WESTERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE

September 13, 1876

BY REV. A. STRITMATTER

I write from the town of Shui Chang, which has hitherto filled so conspicuous a place in the history of our mission. Twice did the missionaries attempt to open a chapel in the place, and twice were they driven away by an infuriated mob. An appeal to the local authorities was without avail and the case was referred for final adjustment to "the powers that be" at Peking. After many months of waiting, the authorities received explicit instructions from the Tsung Li Yamun (Court of General Supervision) to make reparation for the losses sustained by the mission, and to permit the occupation of the place for preaching purposes. Thus a chapel was opened at last, and for three months the Gospel has been preached in the town, and hundreds of people have listened quietly to its message. It may be a doubtful question how far the missionary is justified, even in the most serious cases, in appealing to the secular arm for assistance in opening chapels in the interior, but there is no other method of teaching the Chinese to respect the treaty rights which they have granted to foreigners. Wherever any opposition has been manifested, it has been due, almost invariably, to the influence of a few arrogant literati; and when these have been made to feel the weight of civilized authority there have been no further disturbances on the part of the people.

No part of China which I have visited possesses such attractions of natural scenery as that from which I am writing. The town is situated in a broad, beautiful, fertile valley, through which meanders a deep though narrow river, at this season swelled almost to overflowing by continued rains. There is a tropical luxuriance of foliage in the surrounding country. At a distance of a few miles on each side rise a number of lofty hills, green to the very summit, and sometimes terraced to a considerable height by the industrious natives. In the valley, scarcely a square rod of ground is left uncultivated; and the dense little copses of trees and bushes left standing here and there bear evidence to the exuberant natural fertility of the soil. In this lovely and thrifty valley, where Nature has scattered her profusion of gifts with a lavish hand, "only man is vile." From a beautiful little grove of trees, close by, rises the tiled roof and peaked cornices of an old Buddhist temple; and on the opposite bank of the river, occupying a still lovelier site, stands another heathen fane, belonging to the Taoist sect. Scattered all over the country are little shrines for propitiating the local deities; and in every house ascends daily the incense offered to idols, or ancestral tablets.

The town contains a population of several thousand inhabitants, and there are said to be fifty or sixty opium shops on the streets. No opposition was manifested by the people to the first introduction of the pernicious foreign drug; but when foreigners came, bringing the Gospel with its train of healing virtues, the blinded and deluded mob rose in fierce resistance. Truly Satan triumphs in his dominion over the heathen. Since our chapel has been opened, we have been suffered to preach without molestation; and the

people who come in to listen are respectful and orderly in their behavior. On the streets, however, we frequently meet with men whose malignant countenances reveal the hatred in their hearts, and who evidently look upon us as vile intruders, whom, if it were in their power, they would gladly extirpate from the earth. If we leave the unattractive streets and wander out among the green fields or along the river banks, our ears will be incessantly assailed by the cry of "foreign devil," not unfrequently coupled with other epithets equally as vile. Children, old men, women, run out from their houses as we pass, and as soon as we are at a respectful distance open out after us with a volley of abusive language, which is painfully trying to the feelings. The tone of mingled scorn and contempt with which the opprobrious epithets are often discharged, is still more insufferable; and we mentally ask ourselves how Job, with all his patience, would have endured such trials. Yet the only thing we can do is to be resigned, and we call to mind that the immaculate Savior himself was repeatedly charged by his countrymen with having a devil. Oh for the spirit of meekness with which he bore the indignities heaped upon him!

It may be asked how the Gospel can ever gain a hold on hearts which seem so full of bitter prejudice and contemptuous hate toward its messengers. We answer, that if this work were of man, it would doubtless come to nought; but who is able to fight against God? Besides, as we have never given cause to this people to hate us, so we feel, that by showing a harmless and friendly deportment in our intercourse with them, they will gradually lose their bitterness and ungrounded hostility, and be won over to the truth. Indeed, although so short a time has elapsed since the Gospel began to be preached among them yet it would appear that good impressions have already been made. Two or three men have expressed a desire to embrace Christianity, and have given us their names as probationers. In any other place and under any other circumstances, we might have doubted their sincerity; but they have taken this step in a place which has long been noted for its violent opposition to foreigners, and where those who are known or suspected of being in sympathy with them must come in for a large share of scorn and abuse. Would they willingly endure all this, and without any prospect of pecuniary advantage to themselves (which is too often the motive that draws natives into our Church) unless their hearts had in some way been affected by the truth?

Our chapel-keeper is a quiet, inoffensive man, who bears good-humoredly all the taunts and scoffs of his countrymen, and tries to teach them the Gospel message in its simplicity. Originally in very destitute circumstances, and without educational advantages, he shows a very studious disposition, and is almost invariably found seated at his book-table with a New Testament and Commentary before him. His wife, a very pleasant little woman, is also learning to read under his direction, and has already gone through the Catechism, preparatory to beginning the Gospels. Pray for our work in this beautiful but benighted valley.

Shui Chang, June 22, 1876