his words, and also in the chapel attended worship. I then went everywhere trying to find out how to get saved. Now I know that those who repent earnestly and believe in Jesus obtain salvation.

MR. CH’U.

Brethren and sisters, please hear my words. Formerly I was fond of reading books. Eight years ago a friend of mine of the name of Chang came to Ta-ning Hien and brought with him a gospel of Mark. I was delighted to read this book and its wonders. I thought to myself, “I wonder if there be other books, or is there any society holding these doctrines.” The next year I heard that a foreigner—Mr. Hill—had come to P’ing-yang, and that he preached the doctrine of Jesus and gave away books. I always wanted to see him, but never did. A pupil of mine brought two books from P’ing-yang; I read these two books, and then got to know where the foreigner lived. The third year my pupil again returning from P’ing-yang brought with him a New Testament; afterwards he gave it to me. I was always reading it; though I didn’t thoroughly understand it. I remember reading “the way was narrow and the gate strait that led to life,” that “few obtained salvation,” and I feared, saying, “ah, the time is soon coming, and I am not saved.” Two years after I saw another book, entitled “The Gate of True Doctrine.” The next year I wanted much to go to P’ing-yang. Some said Mr. Drake was there, others said he was away. I went to P’ing-yang and there I saw Chang Chih-heng and Mr. Sung; afterwards I saw Mr. Drake. Mr. Drake said, “Come and stop here!” I accepted his invitation. I then saw Mr. Hsi and prayed with him. Mr. Drake gave me twelve or thirteen books; at that time I fully trusted Jesus.

Arriving again at my home at Ta-ning they were very displeased. Gradually, however, others came to hear and believed too. Mr. Chang, who gave me the first copy of Mark, hearing my words also believed. In the ninth month there was a great gathering at P’ing-yang; I went to it accompanied by my brother. When I returned home my only child died—my brother also took ill. I was much depressed, and the devil tempted me that I had been deluded. Shortly afterwards my brother died, but before his death he was always saying, “Thank God! The Saviour is able to save men.” The next year in the second month, inquiry was made whether I worshipped idols or not. I replied, “No!” Thereupon the inspector of instruction had me beaten. He wants now to take away my degree, but I count it as nothing. Jesus has a greater glory in store for me than that. The next month I was baptized. In the eleventh month I was made an elder. Truly, this salvation is as it were being alive from the dead. We who trust Jesus constantly have peace. The next morning this Mr. Ch’u was ordained pastor of the Ta-ning and Sih-chau district, and five more deacons were appointed. This ended the Conference.