16 - Chapter 16

Chapter 16 - After the Conferences by Stanley P. Smith

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Sih-Chau, September 1st.―Mr. Stevenson and I started with Mr. Hsi on August 23rd, intending to take the following route. From Hung-t’ung to Ta-ning, thence to Sang-goh, and then on to Hiao-i by way of Sih-cahu; at Hiao-i Mr. Stevenson had to leave us and go north to T’ai-yüen, en route for Shanghai, and Mr. Hsi and myself to return to Hung-t’ung by way of Hoh-chau and Chao-ch’eng, then on for a short visit to Yoh-yang and back. In these three last places, Hoh-chau, Chao-ch’eng, and Youh-yang (all in my parish), there are believers and opium refuges.

Leaving Hung-t’ung on the 23rd we came in three days to Ta-ning Hien; the country between these two places is of high altitude, the oak-tree being met with, and grass, oats, and potatoes much grown; we were much reminded of England in seeing cattle and sheep in this pasture land. A good part of the way was through a wild mountain pass, the rocks being very bold and grand, and a mountain torrent adding much to its beauty. Ta-ning Hien is a very small place surrounded by high hills, but though so “little” it is, it would seem, destined, as Bethlehem, to be an important center in God’s work. The house is of a comfortable size, and most admirably adapted for mission work.

Mr. Cassels was in this place for four months, and in that short time, with God’s blessing, he had not only been instrumental in leading souls to Christ, but of endearing himself very deeply in the hearts of the people—both Christians and heathen. One young man, who was baptized during our visit, himself brought to the Lord by means of Mr. Cassels, told me how when Mr. Cassels went away they all wept. The second day at Ta-ning, some of us went out on the street, for there is only one worth the name in this very small country town, while Mr. Stevenson examined the inquirers. It was delightful to hear Mr. Hsi and Mr. Ch’u, both scholars preaching in the streets, and so evidently with the joy and reality of the Gospel in their hearts, and that, too (in Mr. Chi’u’s case), in the very town where not long ago he had been beaten for not worshipping idols.

Sang-Goh. The next day (Saturday) we started, including Mr. Ch’ü, Mr. Chang, the native elder, and some other Church members, for Mr. Ch’ü’s house, distant some forty li. It had poured in torrents during the night, and as this whole district is composed of precipitous hills, which drain very quickly, the river, along which was the “path” to Mr. Ch’ü’s village, was swollen into a roaring cataract, racing down to the equally intractable Yellow River, which last is distant only ten miles from Sang-goh. This made the journey a little longer, and in two places we had to wade, not indeed through the main current, but through some side slack water. In this we were very much more fortunate than the day before reaching Ta-ning; on that day we had to cross the river thirty times, those who were not on beasts wading, the river being low.

We arrived at Mr. Ch’u’s house in the village of Sang-goh about three o’clock in the afternoon. The first thing that struck the eye as one entered the gate, was a memorial tablet given to his grandfather by grateful patients as a tribute to his medical skill. Entering the courtyard, which is about fifteen yards square, one is struck by the regular, stone-faced “caves;” they are on three sides of the square, the fourth side being a wall, and are ten in number, in shape like a small railway tunnel, and go back some twenty feet or more into the soil. We soon gathered with some of the Church members and had prayer and praise. Food was then served. Afterwards the greater part went down towards the river’s side to see if there was a suitable place for baptism. A most admirable baptistry was soon found, deep enough for our purposes, and in the evening all returned, looking forward to an outpouring of the Spirit of God on the morrow. That evening we had an address by Mr. Hsi, after which there was a public examination of the baptismal candidates by Mr. Stevenson, which continued till past midnight. I have already mentioned the state of the river; Mr. Ch’ü’s house is close to it; there are converts in villages on both sides scattered along the valley. As some could not come, owing to the river, on Saturday, some Church members were sent off early on Sunday morning to bring them on donkeys.

BAPTISM OF NINETEEN CONVERTS. The first service was taken by Mr. Hsi and Mr. Key. After a little interval, Mr. Stevenson gave an admirable address on “Confession with the Mouth,” and during that address, not only with his mouth, but with face full of the joy of the Lord, he bore witness to Jesus. The address over, Mr. Stevenson further examined the candidates; their examination was no light test of sincerity. In view of the persecution which there has been in this district, they were well forewarned before taking the step of baptism, and many in answer to the question replied they would sooner part with life, if need be, than Jesus. We then had a meeting of Church officers and members to approve of the selected candidates; they were all, to the number of nineteen, held to be fit for baptism—twelve of them being men, the rest women.

Dinner being over, the male candidates walked down in a procession, singing hymns, amongst which were the well-known “Jesus loves me,” and “When He cometh.” The baptismal service was interspersed with plenty of singing, and two short addresses by Mr. Hsi. Although the village of Sang-goh is small, only consisting of twenty families, there were very nearly 100 onlookers. Most reverent were they, too, nor was there the slightest interruption. Very impressive and deeply blessed it was to make those hills resound with praises to the one true God, our Heavenly Father, and then to see those nineteen publicly profess their faith in Jesus, His only begotten Son, in the rite of baptism. They were baptized by Mr. Stevenson. The service at the riverside over, we all returned to Mr. Ch’ü’s, where we had a further meeting, which I took. In the evening we had the Lord’s Supper, led by the two native pastors, Mr. Hsi and Mr. Ch’ü, after which the meeting was protracted till past 11 p.m. Mr. Ch’ü’s address was very much to the point, urging us all, especially those newly baptized, never to forget Christ crucified. Thus ended a most happy Sabbath. On the Monday morning, Mr. Hsi spoke most helpfully on John 13:1-38, showing us that the Lord washing His disciples’ feet must be the spirit that must always energize us if we would win souls to Christ and serve God. Mr. Stevenson then shortly exhorted the new Church members, and commended them to God in prayer. Our stay at Mr. Ch’ü’s, though so short, was delightful. There was such an absence of formality, such natural friendliness; one felt quite the home feeling that should always be present when Christians meet. There were plenty of little children, too, romping about between times, blind man’s buff being attempted once with them, to the amusement of young and old. Mr. Ch’ü was most lavish in his hospitality; nothing seemed too good for us, any trouble too great. Knowing we English were meat eaters, nothing would do but to have a young goat brought in and killed for us—killed in the courtyard, as of old in England. It was quite hard to leave them. Mr. Ch’ü’s mother, on being reminded of steadfastness, said at once, “No, my love for Jesus shall never change.” This old lady (amongst those who received baptism) has a beautiful face, beaming with the peace and joy that is within. Mr. Ch’ü’s wife, alas! Does not yet believe; she cannot get over her husband suffering persecution. Please pray for her. On the return to Ta-ning, Mr. Stevenson paid a visit to a little village where Mr. Cassels had stayed for a short time. He found there several inquirers, and was deeply touched, at a small service he held, on hearing these simple folk, including men, women, and children, joining in the Lord’s Prayer. Yesterday, coming here, we were caught in the rain, so we stopped here for one day; in the afternoon it cleared up, and Mr. Hsi, Mr. Ch’ü and myself went out in the main street, and had a single file procession, singing “Jesus loves me.” This drew a gathering of about 50; we all three then spoke in turn, the people listening most attentively. We came home praising the Lord for His goodness.