West of the River

Southward to P’ing-yang the travellers journeyed, while the blessing of those days was carried by the returning Christians to many a village homestead far and near. Mr. Taylor’s visit was drawing to a close; but there was one place he felt that he must see before leaving the province, and to Hsi’s delight he accepted an urgent invitation to spend a Sunday in his home.

But first another conference had to be held in the southern city, to meet the Christians of that neighbourhood and from across the river. Gathered in the old mission -house, numbers of them were already waiting, and soon the “Venerable Chief Pastor” was welcomed to the motherstation at P’ing-yang with loving enthusiasm. The earliest of all the Shan-si converts were there — men who had known David Hill; and with them a group of the most recent inquirers from the mountainous country west of the river.

Full of interest were the stories unfolded in the testimony meeting that evening when, amongst many others Ch’ii, the beloved “Greatheart” of the Ta-ning

Christians, told how he had been won to faith in Christ.

In a Buddhist temple, strange to say, he had met with Jesus. His old friend Chang, the priest, had returned to Ta-ning after a brief absence, and with hearty welcome Ch’ii called to see him. In a quiet room on one of the temple courts they sat long in friendly conversation. By and by the quick eye of the scholar detected a book of unusual appearance lying on a dusty shelf

“What have you there, elder brother?” he inquired, crossing the room to fetch it.

“Ah, that is a strange book I picked up on my journey; a foreign classic. You will not think much of it.”

But Ch’ii was interested. A student by nature as well as by training, he had early mastered all the books in common use, and after taking his degree still went on studying. There was not much to read up there among the mountains. They were off the beaten track, and intellectually the life of the little city was somewhat stagnant. But here was something new; and he scanned the pages with avidity. Old Chang smoked his pipe in peace, and went off to attend to the incense and candles he had to keep burning before the idols; but Ch’ii was lost to all else for the rest of the visit, absorbed for the first time in that wonderful Story.

It was a copy of Mark’s Gospel. And as he read — that Life, so simple, so sublime, laid hold upon his heart. Again and again he came to the temple to see his friend and study the little book, until its contents from cover to cover were riveted in his mind. But not Chang, the priest, nor any one else he had ever heard of, could tell him anything more, much as he longed to know.

Jesus the Nazarene; King of the Jews; Son of God; Friend of publicans and sinners — who could this wonderful Teacher be? What power, wisdom, love! No wonder the people cried, “He hath done all things well!” But how strangely the thing ended. He died; in darkness. And at the rising of the sun — lo. He was risen! Could that be true? And if true, when did it all happen? Where is He now? What is the Gospel? How can one “believe “? And those preachers, where can they be found?

That was the trouble. None of them seemed to have come to the western mountains. Try as he might, he could hear of no one who could explain the little book. And yet the book was there! Who had brought it? Were there any others like it? Did any society exist for the practice and propagation of its teachings? If so, he wanted to belong to it. But no clue could be found.

At length, after about a year, rumours reached him that a foreigner, an Englishman, had come to the south of the province, and was teaching in P’ingyang a religion that he called “the glad tidings about Jesus.” His name was David Hill, and he was selling books something like the little Ma-ko Chang had in the temple. How Ch’ii longed to go and see him! But P’ing-yang was three days’ journey away over the mountains, and busy with his farm and school, he could not possibly go so far.

Some months later one of his pupils had to go down for a great examination, and on returning from the city he brought with him two more foreign books that he thought would interest his teacher. Ch’ii received them eagerly, and questioned the young man as to all that he had seen and heard. But he learned nothing further about the new religion, except indeed the address at which the foreigners lived.

A year later the student went again, and this time he brought back a whole New Testament.

“I was always reading it,” said Ch’u, “though I understood but little. One thing that impressed me was that Jesus said the way to eternal life is strait and the gate narrow, and few there be that find it. ‘Alas,’ I thought, ’ time is going on. The end is coming soon. I am not in the way, and perhaps shall never be able to discover it! ‘”

Two more years passed slowly on, and at last Ch’ii could stand it no longer. Leaving everything, he made his way down to P’ing-yang, and inquired for the house of the foreigner. David Hill was gone, but Mr. Drake, seeing his visitor’s exercise of mind, urged him to stay several days and go into matters quietly. This Ch’ii gladly did. And during his visit who should come over from the Western Chang village but Hsi the Christian scholar. His help and sympathy, added to that of the missionary, soon made everything clear. And what a revelation it was!

Time fails to tell how he hastened back then over the mountains, and sought out his old friend once more; of the long talks in the Buddhist temple, and how he led Chang, the priest, to the feet of the world’s Saviour; or of the zeal and love with which together they set to work to make the Good News widely known. They suffered much persecution. But the fire in their hearts only burned the more brightly, and others began to long for the blessing that had so changed their lives.

On one occasion Ch’ii took his brother down to a quarterly meeting at P’ing-yang, the young man having also learned to know the Lord. Returning, they found the household in great trouble. Ch’ii’s only child was dangerously ill, and within a few hours after their reaching home it died. The brother sickened also. But in his brief illness, and up to the moment of his departure to be with the Lord, he said over and over with triumphant joy:

“Thank God, thank God! Jesus is indeed the Saviour of men.”

“They asked me the other day,” concluded Ch’ii, referring to more recent troubles, “whether I would recant and worship idols or no? ‘Never,’ I replied, ‘God helping me! ‘Thereupon the mandarin had me beaten most severely. He now intends to take away my degree. But I count it all as nothing 1 Jesus has greater glory in store for us than that. Truly this salvation is like being alive from the dead! We who trust in Jesus have peace that nothing can destroy.”

No wonder the Christians loved him — that warm-hearted, fearless man — and welcomed his appointment as pastor of the Ta-ning church, of which his old friend Chang was now an elder. The ordination took place at the closing meeting of the conference, when five more deacons also were appointed.

Much as they desired to carry Mr. Taylor back with them to the western mountains, time was inexorable, and a long farewell had to be said at the gates of P’ing-yang as he set out with Hsi for the Western Chang village. But although the “Venerable Chief Pastor” could not accompany them, the Ta-ning Christians were the bearers of good tidings; for had not Mr. Stevenson promised to come over shortly with Pastor Hsi — whose name they all knew and loved.

In the cool twilight of that summer evening Mr. Taylor and his party were welcomed to Hsi’s dwelling, made beautiful for their entertainment. Ta-hsinien in large characters on a red ground decorated the guest-hall: “Year of great happiness,” or “The acceptable year of the Lord.” And the lintels and side-posts of all the doorways were bright with appropriate texts and mottoes on broad strips of scarlet paper.

“Everything was most attractive, and we were treated like princes,” said Mr. Stevenson, recalling the occasion. And as to Hsi, his happiness in having the directors of the Mission under his roof was unbounded.

Many matters had to be discussed during those busy days: questions of self-support for the church, with its newly ordained pastors; of the financial basis and the extension of the Refuge work; and of the best way of spreading far and wide a knowledge of the Gospel. Uppermost in Hsi’s mind was a desire he now expressed to Mr. Taylor for a new development in one important direction. At the capital he had seen on his recent visit a phase ot missionary work that interested him deeply. For there, not only the wives of missionaries were labouring among the women and children of the city, but also young unmarried ladies, free to devote all their time to schools and evangelistic work. This was just what was needed; and ever since, he had longed and prayed for such workers in his own district. But so far none had been forthcoming.

“They are so badly needed. Now at Hoh-chau, for example”

“Ah, tell me all about Hoh-chau,” interposed Mr. Taylor. “Was not that station opened by a special gift in answer to prayer?”

“Yes,” responded Hsi. “Did the circumstance come to your knowledge, so far away?”

“Assuredly it did. And 1 praised God for the love that prompted the offering.”

Then turning to his gentle hostess, “Did you not find it difficult,” he added, “to part with all your jewellery, even the things that had been a marriage dower?”

“Oh no, not difficult,” was the immediate answer; “it was for Jesus’ sake.”

“And the work at that station,” continued her husband, “has been most encouraging. Already there are twenty men converted there. But alas, no women! Our hearts are often sad as we think of the suffering and darkness of homes all around us, and we long for missionary ladies to reach the women there, and in every city, with the love of Jesus.”

“But how can this be done?” asked Mr. Taylor. “The married missionaries are few, and all occupied in other stations.”

“Yes, we have thought of that. We could not ask that they should leave their labours. But if you, honoured sir, would trust us with the care of two or more single ladies, the problem for Hoh-chau would be solved in the happiest manner.”

“We would love them and look after them,” interposed Mrs. Hsi.” And among the women of that district they would have such an opportunity for telling of the Saviour!”

“But it is hard for young, unmarried women to leave home, and the love of parents and friends, to live alone in a Chinese city like that — contrary to the prejudices of your people as well as our own!”

“Our women would soon understand,” eagerly replied Mrs. Hsi. “Of course it would be difficult; more perhaps than we realise. But do you not think there might be found one, or even two, who for the love of Jesus would be willing; that the women of Hoh-chau might have the Gospel?”

Much moved, Mr. Taylor promised to see what could be done; and special prayer was made that the Lord would Himself choose and send before long at least two missionary ladies for that city. Prayer so graciously answered in the closing months of the year.

There was something specially hallowed about the intercourse of those hours, with their consciousness of coming separation. They were the last talks, the last prayers, the last meetings before he was to leave them — the loved friend who might never again come to Shan-si. But there was a brightness too, and enthusiasm, rarely equalled even in Hsi’s household; for Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Stanley Smith were there, and Dr. Edwards from the capital,^ as well as Pastors Song of P’ing-yang and Ch’ii from across the river.

When Sunday came, no room was large enough to hold the Christians; and the small courtyard, nicely covered with an awning, had to do duty for a chapel. Ch’ii led the morning meeting, in his own cheery way; and from that time onward, the day was crowded with interest; until as evening shadows fell, a testimony meeting drew the services to a close, with many a touching recital of the wonder-working grace of God. Oh, those stories, told with such joyous faith, such shining faces, how they moved the heart of the man who for twenty years had prayed and laboured that Inland China might have the Gospel!

But still more touching and memorable was the quiet hour of the following morning, when for the first time in the Western Chang village was commemorated the dying, never-dying love of Him who said: “This do in remembrance of me.” Summer sunshine stole into the chamber and fell upon loved heads in tender silence, as the friends so soon to be parted gathered around the table of the Lord.

Then came final preparations for the long journey, ten weeks or more, back to the coast. It was late in the afternoon when Mr. Taylor and his party set out, choosing to travel at night rather than in the dust and heat of day. Quite a company left the village with them, reluctant to say farewell. And it was not until the “Venerable Chief Pastor” would let them go no further, that they could be persuaded

Dr. Edwards had succeeded the late Dr. Schofield in charge of the’inedical work in T’ai-yiian.

to turn back. But even then Hsi would not leave him. Many thoughts were in his heart; many questions; many longings: and together, mile after mile over the silent plain, they went on.

The parting came at last. And slowly the distance widened between that solitary figure and the loved friends going from him to other scenes.

As Hsi returned alone that evening, in the twilight, he was thinking of the life God had so used and made a blessing; and thinking of his own. What changes in and around him since that other parting seven years before, when David Hill, through whom he had been led to Christ, had left him bereft indeed, at the gate of yonder city. Then he was the only Christian in his family and neighbourhood. Now — and his heart went out to all the Refuges and churches, the village gatherings and scattered Christians in the three wide districts over which he had been appointed to so sacred a charge. And that was only the beginning. What were coming days to bring?

As the moon rose over the mountains he could see village after village, wrapt in silence, where men and women were living, dying, in the dark. And just out of sight lay scores of towns and cities, and beyond them hundreds more, full of suffering and sin. Never had he felt so much before, the need, the opportunities. Never had he been so conscious of his own need — of God.

“Remember them that had the rule over you (or that are the guides) which spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same; yesterday, to-day, and for ever.”

“Jesus Christ is the same.” The same for us as for them. They pass: but He remains. What matter then the unutterable need; the loneliness; the longing? Launch out into the deep! “Jesus Christ is the same.”

•••..

Three weeks later Hsi entered upon a new phase of his life-service, when he started with Mr. Stevenson for a visitation of his wider parish; to organise the little churches and baptize fresh converts in Ch’ii’s district west of the river.

What living power there is in the Word of God, applied by the Spirit to a heart prepared for its reception! Eight years before, in that Buddhist temple, a single copy of Mark’s Gospel found a reader ready for the message. Five long years succeeded, in which the truth was germinating, slowly, in that one life. All alone amid profound spiritual darkness he accepted what he knew, the little that had come to him, and was led’ gradually into fuller light. No Christian or inquirer beside himself was to be found at that time within several days’ journey. And he had never met any one in all his life who knew or loved the Lord. But at length came the moment when, brought into touch with other believing hearts, “God’s great sunrise found him out.”

Three years only had gone by since then; but how quickly harvests appear from long-buried seed, under the warm touch of spring. Drawn by the same Spirit, thirsty souls sought the living water.

As long ago, as always — Jesus Christ could not be hid.

The Book had lain for years in that little temple, but only to one soul had it spoken the life-giving message. But as soon as there was a living, loving heart, overflowing with the joy of His great salvation, through which the Saviour could reveal Himself, that bit of concrete Gospel began to tell. For “I, if I be lifted up... will draw all men unto me.” Yes, they were drawn to Him: Chang the priest, and Ch’u’s own brother, his aged mother too, and many more, made hungry by the blessing they could see in a life just like their own. And the more these Christians lived the teachings of their Lord, rejoicing to share His cross and in spite of persecution and suffering to confess His dear name, the more that uplifted Saviour drew other hearts into His peace and joy.

And then the missionaries came. Finding a living work of God, they set themselves to nurture and develop it. And so the blessing spread; until Mr. Stevenson and Hsi had to journey over the mountains, to establish settled churches and baptize many believers who had never been able to travel as far as to P’ing-yang.

How the Truth had found its way to many a heart in these remote cities and hamlets we must not now attempt to trace; nor how the travellers, fording streams and climbing mountain passes, journeyed from day to day through that lovely, lonely region, rejoicing in the manifest working of God. At Ta-ning, the first city reached after three days’ climb over the watershed, they found a deeply interesting work in progress, and stayed in the mission-house where Mr. Cassels had so endeared himself to the people that strong men wept like children when he left them for a more needy sphere. Gathering up the Christians and applicants for baptism, they went on westward to Ch’ii’s home in a steep narrow valley, through which the mountain torrent, swollen by recent rains, foamed its way, a racing cataract, down to the Yellow River.

There a welcome awaited them such as only Christians who meet once in a lifetime, amid the dense darkness of heathenism, know how to give. It was the first time Hsi had visited the district, and was he not their own “Shepherd” in a special sense? It was the first gathering in which Ch’u was present as their newly appointed pastor; and their first introduction to missionaries well known by name and loved for their work’s sake. And then those days were to witness the inauguration of the Ta-ning church and the first baptisms west of the Fen River. They were days of persecution too; and a solemn sense rested on all hearts of the possibility and privilege of fellowship with the Lord Jesus in His sufferings, even unto death.

So the blessing and solemnity of those hours in Ch’ii’s home among the mountains cannot be expressed. Such experiences are among the rich compensations of the missionary’s lot and have to be purchased, it may be at a cost, before they can be known. Wonderful was it to feel the love and joy that made all hearts one; to hear the testimonies of those simple, earnest men and women who had really been delivered from the power of Satan and

I. A CHINESE TEMPLE. 2. THE TA-NING MISSION HOUSE.

3. THE TA-NING CHAPEL. Page 199.

Pictures 2 and 3 show the buildings after they had been partially destroyed by the Boxers. The old man with the beard, near the centre of both pictures, is Pastor Chang, the ex-Buddhist priest brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God; and to join in the prayers and praises that made that crowded cave-room, dug out of a mud cliff, far in the heart of China, seem like a gate of heaven. The flickering lamps burned dim, and the hours sped one by one, till midnight gave place to early dawn, and yet the meetings could hardly be drawn to a close.

But even more heart-rejoicing were the scenes of the next day when, amid a crowd of heathen villagers awed to silence, nineteen men and women confessed their faith in Christ by baptism, while the encompassing hills resounded with praise to God; and again in Ch’ii’s home at eventide, when that little company of believers united for the first time around the table of the Lord, and He was known to them, as long ago, in the breaking of bread.

It was hard to leave such opportunities, and to part from those who responded so eagerly to spiritual help and teaching. But Ch’U was remaining with them; and the work begun by the Holy Spirit would not lack His constant care. How much there will be to talk over in the home with many mansions, when they all meet again to tell of His faithfulness who led them safely to the end, even through the dark hours in which some of the Ta-ning Christians won the martyr’s crown.

Up and up the travellers journeyed, following the course of a mountain stream through green and lovely valleys that took them three days’ journey northward from Ch’ii’s village to another district visited by divine blessing through his instrumentality.

It was a lonely hamlet. And evening shadows had fallen, when, after a long climb, the strangers drew near. But they were not unannounced. For the first signs of their approach had roused the village watch-dogs in all directions; and before they could reach the homes of the Christians, doors were thrown open and friendly voices called them in from the gathering gloom. And what a welcome it was! A large cave-room was put at their disposal; hot water and “tea” were soon provided; and while they were making friends with the neighbours who crowded in, supper was quickly prepared, the Christians vying with each other in contributing such simple luxuries as their homes could afford.

Next day was Sunday, a red-letter day indeed. Never had such meetings been known in Tao-hsiang, where the Christians had only once seen a missionary, and he a new arrival who could not speak much of the language. Now there were three foreign and two native pastors. Hardly had they realised the Church of Christ to be so august an assembly before!

And in that lonely hamlet the missionaries were deeply touched to find such faith and love. Many of the inquirers were anxious to be baptized, and their answers to the questions put by Mr. Stevenson were most interesting. When it was pointed out to them that faithfulness to Christ would surely involve persecution, and might even mean laying down life itself, one and another eagerly responded, “Rather would we die than part with Jesus!” And, as time proved, it was no empty boast.

That afternoon a quiet place was found where

West of the River aoi

the mountain stream ran still and deep, and there, on a little stretch of green sward, they knelt together under the open sky. It was the first baptismal service the villagers had ever witnessed; and six women were among the number who professed their faith in Christ.

But there were no onlookers in the last sacred hour. Then, shut in together by the quiet night as in some Upper Room, they held their first Communion to remember Him whom not having seen they loved. Hsi and Ch’ii led the meeting; and some present who had been in many services numbering thousands, thought they had never witnessed one more impressive and heart-moving.

And there next day the travellers parted: Mr. Stevenson to go northward to the capital of the province and thence to the coast, Ch’ii to remain among his scattered flock in the mountains, and Hsi to return with Mr. Stanley Smith across the river to their own work in the south and east of the province.

Autumn was coming on, and much remained to be done in preparation for the winter. They were going back to new conditions full of promise.

Mr. Hoste was already at Hung-tung waiting their arrival; and two lady missionaries were on their way from the coast, to settle among the women of Hoh-chau. All over the district work seemed to be opening up. Scores of people, influenced through the Refuges, were asking for baptism. Hsi’s helpers in all departments were becoming more experienced and dependable. And the conferences of the summer had left the Christians eager for coming blessing.