We then began to eat and a little orphan brought me a pancake and some greens, and I ate with them and they thought it was great fun. After I had taken a few mouthfuls, I wanted no more. I was satisfied. I offered a little boy the remaining part of my food, which he willingly accepted. The evening spent with those children was a scene I shall never forget. I love them. They are so bright, and have names that would do credit to any monarch.
We had a meeting at night, and after the sermon, some souls said they wanted the Holy Ghost, and prayed through. It was blessed to hear people in India pray for His incoming and to know they received Him.
We went to the meetings in a tonga, which consists of two wheels, a tongue, two seats with the backs together in a box, and drawn by two bullocks, the driver sitting on the tongue. We had to laugh at the artful way in which the driver convinced the bullocks that they must move along, as it was sprinkling rain. He would talk to them, goad them, beat them, and at last twist their tails when other means failed to bring about the desired result to increase their speed.
Now Gong is one of the most impressive places in India for its natural beauty. One day we went to see some of the tombs which were built about nine centuries ago, one for the wife and one for the husband. We saw Hindu temples, with heathen gods which the people worship. As we drove through the village, I thought this is what Jesus had on His heart when He said to His disciples, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." This Divine command was burning in my soul before, and it meant So much to me after that day and that trip. He has said, "Ask of Me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. We can claim these special promises for this work, for the Holy Ghost has sent men and women to the uttermost parts of the earth."
As I looked into the faces of the missionaries, I wondered if they knew how our hearts burned within us as they told us of the dealings of God on the field, and how He has put to flight the army of the aliens. Those were wonderful days to my soul. I had not found so great faith in God before.
We returned, and after dinner we went to the Army Barracks, and held a meeting, and one soul said, "I have tonight come back to God." What a blessed life this is, to witness to the power of God, to save and keep those who put their trust in Him. Glory to God! The missionaries are doing a blessed work among the soldiers there, which requires much prayer and waiting before Him for wisdom to reach them. I preached on what it meant to disobey God. The Holy Ghost was there in power, and deep conviction rested on the, people. Several raised their hands for prayer, but nothing but the power of God can keep those who meet with so many temptations and snares from many of their fellow men.
The last day we were in Now Gong we took a drive to Chocapur, a place where no mission had as vet been established. There are so many temples and idols there, it gave us a clear idea of what idolatry means. We had a nice meeting, sang some songs and gave out tracts. The people listened attentively, and it seemed to be a new epoch in their lives to hear of One who could save from sin and satisfy their longing hearts.
According to the plans which we felt were of the Lord, after bidding the missionaries good-bye and committing them in prayer to Him who never slumbers or sleeps, but continually cares for His own, and said, "salaam" to the natives amidst singing and shouting, we left the mission on our way rejoicing, feeling better equipped for the work which was before us.
On our way to Ashangabad, the English Friend's station, we were met by Mrs. Taylor, who with her husband have charge of a blessed work there. We went to the Girls' Orphanage, were shown over the place, and had some meetings there. The Lord blessed the messages which sank deep into hearts, as they had been taught the way of salvation before. As we think of the workers, our hearts are touched, as many have been taken to their reward in Heaven. Brother Butler died just before we came. Those who leave heathen darkness for heavenly light will certainly have rich reward and a bright crown that will shine forever and ever.
Easter was appointed as a time for all day meeting, and the Lord set His seal to every service. We had a blessed meeting with the missionaries at Ashangabad, and on the night of the 11th, the Holy Ghost was with us in power and blessing. Some prayed for Him to come into their hearts, and I believed God answered. Had a blessed time in Mr. Taylor's home. They were so kind to me, as a servant of Jesus Christ, and I longed to be a blessing to them while there. One of the greatest needs is more workers. The few who are on the field, work and toil beyond their strength, but they say with all the hardships and unpleasant things they have to meet, the Lord gives peace in their souls and a special fascination for the work, and they love it. I attended the meetings and spoke through an interpreter, there being about four or five hundred present, and the attention was good. We had one or two services every day, in which the Holy Ghost had charge and Jesus was lifted up. One cannot help but be impressed with the solemnity and perfect order there is in a service. It is the more remarkable from the fact that they have so recently come from under the heathen yoke, and one would not be surprised were there disorder and misbehavior, but they will sit and listen with the greatest reverence, as if they had always been used to going to the house of God.
Mr. and Mrs. Swan have charge of a large orphanage, and the number was increased during the last famine, and the children have remained with them. I held several meetings here which was a great blessing to my own soul, and I felt that many were settling with God. What an opportunity for the Master in India.
Bulsar is a village about a hundred and fifty miles from Bombay where I spent sometime in meetings, and personal work, and spent several nights in prayer. At that place, among others Abraham, a Mohammedan, who had been a Christian for several years, earnestly sought and received the Holy Ghost. The expression was bright and he gave a clear testimony to the sanctifying power of God in his soul. He had charge of an orphanage at this place. The meetings were well attended and God was with us in a marvelous way People confessed their sins and made wrongs right and gave their hearts to God. We held some meetings on the shore and souls received the Holy Ghost,
After the completion of the Tabernacle, we held a meeting there, and Brother Hughes of Bombay, a pilot, and for many years a good Christian, prayed for the first time to be sanctified wholly. God was faithful, and the work was done. His face shone with the very light of heaven, and we believed he would be a valiant soldier for God. Some days afterward, while talking with his wife, a great burden came on me that she might enter into the light of the fullness of God. As I talked and prayed with her, it was beautiful how child-like she accepted the promises of God, and He came in to crown her life with victory. Often while we were in service, the scorpions would drop down out of the thatched roof, and we could only trust the Lord to keep us from being stung, and He preserved us.
Sometimes after a day of service, I would go to the beach and bury myself in the sand, and pour out my heart to God in prayer that He would sanctify believers, and call forth more workers into the field.
I looked out upon the vast ocean, with its many ships, but there was room for more, so it is in the ocean of the fullness of God's love, there is always room for others in the unfathomed depths of His love and grace. Many never get farther out than the sand, never leave the shore and trust themselves to Him who longs to lead them out into the deep things of God. Men and women must be called of God, and not of man to a work like this. There are many hard and unpleasant things to meet, but if God calls them forth into that land of great need, suffering and sorrow, He will make all grace abound, and their paths will be strewn with victory. When we think of the millions in the heathen lands that worship wood and stone, and know nothing better, we must acknowledge that we are debtors. We see the effect of continuous idolatrous worship for generations in many forms, and it will take the supernatural to deliver these helpless, sin-bound people who are in such bondage of body and soul. One must know the God of Sinai, the God of Elijah, and have the boldness of Daniel, the obedience of Samuel and the patience of Job, in order to deal with these people. His call is the highest given to mortal man, and He has a supply both in men and means, and if He were allowed to draw upon it, it would never be exhausted, because it is eternal. This is not to be done by man, but by the Holy Ghost, and He can supply the need of every heathen land upon this globe, if all would say, "Here am I, send me."
A worker in any mission field without the Holy Ghost, is like a man at a carpenter's bench without tools, and is unable to do his work on this account. Spirit-filled workers is India's greatest need, and the devil is doing his worst to prevent His sending such into this field. I have seen the work of the Holy Ghost until I am convinced that He would do a great work, a wonderful work in India, if He only had His way. I have heard many souls say, "I am saved in answer to prayer." I shall always praise God for what my eves have seen and my ears have heard. It is His own work and will tell in eternity, and no one should go to that land except true, tried and tested workers. I believe if more knew the risen Christ, a much greater work would be done, and many more would know the joy of God's salvation. May God hasten the day when India's needs will be supplied, and many will enter her doors which are now wide open.
"It was only a band of black men, With dusky forms and bare; But who cannot read the story That the dark lines picture there?
They tell of many a sorrow, Of many an ache and pain, Of many a deed of penance, With scarcely a hope of gain.
They tell of a cruel bondage, More cruel still by far Than the chains when white men bound them And carried them afar.
For these are the chains that are heated And forged in the treadmill of sin, And the price is the cost of heaven For the metal placed therein.
Oh, where are the armies that freedom Has claimed and can call her own: The armies of Christ that have gathered To establish forever His Throne?
See where your great Commander Is leading the forces today. Forth to the battle, my comrades, Forth to the thick of the fray."
A missionary who had been in the work for forty years, said he knew he had been converted when God called him, and he began feeling a great burden for the heathen, but was really not satisfied in his soul, and he felt clear that he should not go to the foreign field until his own heart was satisfied. And on making inquiry of different ones about an experience of this kind, they told him they were not satisfied and never expected to be until they died and went to heaven, and gave the quotation, "I shall be satisfied when I awake in His likeness," so he took his appointment, was promised a good salary and went to the foreign field. But as soon as he arrived, he felt the hunger in his heart more than ever, and said, "How can I enter into this work until I know God; I do not know Him now." He found no one to teach him in the better way, so he had gone on in the work the best he knew how for forty years, and at one of my meetings he knelt at the altar and received the Holy Ghost as simply as a child. Before he went to the altar he stood up in the audience and said, "I do not know whether any one else is going to the altar or not, but this is what I have been wanting for forty years, and thank God the day has come when I can receive the Holy Ghost."
During one meeting we note two special cases, missionaries who had been in the field several years. On their arrival they had found things so different from what they had expected, that they had become discouraged. Being sent out by a Board, and not wanting to come back, they decided to go on and do the best they could. When they came to the meeting, the Holy Ghost in His faithfulness revealed to them the condition of their hearts, and they found they were backslidden, and they came to the altar and renewed their covenants with God, after which they sought the Holy Ghost, and He came in and filled their hearts with such joy and such victory that they said they felt that they could go on and push the work of the Lord in that place as they had never been able to do before. We rejoiced to see their willingness to surrender to God, in the face of all opposition.
After spending two months in India, I set sail for China. My last days in Bombay were spent with friends who were sanctified wholly at Bulsar. Being affected by the severe climate, I was very weak and unable to preach, but some of them came to my room and we prayed and they received the Holy Ghost. A lady who had lived a life of vanity and pleasure, and thinking very little about the realities of life, came to India to live. Here she began to feel her loneliness and dependence upon God. She was clearly converted, but her heart was not satisfied. When I told her about the Comforter who would come into her heart to abide forever, and would reveal the will of God in her heart and life; she gladly received Him. She was only one of the many who walked in the light.
The morning we were to sail, I arose early, read my Bible and prayed, and felt as clear in going as I had in coming. I was accompanied to the ship by Brother Hughes, the pilot, who said as he took my hand and bade me good-bye, "I am so glad you came;" and I responded from the bottom of my heart, "I, too, am glad." The anchor was raised and we were soon tossing on the sea, on our way to China. There were only a few passengers, and the Lord gave me for company a young man who was going to Shanghai.
At Colombo I went ashore with the Captain and went to F. B. Swiss's Road, and here held meetings with about two hundred children. They gave me a warm reception and after a good meeting in which the power of God was manifested in a wonderful way, I bade them good-bye and returned to the ship. As I was leaving, the Superintendent of the work said, "God bless you, you are always welcome." He had Bible texts all over his house, such as, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life." It was so inspiring to see such faithfulness and such true men of God in those dark places of the earth. They will be bright gems for the Master's crown when He comes to gather His jewels. I reached the ship, the anchor was lifted, and we left for _____, to me an unknown world, and an unknown sea, but knowing the Guide and Pilot has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee," whose presence filled my soul.
I met a missionary on his way to Penang, and the evening before we reached there, he came to my room and after reading the Bible, he realized that God'< promises were for him. He prayed, and the Lord sanctified him wholly. Another said he wanted the Holy Ghost, and I was sure He would come into any heart which would welcome Him.
At Penang, I saw some Chinamen, the first I had seen. This place is largely controlled by them. I went to one of their temples and saw them praying to gods of wood and stone, and while praying they would hold the idols in their hands for awhile, as if their prayers were to be answered, then in a short time these pieces of wood or stone would fall from their hands, or they would drop them of their own accord, and that would mean that their god did not answer their prayer, and without receiving any help they would go away.
I saw the men being punished, and they are very severe in their punishment. They consider it a religious duty, and they must carry it out in a very effective manner.
I saw the children going to school, and heard them studying aloud, as is their custom in the day schools. It blessed my soul to see that a good mission work was being carried on there, in which young hearts are learning to know the Christ, and whose lives will mean much to bring the light to those about them.
Near Penang is an island to which several hundred lepers have been sent to keep them away from the people. It is provided for by the English government, and a similar place is being prepared for the Boers of South Africa. Only those who take care of lepers and the missionaries who go to carry the bread of life are allowed on this island. This is a hard and self-sacrificing work, but their reward is sure and their crowns will be bright. When Jesus was on earth, He went to the lepers and He still has those who will follow Him there.
As we were returning to the ferry, a little beggar girl came running up to us and we each gave her a penny, at which she seemed much pleased.
We returned to our steamer and watched the beautiful sunset. I sat on deck and watched the boats as they darted around the harbor, like so many fire flies, each one going at good speed, ant after performing its mission, returning, ready to go again. I watched the unloading of the ship. It was different from what it was at the other ports. They had tracks laid on the wharf, besides many cars and several switches. They would send the loaded car down one track and bring the empty car back on another. After watching this for sometime, I asked what all those cars were loaded with, and was told it was opium. They said tons and tons of that stuff were shipped there every year, besides a large amount raised in China. It is the curse of China, as it weakens the body', as well as damns the soul of thousands and thousands every year. How sad that any Christian nation will have anything to do with this abominable business. Where one missionary is sent, there are tons of this accursed stuff on the same 'steamer, and when the missionaries meet these poor lost souls, in addition to the natural heathen darkness, they are crazed with this awful drug, which paralyzes mind and body, and they are in such an awful condition they can scarcely receive the Gospel message nor treat with respect the Gospel messenger, who comes from a country that blesses and curses at the same time. "Consistency, thou art still a jewel of rare beauty, and very few dig into the unknown depths and enjoy thy adorning. Where art thou?"
As 1 went from place to place in dark China, the burden of dying souls was on my heart, one of the saddest sights that met my gaze was the sign, "American Fine Whiskies Just Received," and the whisky had no doubt come on the same steamer that brought the missionary. The curse of the whole world, with its passion, death, and hell, is sent to this helpless people who know not God. It seems that the blush of guilt and shame would come to the cheek of the nation, and the "Stars and Stripes," representing blessed freedom, would hang at half mast, until this poisonous serpent, which has so long been the curse, is driven from the land, and we have true freedom. "Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." Why should not Christian America make a move on this line that would make proud England ashamed of her public houses, where whole families go for refreshment? These nations which have been so proud in the past, may in the near future be put to confusion. Why are not the millions of dollars that are yearly used to kill men, used to save them? How can we hope to have our prayers answered in a foreign land until a great reform takes place in the home lands, and "Prohibit" is the watchword. This is an enormous question that must sooner or later be settled, by ballot or blood. It seems that the nation's cup of iniquity is almost full, and judgment will precede mercy, and curses instead of blessings will be given to us in an. unlimited degree, if we fail to walk in the light. It seems that it can already be said of us, "Eyes have they, but they see not."
As we were nearing our destination, I felt loath to leave the room in which I had spent so many hours in prayer, and with my Bible, and where others had prayed with me. Last of all my Swiss friend came and prayed in his own language, that his heart might be filled with the Spirit of God. He so much desired to be all the Lord would have him be, and instead of his life being a blank, as in the past, that he might accomplish something for God. Oh, it matters not in what language a prayer is uttered, the Lord understands and will answer the heart cry. I had prayed so much for this young man that when he came to my room to pray, I could but weep tears of joy.
I felt a real gratitude in my heart to God for his special care during that trip of five thousand miles, and also felt grateful to the Captain and crew that through tempest and calm, rain and sunshine, for their faithfulness, that we were landing in another field of service for the Master, Shanghai, China.
The empire of China is a mighty center of heathen worship, a field of conquest and victory. We felt like stepping softly where the martyred blood had so recently been shed, and more of earth had joined the first martyr, Stephen, whose face shone like an angel. The people could cover his head with stones, but could not erase the shine of beauty placed upon his face by the Divine Hand, for his faithful service. The eyes of the Christian world had been turned upon that field because of the awful tragedy, and with sinking hearts, asking, what could be done. We must arise! Is any life blood too good to be spilled on the field? The fidelity of those martyrs have doubtless sent new life to many fainting hearts, many sparks have been fanned into flame as they have read of the last words and acts of these heroes and heroines, who were willing to die with Christ, but could not live without Him. May the noble service rendered by those who have fallen be continued by others whose lives are pure and holy. My prayer was that many who heard of those martyrs would say, "Here am I, send me," and that the vacant places would be filled by blood-bought, blood-washed, Holy-Ghost-filled men and women, who will follow the Master on to victory whithersoever He goeth. It is said that as many were martyred in China within twelve months as had been martyred in all the world in the last two hundred and fifty years, but He giveth us the victory, and we are more than conquerors through Jesus' blood. Oh, China, there is hope for thee in the blood of Calvary! May God grant that very soon the land that is now in midnight darkness may soon be illumined by the Sun of Righteousness that shall shine over the whole empire, and that this great nation, with all its possibilities, may be brought to the feet of Jesus and receive a crown of victory from Him who has loved us and bought us with His own precious blood.
A missionary in China came to meet us and we spent the evening in his home, talked over the wonderful love of God, read our Bibles and prayed, and I talked on the leading of the Holy Ghost, then returned to the ship in a jinrikisha, which is pulled along by a man instead of a horse.
Had a blessed stay in China. Souls were saved and sanctified, for which we praise God. It was a pleasant surprise to get to see the missionaries and spend an evening with them. We found sweet surprise all along the way, and the presence of Jesus was so real, it seemed that I could see Him as He died on Calvary to save us from our sins.
Upon landing on Chinese soil, we were greeted by a smiling set of natives, and we found more life and energy in China than India. All seemed to get at least one piece of our baggage, which was sometimes taken in a wheelbarrow, or by a coolie with a bamboo pole, and rope, placing something on each end of the pole and tying it on with the rope. They placed it upon their shoulders and started off in a Chinese trot, as if they had won a special victory, or was better than his fellow countrymen who did not get the job. This was new and novel, and we had to keep along and watch our baggage, or it would have been taken to some hotel or somewhere else, and we might never have got ten it again. The Chinese are odd in their customs. It is sometimes amusing to see the disposition they made of the queue. They sometimes wrap it around the head, sometimes around the arm, and sometimes it hangs down the back. Their dress is more neat and becoming than that of the natives of India.
When I went on the steamer, I was met by a Chinaman who could speak English and he showed me my room, and the steamer pulled out, but it had not gone far when the engines played out and we had to anchor for about eight hours waiting for another steamer, which took us to Yanking.
The cities of China so steeped and paralyzed under the power of idolatry are beginning to feel the burden. We know her only hope is in God. He is her only salvation, and the martyr's blood ought to deepen the desire to see her saved, by those who survived, and ought to cause many to live for her salvation, which was the object of them who died.
Upon my arrival at Yanking, I heard that others had been there to meet me, but as we were delayed, they had returned home. I went ashore and had a coolie to carry my baggage. got in one jinrikisha and had my baggage placed in another, and started for the Friends' Mission, a distance of five miles. It was then late, and we had to be through the gates of Yanking by a certain hour or they were closed and a government seal placed on them, and the penalty of breaking that seal was death. A heavy storm came up, I had never seen such flashes of lightning, or seldom heard such peals of thunder, and after winding in and out through the narrow streets, not knowing where they were taking me, as I could not speak to the coolies, but I prayed and they pulled and we arrived in the city just before the gate was closed, and it was still some distance to the mission. They pulled me around through the city for an hour or so, and I began to feel that we ought to be at our destination. The storm was still increasing, and all I could do was pray and believe that God would deliver me. It came to me to speak, though I knew I would not be understood, did not know a word of Chinese, so I used a Hindu word, which means "go quickly," but meant nothing to the Chinese, but just as I spoke a couple of missionaries hurrying across the path and hearing it, said, "That is the voice of a stranger," and stopped the coolies. The missionaries could not get the men to tell them where they were taking me, but the Lord sent them along to deliver me. Truly, "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them."
We found our way to the mission and received a hearty welcome and felt very much at home. Praise the Lord! After arriving at the mission, the rain just poured, and I hoped that this would be the beginning of "showers of blessing" for the people of those walled cities, not filled with giants, but with Chinese, poor lost souls, whom Jesus died to save.
The condition in which these people are found demands Divine assistance. Nothing short of that will reach and supply the need which is an imperative one, and must be met. I was much impressed with the manner and behavior of the Chinese. Aside from their curiosity, they were very kind and courteous, and will offer some of their food when they partake of the same, and are happy and joyful about all their work. Chinese in their own country seem different from Chinese in our country, I like them at home better, as they seem to get along with each other, except a little hair pulling at times over who shall get the traveler and his baggage, etc., in which the best man wins. Then the difficulty is all over and the others stand about laughing. The Chinese seem to be more willing to work than the Hindus. They want to take you to your destination as quickly as possible so that they may get their pay. They took me through some narrow streets and dark places, and I was thankful when I was safe in the mission. The next morning I met the one who hauled me into the city, and we exchanged greetings by smiling at each other, that was all we could do, and I said from my heart, "God bless him and save him."
The second morning, after a good night's rest, Wilbur Estes and I started on a journey of twenty-five miles, Wilbur on a donkey and I in a chair with five coolies. A foreigner was a queer sight to them, and we were under inspection all day by the natives. Whenever we stopped, they asked many questions about me and my clothes. At one place they wanted me to take my shoes off so they could see how they were put on. They surrounded us when we stopped, grandfather, grandmother, children and grandchildren. It was a great sight, and one that touched our hearts, and we bowed our heads and prayed. They were like sheep without a shepherd, and it seemed such a wonderful opportunity to preach the Gospel. A voice is speaking, "Whom shall we send? Who will go for us?", and many will answer the voice and obey the call of God.
We came down to the river and went across on a Chinese junk. It shook us up some, but did not last. Then I again was seated in my chair and our journey continued, over smooth and rough places, through mud and water, and after going a short distance we came to a stream. There was a fishing boat near, and we were all taken across in it, and we continued about as before, and with about the same speed. After awhile we came to a Chinese road, which is a narrow path for donkeys, wheelbarrows and footmen, no wheeled carts can go there. The coolies stopped and took some tea, the natives gathered around us with smiling faces, as much as to say, "Who are you, and for what have you come?" I could talk only through Mr. Estes, but this was a source of relief both to me and to them, as I was many miles away from any other white person. It was one of those beautiful June days, that needs no description. The natives were in their fields sowing rice. This is their main food, and some were cutting, binding and stacking their wheat, which was good in quantity and quality. Others were preparing 'the ground for another crop, the first being taken off. The women work the same as the men, and the children can be seen with a bowl of rice and chopsticks, and the older people with their opium pipes. All along the road for many miles can be seen temples where the people burn incense to their heathen gods, that they may have good crops.
About half past six in the evening we arrived at Lu Hoh, and were taken in through a small gate to the Friends' Mission, under the charge of Wilbur and Julia Estes. Mrs. Estes had been waiting some hours for our arrival, and she had been the only white person in a city of seventy-five thousand inhabitants. This is a foreign mission.
The first Sunday in China, the rain may have decreased the attendance, but did not have that effect on the blessing, for we had a good meeting. A man whose wife had died a few days before was present with five children. She was a Christian, and died happy, and it had a good effect on the surrounding community. She said she saw Jesus coming for her. It was the first Christian funeral there. They had some songs, then Mr. Estes spoke. The service was conducted in Chinese, and I could not understand a word, but could feel the Spirit. It is wonderful that if we go to the uttermost part of the earth, God is there, and we can worship Him in spirit and in truth. After Mr. Ester had spoken, I followed, telling them of some scenes in Palestine, and that it was my privilege to see those places where Jesus lived, walked, talked, suffered and died. They listened attentively, although it was slow work speaking through an interpreter.
I had then had the Holy Ghost for nine years, but I had never felt such a weight of glory as on that day, as we talked of the past, and how He had led us to victory through Jesus. They were preparing for a feast, but I was having a feast in my soul. I wish they knew the soul feast that is for all, that does not come just once a year, but lasts all the time. All, rich and poor alike, are welcome to it; the learned and the ignorant, the young and the old, all may come. How blessed to see those missionaries carrying out the great commission, and taking the message of salvation to those needy souls. Yet there is room for more. They are so needy, and yet seem to be unconscious of it. Some received the message, and unto them it is the "power of God unto salvation." This is the work that was on the heart of the Son of God, and ought to be on more hearts today than it is. Somebody is responsible for them -- 400,000,000 of Chinese alone, without the Gospel.
On my arrival at the mission, I was shown to my room which had rather odd doors and windows, but was nice and very cozy. It was all ready when I arrived, and was added to the already large numbers of places where I had been entertained, and had become so precious to me, because God was there. That was also a place of rest and prayer. He had taken away every care, and I had been looking forward to that time and place with great anticipation. It was beyond my expectation, and already the presence of the Holy Ghost was even more precious than ever. He gave such sweet confirmation to human obedience, and the glory increased more and more as we had real heart talks about God and His wonderful leadings, without a plan of our own or any arrangements being made. The Divine hand is precious in its touch and clear in its painting, and while it cannot be explained, it can be obeyed. How precious to follow Jesus all the way and to feel we are laborers together with God. Glory! What a blessed communion we had there, shut in from the world. It seems that God was yet unknown in the missionary field as He should be known, that there were possibilities and powers to be utilized that had never been brought to bear on the heathen land, and hidden forces and resources at our command of which we had never dreamed. It is God's thought for us to go on and possess the land, for it is ours by promise, and it should become ours by possession. We are all well able to take our possession, and we should advance on disputed territory and set up our banners in the name of the Lord.
Faith has yet to be tested in its ability to take an onward march, overcoming every difficulty, and answering every question. She is equal to every emergency, and found in the home or foreign field. One must have a living faith to meet this world that is dead in trespasses and sin; a faith that sees the unseen which lives in the unknown; that is not dependent on man, but finds its beginning and continuation and its end in God, the eternal One, and is unexplained by the reasoning of all minds. There must be something about our lives that no one understands, something that will close the mouth and tie the tongue of the gainsaying that will put the carnal mind to confusion, and defeat the devil in all his plans. It is the faith of the Son of God, given by the Holy Ghost, that is needed in this land and will be honored all over the world in the salvation of the heathen.
The customs of China are very different from those of our country, and usually just opposite to ours. In the manner of the burial of the dead, for instance, they often place the coffin on the top of the ground, sometimes coveting it and at other times leaving it uncovered. And when a son wishes to give his father a present that will be much appreciated, he gives him a coffin, which is placed somewhere about the house until it is needed, then he is prepared for sudden death, at least so far as the coffin is concerned, and I am told that is one of the main things with them.
A Christian funeral was conducted here which was a real object lesson. There was speaking and singing at that funeral. A grave about six feet deep was dug. The way the whole service was conducted was a great surprise to the Chinese, and made a great impression upon all who attended, and we hoped it would be the means of the salvation of souls, and thus a blessing. Praise the Lord! After the funeral was over, the natives circulated the story that the eyes and heart of the deceased had been taken out. They are very superstitious, and these things are in the way of reaching them with the Gospel, as they seem to think they will suffer if they accept it, instead of being blessed by it, and only the Holy Ghost can convince and convict and save these host souls. The work must be of God. Lord, we will obey thy voice, Thy way is our choice. Glory!
China's mineral wealth is undeveloped, as they believe that the good spirit placed the gold under the ground, and if they rob him of it, they will lose in some other way, as a penalty for their theft. Much of their money is spent for opium, which is the chief cause of poverty and destitution.
I was told that the Confucius Temple has the roof turned up at the corners to keep the devil from coming down into the temple, as they think he can go on straight places, and in building houses they do not set them in straight lines as we do, but irregular, as they say the devil goes in straight lines.
Miss Holmes who began the work there was at that time in America on a furlough, and they have a man who has charge of the gate, a cook, a Bible woman, a woman who does the housework, and the Chinese teachers. They have two chapels, one for men and one for women. They have the children's meetings once a week. The mission is located on one of the main streets of the city, and the people pass to and from the country, stop for a time, and get to hear of the Bread of Life, and that if they receive it they stall never hunger. This is the way to "preach the Gospel to every creature." Many hearts in this way hear for the first time of Jesus. May God continually bless the messages given from that place, and send the rays of Gospel light far and near to those who sit in heathen darkness. A splendid work is being done there.
The people had been making great preparation for their annual feast, the "Dragon Festival," and the whole city seemed to be in an uproar and confusion, and the "dragon" was exalted and every one bowing to him. What a contrast to the words of Jesus, when He said, "Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that I am Lord of lords," to the glory of God the Father. God hasten the day! The feast day, or so-called "dragon day" is something like our Fourth of July. Fireworks are heard from early morning. The Chinese like a great deal of noise, and know how to make it too. I cannot describe it. It must be heard, and even if you hear it, you are ignorant of its meaning. They have three special feasts each year. They make these periods times of settlement of debts. This teaches us a good lesson. A good Chinese must pay his debts. He does not need Christianity to teach him that. All business stops at this time, and they make great preparation for the feast. It is looked forward to by all classes. We remained in our room, but heard so much noise that we were glad when it was over. Their main preparation is in dress. Fine colors are a great delight. All seemed to be ready, although it had been raining more than a week. The next feast is at the New Year, when all old accounts must be settled, and men may be seen late at night with their Chinese lanterns, coming after people and also paying out money, that they may go into the New Year without any encumbrance by debt, and those who do not settle things in the old year are not trusted in the New Year. This is also an object lesson.
When we see the condition of heathendom and how the people are bound by such tradition and in such deep need, and do not even know to cry to God for a supply, we do not wonder that Jesus Christ sweat great drops of blood as it were, which fell to the ground. No wonder His aching heart was broken for the sins of the world. Oh, Gethsemane meant much to this lost world!
The coming of the mail to a foreign missionary station is an anxiously looked for event, especially when one is thousands of miles away from home and friends, and twenty-five miles from any post office, it taking one day to go, and another to return, in order to get in touch with the outside world. How anxiously they wait for the latest news! And wonder if their letters bring news of disappointment or happiness, sorrows or joys of their friends and loved ones. A man is secured for the journey and paid ten cents in silver, or five cents in gold, and two days for the trip. In America we would think that poor pay, but there they are proud of it, and are satisfied. He comes in the morning with his bamboo pole and baskets and starts on his way at an early hour in order to be able to return next day. Sometimes he is detained and does not return until the third day, but if he should stay on his own accord, he receives pay for two days only. The evening passes very slowly the day the mail is to arrive, and we begin to wonder if the man got across the river all right, and whether there was any mail for us, or if the foreign mail had been detained by any plague cases on shipboard, and many other things come to our minds, but they all vanish like mist before the sun when his arrival is announced. He is a much-looked-for man, though soon forgotten after the mail is received, and you again feel you are in the land of the living, as none of the letters date back more than a month. You are again in touch with home and friends, telling of their faith and prayer for you, which makes you feel one of them, and that the Holy Ghost will lead on to victory all over the world. "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof, and the world and they that dwell therein, and He careth for all."
The meeting that night was a blessed one. We had gathered fur the regular mid-week meeting at the mission. It was rainy, but was a time of special blessing. Mrs. Estes led the meeting, singing and reading; then she talked awhile and asked me to speak, which I was glad to do. It was a great privilege to witness to those hungry souls. After talking to them awhile, I asked them to receive the Holy Ghost, and I shall never forget the first one who came to the altar. She was the Bible woman of the mission, a mother with her babe in her arms. She goes about from home to home with her Bible and reads and prays with the people. The next who came was the evangelist, a man who goes from village to village, sometimes alone, and sometimes with a missionary, preaching the Gospel and distributing tracts and doing all he can to get people to become Christians -- "Line upon line and precept upon precept." Then the woman who does the housework came. She is not quite so bright, but believes for all things, and certainly Divine wisdom makes up for human ignorance, and I believe that God will give her the desire of her heart. The man who had lost his wife, and been left with the five little children, came next. He surely needed the Comforter, for no one can comfort like Him. Jesus sent Him to take the place of all, and He surely does it. Glory to His name! It was such a great and precious privilege to pray for and with these souls, and on the following morning to hear the three testimonies, some one interpreting their words. I could see the Divine light on their faces. They seemed so happy and contented, their testimonies being to that effect. My faith was brighter and my heart was lighter than ever before. It was the work of the Holy Ghost, and it was marvelous. I want to know Divine possibility in human emergency. It is simply wonderful.
It had been a blessed week, but the time came for us to go, and we left Lu Hoh. Mrs. Estes was taken sick, and they persuaded her to go to Yanking. We left in a procession, four donkeys and one chair; Mr. Estes on one donkey, the Bible woman on another, I on another, and still another carrying our baggage. It was rather cloudy in the morning, and we must have been a great sight, as all the people were at their doors looking at the foreigners leaving town for the summer. Mrs. Estes was in the chair, carried by the four coolies, who headed the procession, and we fell in line, continuing on our journey, stopping only for our men to have a smoke and some food, which they desire often; and we were helpless and had to wait their time. One cannot have his own way in China, especially when dependent on the native brethren for passage.
