22 - Chapter 22
Chapter 22 - Work North of the Great Wall ------------------------------
FROM MR. BEYNON.
“Kwei-hwa-ch’eng, May 23rd, 1888.—I think I may safely tell you now that we really have made a start, for we have two bright converts, a man and a woman; they began to testify as soon as they were saved, I have hopes of a lama also: two others who have a good knowledge of Scripture profess to believe, but I am sorry that I cannot say that I am satisfied with them. Another young man, who was with Dr. Edwards for a mouth or two in 1886 or 1887, also says he believes, and that he has worship at home every day.” FROM MR. BURNETT.
“Pao-t’eo, May 22nd, 1889.—An old man who is with us, will, I think, be the first fruits of Pao-t’eo. He takes a good deal of pleasure in listening to the Gospel, and is trying according to the light he has to live up to the Christian standard. His case gives me a good deal of joy. A few months ago he was living in heathen darkness and knew nothing of a Saviour’s love. We are beginning to get regular attendants, and that is one point in the direction of progress. I am always sanguine of conversions when I see a tendency to regularity in those who come about.
“Last week while out for a day or two in an adjacent village, I had great joy in a conversation with a Mongol, who seemed so interested and thirsty to learn the Gospel. I was reminded of the woman at the well. I left him, I believe, at least a worshipper of God. I intend calling upon him again. He is a splendid scholar. I left tracts and gospels with him for perusal.” FROM MR. STEWART MCKEE.
“Ta-t’ung, June 4th, 1889.—There is one man in the city who is very anxious to join in the Church. I have no reason for refusing him, yet I do not feel quite happy in accepting him; he has attended all our services for about six months. We are praying much for guidance.
“I was interested to hear the other evening that the work is going on in secret. A boy who was in the great room as I spoke to some men said he understood the Gospel, and on my inquiring how he came to understand it he told me that his father had one of our books, “The Two friends,” of which he read and explained a portion to his family every evening. Who knows how much of that sort of work is going on? I go out almost daily in the villages, and am becoming known. I generally get a fairly good number to speak to. My wife is kept busy with the women who come about very freely, the same coming again and again: she goes out visiting three or four times a week.”