21 - Chapter 21
Chapter 21 - Letters from Hoh-Chau
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We have mentioned on page 153 that Misses Reuter and Jakobsen had gone to Hoh-chau to labor for the Lord. He has greatly blessed them, and more recently they were joined by other two devoted lady workers, Miss Burroughes and Miss Steward (now Mrs. C. T. Studd), and there were yet fuller manifestations of spiritual power. The following letters from these workers cannot be read without interest and profit. But before giving them let us look back a little. God laid the spiritual need of Hoh-chau heavily on the heart of his servant, Pastor Hsi (the story of whose conversion is recorded on page 114). Day by day at family worship he pleaded for that city and district, until at last his wife, knowing how often he had prayed for other places, and had then opened Opium Refuges in them, inquired why he did not adopt the same course at Hoh-chau. She learned that the work for which he was already responsible taxed his resources to the full, and that he could not attempt further work without a certain amount of money in hand.
Next morning Pastor Hsi as usual pleaded with God for Hoh-chau, and when he rose from his knees his wife came up again, but not empty handed, and spread all her jewelry before the Lord, saying, “I can do without these; let Hoh-chau have the Gospel.” At the time of the Conferences, between a dozen and twenty men had already been converted through the Refuge; and Pastor and Mrs. Hsi then wished for some lady missionaries to go there and work among the women. Mrs. Hsi’s consecration of her jewelry had already led to no small blessing, and had opened the way for much more, as will be seen from the following letters.
TURNING TO GOD FOR IDOLS. FROM MISS REUTER.
Hoh-Chua, October 26th—We went last Friday to a village three miles away to visit the women who have broken off opium here. We found them all happy and well. It was a joy to pray and sing together in their own room, although surrounded by a crowd curiously looking on.
Sunday was a blessed day. Never before have our two rooms for worship held so many people, both men and women. I was asked to go and see a child of one of the Christians in a village eight miles away, and promised to go on Monday. We went, and had a blessed time. The cured opium patients were all well, and were daily meeting for worship in a room set apart for that purpose. Four families worship together. In the evening the room was more than filled, and my teacher took the service: we had conversation afterwards. Next morning many came again, and we went out visiting until dinner time, when we started to return home on our donkeys.
BITTEN BY A MAD-DOG.
Passing a village called Pei-chang, a man called after us, asking if we could “see the sick,” as they say. My teacher, who was very anxious to get home, answered, “No, we have not got any medicine.” Afterwards, they told me that an old man had been bitten by a mad dog. Having gone on a mile and a half, I felt so strongly that God wanted me to return, that I sent on my teacher and woman, and returned alone with a man leading the donkey.
Three men were bitten by the dog, and the old man was very poorly—quite unable to walk—with three wounds on his leg. I had some oil and carbolic acid with me, being the only medicine I possess at present. I did not know if this would help them, especially as it was some days since they were bitten; but I knew that God had sent me, and had power to heal, so, for the people’s sake, I used it. The old man’s son is a scholar, but smokes opium. His sister-in-law was staying there; I have met her before, and she wished to break off opium. It was impossible to get away; they all pressed me to stay till the next day. The sister-in-law said, “The people here don’t know the doctrine; we will go and tell them!” I decided to stay, went out visiting, and the good news was heard by many. In the evening a crowd gather, especially men, and I almost feared that I had been wrong in staying; but I knew that it was to rescue life that I stayed, and that the Gospel was for sinful men. I never heard in China such scoffing as from some of these men. They were cured opium smokers but had again gone back to sin. The Lord was so good in helping me to warn them from the coming wrath, and to show them they were doing the same as Judas—selling Jesus. By and by not a word was said; one, weeping, wiped his eyes, and gave me the Gospel of Matthew saying, “Please explain this to us.” We had a most blessed time together. AN EARLY VISIT. A Mr. Li, also a cured opium smoker, asked me to go to his home in the same village, but further away. It was too late, so he invited me to next morning. I first refused, as I had to return and see my Bible-woman before she went home. But the man kept on pleading. He said: “You must come to my house. I believe in Jesus, and wish to throw away the idols; but my family is not willing, as no one has told them the doctrine. My sister came yesterday. She is a widow, and has just lost her only child, a son; do come and tell her—she wishes to hear the doctrine.” I then promised to go next morning, but very early. He came to fetch me in a cart before sunrise. The family met me with such kindness in every way as to make me ashamed. They are well-to-do people. The question was not the usual one about clothing and food, but this: “Let us hear your doctrine.”
Many women met together, although so early. Having told them of Jesus, the widow said: “I do love this doctrine of Jesus; it has helped my brother to give up opium, who formerly used to be out, away from family and home; and now Jesus says that I, too, must not be troubled. I love you! You will not deceive me! I have idols in my house, but I have the power to take them away, and I will destroy them!” Now came the time for a meal; they had prepared a feast—I don’t know how many dishes—most beautifully done. Five women beside myself sat down. After some conversation I wanted to leave; they offered me a cart or donkey. I accepted the latter, and left these new, dear friends. The wife of Mr. Li quite agreed that it was the best thing to destroy the idols. Lord, work out Thy purpose in saving those people. Amen.
IDOLS GONE. In the afternoon went with my teacher to a village to see the man with a bad foot. Praise God, his idols were gone. I remarked how glad I was to see they had destroyed them, and asked who had done it, as many are afraid to do it themselves. The man said, “My wife did it.” “Did you dare to do it?” ‘Yes; when we believe in Jesus we do not want the false gods.”
WEEPING FOR SIN.
Friday, 28th.―Some women came here yesterday, among whom was the wife of Mr. Koh, who has the charge of the Opium Refuge at Ling-shih Hien, a new out station. His wife has an awful temper, I believe, and her mother-in-law is very cruel, so that the home is miserable. Mr. Koh asked if his wife might stay with me, which I did not think the right thing to do; but asked him to let her come over to hear God’s Word. I sang a hymn, with the chorus, “Nailed on the Cross, nailed on the Cross,” and told them what it meant; and Mrs. Koh burst out crying, and wept bitterly. A woman asked her what she cried for, and she answered, “I am such a great sinner. I do believe in Jesus, but when I go home I forget it all, because I am so stupid. My heart cannot be opened.” And the tears streamed down. It was glorious sight. She has been here today, and done needlework.
Miss Jakobsen returned yesterday to my great joy. She is quite well and happy.
November 3rd.—Mrs. Koh came on Sunday, and while talking to Miss Jakobsen her heart was opened, as she expressed herself. Praise God, she was so happy! My teacher left yesterday; he is going home on a visit. Miss Jakobsen’s teacher is here. My Bible-woman returned on Tuesday. She had been home to see her friends. A man came today bitten by a mad dog. The people in the city say that we give the dogs medicine to poison them, in order to hurt the people. I heard on Sunday that the three men mentioned above were well.
Saturday, November 5th.—The man bitten by the dog came again yesterday and today, with several others from his village. We asked the elder and some of the Christians to come in to pray for the men, and afterwards the elder told them much of God’s truth. The man, going home yesterday, was quite in a difficulty, because he had forgotten how to pray, so he went up to a Christian man and asked him to help him.
TURNING TO THE LORD.
We were sent today to see an old man, Mr. Liu, who is ill. It was most wonderful how he grasped the truth at once. We knelt down to pray for him. He said aloud, while we prayed, “Thou alone has redeemed me! Thou wilt forgive my sins, and I shall not go to hell! Jesus can save me.” It was a great joy to us to hear this. We took it as a clear answer to our prayers, as we are specially seeking a baptism of the Holy Ghost now to get power for service. Nothing but the Spirit could have helped that old man to understand so easily.
Five women are breaking off opium.
Sunday, November 6th.—Went to old Mr. Liu today. He seems to have grasped the truth as it is in Jesus. His wife and daughter listened greedily to the Gospel, saying, “We did not know this before you came and told us.” “No,” the old man said, “we never knew there was a Jesus!”
Monday, November 7th.—I hardly know how to praise God for what we have seen today. We went to old Mr. Liu again, and found him a little better. As we were talking to him, mentioning idol worship, he said, “Yes, the idols cannot help, so mine are gone.” We looked up, and saw, to our great joy, that they were taken down. As we expressed our glad surprise, he said, “When you had gone last night we took them down. As I believe in Jesus, I do not want them.”
Tuesday, 8th.—Mr. Liu is a little better. He prays all night when he cannot sleep; he told us how he prayed. He said: “I cannot pray yet, but I say, “Jesus, if Thou dost forgive me my sins then I am forgiven; but if not, I have no way to escape hell. If Thou dost heal me, I am healed; if not, I must die. Take me then to heaven.’” etc.
Thursday, 10th.—Mr. Hsi arrived yesterday. Went to Mr. Liu today; Mr. Hsi came with us to see him. It was a touching scene when Mr. Hsi felt his pulse, and, turning to him, said: “You have no sickness, but are old. It may be you will have to leave us this year.” The old man said, “Shall I die?” Mr. Hsi: “Yes; but if you trust in Jesus you need not be afraid; you will then go to heaven.” Oh, no, I am not afraid; I shall not go to hell, because my sins are forgiven.” And when he saw his wife and daughter crying, he comforted them, saying: “Don’t be afraid; I shall go to heaven,” and his face was beaming. It was to him good news. THE FIRST BAPTISMS IN HOH-CHAU.
Friday, November 18th.—It was a happy sight when on Saturday the people began to assemble for the first gathering for baptism in Hoh-chau. Mr. Hsi had been here from Wednesday, fasting the following four days. Mr. Stanley Smith arrived in the afternoon and Mr. Hoste in the evening, having gone round the villages. The two elders from Hung-t’ung also came up. Saturday evening’s meeting was led by Mr. Hoste, after which the candidates for baptism were examined. Seventeen men and ten women were received. More than a hundred were staying with us over the conference.
Sunday morning began with early breakfast; then the morning worship was led by Mr. Stanley Smith, who spoke about building on the true foundation. Oh, how I wished our brethren and sisters to take in those precious words, so splendidly put! After the meeting came the baptism of the men by Mr. Hoste, followed immediately by that of the women by Mr. Hsi. Many people were present. The baptistry is in the large courtyard facing the street, so people going by can easily come in. The people were admirably quiet. The baptismal service being over, our friends then commenced preaching outside. The afternoon meeting was conducted by Mr. Hsi. I forgot to write that Mr. Stanley Smith went out to preach in the street with some of the brethren on Saturday. Being the first open air service in Hoh-chau, it gave us great joy, as did also that on Sunday afternoon. At that time we took the meeting with the women; it was very blessed—a testimony meeting. Every one testified of what Jesus had done for her.
BRIGHT TESTIMONY.
Some of the testimonies were splendid. One woman, who has just broken off opium, said: “I was formerly like one dead, eating opium, worshipping idols, and doing much sin; today I am as one risen from the dead, because Jesus died for me. I want to show forth a converted mind.” It was a good testimony; but her face said much more. My teacher took the evening meeting; Mr. Stanley Smith spoke afterwards. When the unbaptized had left the meeting, we then remembered the Lord’s death. Such times are heaven below to think that the heathen are turning to Him who shall soon come again, and then we shall crown Him Lord of all!
Monday morning worship was led by Elder Fan. He seems to be a man well taught in the Word of God. This is what we wish for our native brethren and sisters; but alas! Our poor sisters cannot read. Oh, this is a difficulty that is hindering exceedingly, but the Lord will help also in this. The meetings were now over, and the friends scattered. Mr. Hsi went to the villages and returned in the evening; the two gentlemen from Hung-t’ung stayed over till Tuesday. We chose Monday for fasting and prayer.
Tuesday morning all left us; praise God, they have left a blessing. I went to see old Mr. Liu in the afternoon; he was weak but happy. He said he had seen Jesus in his room. “If He will heal me,” said he, “I will preach His doctrine—I will serve him; if He will take me home, than I am glad to go.”
MORE IDOLS DESTROYED. As Miss Jakobsen or myself always have to be at the station, both because of the city work and the refuge women, and as both our teachers have much spare time, we thought it well to ask six girls to come and stay with us for the winter months, learning to read; so we went to the village five miles off on Wednesday, to see about the girls. It was the first time we walked, but we enjoyed it much. We were, as usual, met with great kindness, and had the joy of destroying the idols in one family. Had a delightful time with the people. Next morning went to another village where a man had just died—poor, poor soul! The women were mourning. They sorrow as those who have no hope. Oh, that they would hearken when warned of the wrath to come!
Today, Friday, the mail has arrived at last, bringing much news. Among other things, we heard that Mr. Bagnall, with a party of ladies and gentlemen, will be down soon. What a joy to get reinforcements! Hallelujah, for such a God! Mr. Liu died today.
Sunday, 20th November.—Praise God for a blessed Sunday! A mason asked us to go and see his sick wife a few days ago. She has the dropsy, poor thing, and does not seem likely to recover. She smokes opium fearfully. A poor “Samaritan woman” came in the first day. Oh, how the sin has marked her! She seemed touched hearing the Gospel, but nothing more than what one so often sees—that they wish to repent and believe, but next moment all is forgotten. She came in, however every day to see us, when we came; and she promised to come here to worship today. She came. In the meeting for the women the power of God was felt in a special manner. There was a quite a breakdown. One old woman, Mr. Koh’s mother, whom I have mentioned before, cried bitterly. As she listened to the Gospel, she said over and over again: “Do you hear: these are the words of the living God, and we never heard them before!” Every one of the women were moved, while that poor sinner was sitting without a word. Then God led me to tell them of the woman at the well, and she seemed to feel it was for her. She said, “How shall I pray? How shall I be able to break off opium?” We knelt down, told her to speak what was in her heart, and, folding her hand she prayed: “God, I wish to repent. I believe in Thee; I wish to break off opium.”
REINFORCEMENTS.
Saturday, 26th.—The week has gone, and has brought some changes at our station. Mr. Bagnall arrived on Tuesday with the Misses Burroughes and Stewart, who are going to stay with us for the winter; and Misses Scott and Miles for Ta-ning. Next day brought Messrs. Folke and Russell, going to P’ing-yang Fu. It was a great change to us, used as we are to be here alone. I can only praise God for all His arrangements; they are His indeed. It was good to see the earnest, self denying spirit in our sisters who went on, and in those who are left with us. Surely, if they are a specimen of the hundred, we can praise God for hearing our little prayer:
“Oh, send a hundred workers, Lord—
Those of Thy mind, Thy will, and choice.”
Those going on left us on Thursday morning. As they were starting, all the Christians went out into the yard, and there we sang: “Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus,” in Chinese. Well, they went to follow Him, and we stayed with the same desire— TO FOLLOW HIM EVERYWHERE.
We have had some precious times on our knees together lately. Before our friends came, Miss Jakobsen and I set apart some time every day for special united prayer, and occasionally for fasting, in order to seek God’s guidance about how to dress, how to work, and how to get power for service. This morning at prayer we realized that the power was coming. We told God that we would be fools for Him—yea, anything in order to save these people. We have got an answer about dress. Seeing that Jesus, our Pattern, became poor, we will follow Him. What dear Miss Steward suggested was a great help: “They that dress in soft clothing are in king’s houses;” and another: “They were amazed at His doctrine.” Oh, so to live as to make the people amazed at the doctrine of Jesus!
Mr. Hsi arrived last night quite unexpectedly. We had for some time thought of having the Sunday afternoon worship out in the men’s opium refuge, because that is facing the street, and there is more room. We spoke to Mr. Hsi about it, and he thought it well; so Miss Steward and myself went out to invite people to come tomorrow. AN OPEN AIR SERVICE.
Just outside our house, on the other side of the street, is a large open space, and the conversation at tea time was about the morrow’s work, and how best to reach the city people. Miss Steward said, “Would not Mr. Hsi take a service out there on that open space?” We decided to ask him, and after prayer we put it before him whether it would do or not. He was one with us, and praised God for the idea. May God’s blessing follow us. We dare it for Jesus. Our time is so short, and we believe the Lord means us to go forward at whatever cost.
Sunday evening.—Met together this morning to be armed for the day before us. An insane woman was brought here to see Mr. Hsi, who laid hands on her, praying. As we afterwards sang, “Jesus loves me,” the tears rolled down her cheeks, to the astonishment of all the women, who said, “Oh, her heart is opening.”
Many people came, and at noon we all went outside, where they had arranged for the meeting, with forms for the women, and the harmonium was also brought out. I cannot describe our feeling as we saw the crowd gathered—men, women, and children—in the midst of heathen China to hear the Word of God. The gong was beaten the third time, and Mr. Hsi appeared. We had a splendid open air meeting, the people perfectly quiet, eagerly listening. How different to many a noisy, mocking crowd in our Christian lands! The people waited through the whole meeting; the Spirit had without doubt taken hold of them. It must have made an impression on them when our happy band of men, women, and children sang, “Home, sweet home.” We all felt that to have this meeting was to dare something for Jesus; but one was kept in perfect peace all the day, through these words: “Solomon gave her all that she asked beside what he gave her of his royal bounty.” As we separated we sang in Chinese, “Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus.” How little we know what it means, and yet we would rather “walk in the dark with God, than walk alone in the light.”
STRONGER THAN THE POWERS OF DARKNESS. From Misses J. Burroughes and P.L. Stewart.
December 20th, 1887.—Since settling down we have so much wished to write and tell you how happy we are. We came north in October, and remain here till it is convenient for us to go to P’ing-yang. Miss Reuter and Miss Jakobsen have an intensely interesting work here, and the Lord has of a truth made us of one heart, of one mind, and of one accord in it. He has spoken to us all definitely and powerfully that He has much people in this city, and that we must not rest nor give him any rest until His righteousness goes forth as the brightness, and his salvation as a lamp that burneth. The thick darkness which one feels, the fact that the air is indeed filled with the devil, and that we are in the midst of a people, many of whom seem literally possessed by the devil—held in bondage, spellbound, deafened, blinded, hardened by the devil—DEAD in trespasses and sin—has stirred us up almost to consider, Is it in the Bible at all that there is a stronger power? Is it really said the Son of God came that He might
DESTROY the devil and his works? And oh, how it makes one’s heart rejoice, and how it makes one’s brain almost reel with the thought of “possibilities” which before seemed “impossibilities” when one didn’t hear God’s own voice thundering it forth. It has come to us as a mighty, rushing torrent, sweeping away the evil heart of unbelief that He took part of our nature, that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death ―i.e. the devil—and deliver them who through fear were all their lifetime subject to bondage; that the son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil. It has sent us forth certain of victory, in that we are more than conquerors through Him! Glorious though! More than conquerors through Him to whom no thing is impossible and to whom no thing is too wonderful!
Surely if we knew our God we should do exploits and be strong. Here we feel like Elihu, “God is great, and we know him not.” But hallelujah, we have laid hold of Him, and He is revealing His majesty and power and might. He is letting us hear the voice which breaketh the cedars, which can divide the flames of fire, which is able to shake the wilderness. First in our own hearts He has broken away much that was deeply-rooted: He is working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. He has given us a thorough, downright shaking, and aroused us up not to be content with the faith as a grain of mustard seed, even though it can remove mountains. Out here He has indeed made the devil real to us, sin real to us, hell real to us, eternity real to us; and very real that these people are Dead, and that nothing but the voice of the God of Glory thundering forth can awake them. He has brought us to realize that it is just as the life of the risen Son of God— THE CONQUEROR— is manifested in our lives, so will the devil and all his works be destroyed in Hoh-chau. Just as we are willing to be like Him, who “verily took not on Him the nature of angels, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and humbled Himself,” so shall we be, in His hand, the saviours of these Chinese. That it is indeed, “He that saith he abideth in Him, ought himself so to walk even as He walked,” who ever steadfastly set His face to go towards Jerusalem. Oh, it has come home to us so strongly, it rings in our ears, “Ye have not resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” It has humbled us in the dust before our God, and made us to feel that in His service it is indeed following after Him whether for life or for death; that in saving others He could not save Himself; He suffered, leaving us an example that we should follow in His steps. He seems to come to us over and over again with the one question, “How far are you willing to go?” We have answered, to walk even as He walked—to go as far as He went. And He takes us at our word; for He is making us real, and leading us on step by step, so manifestly so miraculously, that we dare not tempt Him by limiting His power, and just go forward, trusting to His strength being made perfect in our weakness, and as we wait before Him He does clothe us with His Spirit, and give us the look which made poor, small Gideon “the mighty man of valor,” and speaks in our ear, “Go in this thy might; have not sent thee?” The Chinese, too, seem to feel there must be a mighty Spirit working through us, and that our God is A LIVING GOD.
We do feel that God, with His great “whosoever” heart of love, cannot be satisfied with the salvation of these souls by twos and threes. We ourselves are not, when we think of Hoh-chau’s thousands who have not yet heard, and do not yet believe, while the Word says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Oh, what a responsibility, when He deals with us about souls, to hear Him ask, “Have ye understood all these things?” to answer Yea, lord. Yet we here are so few; but He is teaching us that a mighty work may be done on our knees. We are learning the result of cleaving unto the Lord our God, and are claiming His promise, “One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, He it is that fighteth for you, as He hath promised you.” And oh, what a mystery to us as yet are the words, “My zeal hath cut me off”—“clad with zeal as a cloak.” We have entered into a covenant with the Lord our God to seek Him with all our heart, and with all our soul, for the salvation of souls. He has given us a solemn heart-searching through Paul’s testimony, “Serving the Lord with many tears,” and warning every one night and day with tears. When the rivers of waters run down our eyes because they keep not His laws, when our hearts are agonized and broken with grief because they keep not His Word, when there is this crying, and taking hold of Him night and day, then we shall have the speedy avenging. Does not one prove, “This king goeth not out but by Prayer and Fasting”? And this yearning to really take hold on God that we may prevail with Him in prayer has very much stirred up our hearts, and driven right home to us by the power of His Spirit the question, “AM I RISKING ANYTHING FOR JESUS out here in China, that these souls may be saved? or, Am I rather, on the contrary, shielding myself from reproach and shrinking from the cross?” And our cry goest up to God, “Lord Jesus, if salvation means anything to me, let me live among these people as if I believed in eternity, and let me show them I am wiling to risk anything—my very life if needs be—to rescue them from hell.” Oh, praise the Lord, He is speaking loudly to our hearts that we are really to go all lengths for Christ; if not, surely their blood will be upon our heads. Those words in Ezekiel 33:6, etc. the Lord surely means for us out here, who are His watchmen, “His blood will I require at the watchman’s hand,” “I have set thee a watchman. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.”
Putting forth our utmost effort it is, at the best, comparatively speaking, but few women we can visit. The question goes home to our hearts. At this rate, how are we to blow the trumpet in the ears of Hoh-chau’s thousands of women and men? Our time and their time is short; He comes quickly. Surely this is not the only effort we can make in His name. And our hearts’ cry is this, “Lord, if it does mean reproach, if it does mean loss of reputation, if it does mean persecution, if it does mean to be evil spoken of, we are willing to risk something for Thee to reach this people.” Those verses in the Epistle of Peter seem the answer to what is so often said, “You must not do this or that because the Chinese will not understand; it is against all their ideas.” 1 Peter 2:12:―“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles; that, whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 3:16:―“Having a good conscience, that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” 1 Peter 4:14:―“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you; on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.”
Feeling the conviction that we were not “blowing the trumpet” in the ears of all the people, we asked the Lord what He meant us to do, and determined to go forward at all cost. The result was the Lord showed us He meant us to go out and compel them to hear. So, accordingly, through the goodwill of our landlady, who believes in the doctrine, we went out to a large open space not far from this house, which belongs to her, and had a meeting: and the Lord did manifestly set His seal upon it, praise the Lord! He did give us the “victory.” He brought out the people in large numbers, and as we stood there, oh! How we felt, as never before in our lives, “the living God is among us.” The people were as if
SPELL-BOUND
How our hearts condemned us, as we did indeed prove that day what a mighty God we have to deal with, that we had ventured so little, so very little in His Name, and those words seemed to wring our very hearts: “He could not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” We cried to God, “Oh, God, let it not be that our unbelief should hinder Thee working in Hoh-chau!” The Lord gave us some tokens for good that first open-air meeting; He laid hold of the people by the power of the Holy Ghost. There was no disturbance whatever―on the contrary, perfect quiet and attention; women joined us too, and little children. Now we have been out three Sundays, and, praise the Lord! He has given us “victory” from the very first; He showed His approval the first effort we made in His Name, and, hallelujah! We are proving there is NO LIMIT to what the Lord can and will do if we are willing to follow Him and to obey. With the command He always gives the strength and power.
Some who never ventured before, both of men and women, have come since to our indoor worship; and we believe that our going out and letting them see what our worship is like, will win their confidence. We are proving that the sight of our earnestness draws hearts to believe in the reality of salvation—that it must mean something―and breaks away, too, much of the prejudice they have against us. The victories He gave us urged us on to still greater faith; so we got the Christians to meet with us every evening, for ten evenings, to wait upon God for still greater blessings in our own souls and in the work. The devil tried us in many ways, and did his utmost to hinder; but we knew that “Satan to Jesus must bow,” and the Lord gave him a grand defeat! Hallelujah! Our tenth day was Saturday. We claimed from God still larger numbers, and more women on the Sunday, and He did definitely answer. Sunday was a grand day of
VICTORY!
Hallelujah for the victories we are winning by the way! The faith as a grain of mustard seed was exercised, and we had many more than on the previous Sunday. Our song is—
“Thine is the victory!”
“Victory is of the Lord!”
It is He that giveth victory!”
We shall triumph (yet more and more) in Thy victory! We have Hoh-chau’s hundreds to listen, but we must have Hoh-chau’s thousands. They listen with intense interest and eagerness, and stand the meetings out, no matter how long. Before, only our teachers and some of the Christians have spoken and given their testimonies―two or three in real style too! Between each all join in singing choruses; we are constantly learning new ones. At the first two meetings we had only thirteen women at the most. Last Sunday we truly did feel small when we saw the grand result the Lord gave to the feeble effort we had made the previous week in waiting on Him a short time each day, by bringing out 40 women (some of the better class) to join us, and doubling the number of men.
We had seats for almost all the women. But when Miss Jakobsen and Miss Reuter left their places and stepped into the middle, it was like a magnet thrown among needles, for the crowd seemed to surge in their eagerness to hear (they are really most orderly and respectful). In their earnestness lest they should lose a word, THE WOMEN ROSE EN MASSE.
It was a thrilling sight to see their necks craned, and their hungry eyes riveted: the whole crowd seemed spell-bound. It reminded one of those words, “The eyes of all were fastened on Him;” “they hanged upon Him to hear His words;” “the people pressed upon Him to hear the Word of God,” etc. It made us send a burst of praise to the throne of grace to see a woman hold up a Bible in a Chinese crowd, and tell them that through it we heard the voice of God, etc. It was grand to hear Miss Reuter proclaim, Ye must repent! She said to the women, “Why is it, when you come to see me, you have only a long tale of woe―no happiness, no peace, etc.? It is just because of the sin in your heart, and because you don’t know this Jesus.” It wrongs one’s heart to hear the moan of sorrow that went through the place where the women stood. As she told them the true reason why we were here―only because we love them, and to tell them of salvation―a sight was seen which could scarcely be credited―tears in the eyes of one of Hoh-chau’s largest shopkeepers, one who has mocked us in the shop. Now, glory to God, he has a tract on the wall of his shop!
It is simply lovely to see the delight of the people, and their astonishment, too, at our little band of children standing, singing, and beating time with their hands—
“Jesus can help little children To sing and to pray, and not dare commit sin,” etc.
What strikes us so much is the almost breathless silence in the crowd during the whole meeting. We realize vividly that God is in our midst of a truth, and that “Jesus the Light is bursting through” this dense darkness. We did feel filled with praise on Sunday as we saw and felt that God has spoken, and we do still. He seems to say to each of our hearts that He had given us these people—
Thine is the power!
Thine is the Glory! Amen and amen.
“The Lion of Judah shall break every chain, And give us the victory again and again.”
Hope thou in God! We have been having holiness meetings with the Christians, and not shrinking from going straight at their lives. The result has been the men and women are giving up their tobacco pipes, the women their jewelry, and some of them who have only sham small feet are unbinding them. “It is not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord.”
We feel “Hitherto ye have asked nothing in My Name,” and we do want to be still stirred up and spurred on to yet stronger and greater faith. It is just as we follow on we shall come to know the Faith that laughs at Impossibilities, and cries it shall be done—that we shall realize “Thy Name is great in might;” “WONDERFUL!” that “even the devils are subject unto us through Thy Name! “Oh the power that lies in the Name of Jesus of Nazareth! The news of the arrival of the last party of “the hundred’ has not yet reached us; but we feel certain of their coming. Our motto for the coming year is HAVE FAITH IN GOD.
According to your Faith be it unto you! This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our Faith! We do so want BIG worldwide hearts, and we are quite sure it is only down at the foot of the Cross we shall get them; and there alone that we can understand the greatness of his great, loving, sympathizing, sorrowful, broken heart. FROM MISS REUTER.
“Hoh-chau, April 27th, 1888.—Mr. and Mrs. Bagnall arrived on Thursday last, and Mr. Hoste came the same day arrange about the baptisms. Praise God, thirty-seven have confessed Jesus as Lord. Only three females were baptized, one of whom was a dear little girl staying with us. Two women were put off, and some were hindered by the rain. Mr. Hsi arrived on Saturday, the Christians on Friday, and Saturday. There were candidates for baptism from Chao-ching, Fen-hsi, Ling-shih and Hoh-chau. Oh, how delightful it is to have these dear people with us! We have had about a hundred and twenty.
“We had a praise meeting on Saturday night. Mr. Hsi had written a hymn about the coming again of Jesus that we practiced together, as well as other singing. Mr. Hsi took the Sunday morning service. It is marvelous to see God’s grace in him. The afternoon meeting was in the open air; I never saw such a crowd stand so long eagerly listening, but the power of God took hold of them.” FROM MR. BAGNALL.
“P’ing-yang-Fu, May 23rd.—We still have very much to praise the Lord for in Shan-si. Souls are being saved, and, as might be expected, the enemy is still using his wiles and causing trouble in different places. I believe I mentioned in my last the thirty-seven baptized at Hoh-chau. Since then we have had a church gathering at P’ing-yang when over thirty candidates were brought together from the different stations and villages. Of these fifteen were received by baptism. One was from K’üh-wu and five from a town forty li this side of that city. Two were from Fuh-shan Hien, the others being from P’ing-yang and villages.” FROM MR. ORR EWING.
“P’ing-yao, June 4th.—Last week was a blessed time! On Monday a man destroyed his idols; this man had before put them away, but owing to his son being very angry had allowed his wife and the son to put them up again. Now he has thoroughly destroyed them. Hallelujah!
“Thursday we went to Wu-lu-tsun, where are eleven men who broke off their opium at Chieh-hsiu. I praise God for this visit. One man in fear and trembling put away his idols as we told him the Lord would not otherwise heal him; he made the fourth in that place who has turned the devil out of doors. I trust he is turned out of their hearts too. At night I testified to the grace of God that bringeth salvation; there must have been fifty present. Nearly all the others who have broken off opium are willing personally to put away the idols. But there is some hindrance in the home,―either parents or wife unwilling.
“The Chieh-hsiu Refuge would do nicely as a residence for a single man, and it is a tremendous field. I see before me the prospect of hundreds of souls, I may say thousands, from this district of devil-ruled and opium-drugged slaves. I am trusting Him to supply every need, who says, “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
“On Saturday I went with Mr. Hsi to a village forty li off. On Friday Mr. Hsi visited a man who had broken off opium, and there they destroyed the idols.” FROM MR. LUTLEY.
“Hiao-i, July 25th.—Mr. Orr Ewing, Mr. Russell and I started early for a village, near which we had a most impressive service. Seven men and three women were baptized. A number of others had asked for baptism, but it had been thought best for them to wait another month or so. We all returned to the village, where we had the pleasure of smashing a brass idol that had been brought to be destroyed. The natives who were watching us spoke of it as breaking the devil; anyway the Lord is breaking his power in this village, but there are many proofs that he is not going to lose one soul without a struggle, and it will be real fighting. In the afternoon we met around the Lord’s table, twenty-three natives and six of us foreigners. Then we had a Church meeting and appointed two deacons, after which we started back for Hiao-i.
“August 8th.—Praise the Lord, He has today given us our first idol smashing in Shih-tong. This evening a good number came to listen, and during the meeting a young man brought out all his idols, his mother also being quite willing. There were two small brass idols besides wood and paper ones. We soon smashed them up, and then made a bonfire in the midst of a crowd who gathered to witness it. Brother Russell spoke to the people of the foolishness of worshipping idols.” FROM MISS WHITCHURCH.
“Hiao-i, December 6th.—We had a grand time of blessing last week. In a village to which we went on Monday an old man named Ren tore up his one paper idol before his neighbors, and came here for the service last Sunday. The same day a man from Ho-tih brought his idols and smashed them before entering the Refuge. The next day Wang came and told us that his old neighbor wanted to take down his idols, and invited us to go and help, which we were not slow to do.
“On Thursday, Lo Ta-sao brought in triumph a relative of hers from a village about seven li away, with her ten false gods that we might see them smashed here. I was out in the villages at the time, but heard the glad news on my return; also that there was a man named Tien living in the west suburb who wished us to go to his house next morning to take down his. We went singing all the way, and on reaching the place found a crowd awaiting us. The man and his wife gave us a hearty welcome, and after prayer the gods were taken down and burnt right out in the street where a large crowd had now gathered; and not one man or woman raised an angry voice against it.” FROM MR. KEY.
“Ta-ning, May 7th.—On Friday evening a good number of the converts arrived; some of them had come from villages fifty, sixty and seventy li distant. After prayer we examined the candidates for baptism―eleven in all. Beside these there were several women, but our sisters thought it would be best for them to wait. We received seven. It was indeed a pleasure to be here and to see these dear people so full of joy and happiness. We had several of the old women from Sang-ngoh, and amongst others Pastor Ch’ü’s mother. She is the same bright old lady, and has always a kind word for every one; she does seem to “bear the image of her Master in her face.” FROM MRS. KEY.
“May 22nd.—At Ta-ning, where Misses Scott and Miles are, the seed was sown in good ground nine years ago; now there are a native Pastor and Elder for the district, two tried and tested servants of God, who these past four years, both by life and conversation, have show openly whom they serve. Mr. Cassels lived among these dear people for nearly a year and endeared himself to all; when he was removed to Si-ch’uen there was indeed a blank, but the Lord led and fed His children. Eighteen months ago dear Misses Scott and Miles were sent just at the right time. (Oh, how one can see the Lord’s hand in it all!) These dear young sisters, only a few months in the country, came full of love, faith and courage, willing to be led of God, and He has guided them and given them heavenly wisdom. I have just spent three weeks with them―a long promised visit, and it has cheered me more than I can tell you to see them in the midst of their work.”