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Brother X:
I left Tsinan the day you came to Hankow. I did not receive this news until I arrived in Hong Kong. I had to go to Canton for my passport, and after I returned from Canton to Hong Kong, I was sick for over ten days. This is the reason I did not write to you to relate everything to you sooner. I apologize and regret this very much! After we left Hong Kong, we had a peaceful journey and did not suffer any loss at Haiphong. Thank the Lord! My whole family, together with Sister Chen Hwei-sien and Brother Ma Mu, waited for our visas for five or six days in Ho-Kou. My family and Sister Chen arrived safely in K'un-ming on November 4. The Chou brothers are British subjects and were able to arrive a few days earlier. Brother Ma is still in Ho-Kou. A letter of certification has been sent, and perhaps he will be in K'un-ming by the ninth. Brother Hu Yi-min is still here. He does not want to remain here any longer; he will return home soon. My family wants to go with Brother Hu. I hope that I will see you so that I can be instructed concerning my future and the way I should carry out the work. I wonder when you will come? I hope very much that you will inform me soon.
I came to Yunnan this time because I need the help from Brother Hu. Moreover, I see clearly that my family should reside at Yeh-Ji where Brother Hu's family is. Brother Hu and I can then go ahead into Sikang and work there. Presently, I think we should establish a base at Yeh-Ji and move out from there. Later, if brothers and sisters come to work at Sikang or Tibet, they will find it less unpleasant, and they can work with peace of heart. Therefore, I shall go into Sikang from Yunnan. Going from Szechuan would mean greater hardship. Going from Ch'eng-tu to Ba-Tang would take more than a month. The trip would be inconvenient, and the expense would be more than what is required to go from Yunnan. Furthermore, both the people and the geography of Sikang are unfamiliar to me. Verbal communication will be difficult, and it will take a while to actually enter in. Therefore, I have to travel with Brother Hu so that I can learn Tibetan before I labor in Sikang. It has been very clear to me that the Lord has given me a great burden to work in Sikang and Tibet. But I am very weak. I feel incapable of bearing so great a burden and am not worthy of such a task. But the Lord has been dealing with me for a year and caused me to count the cost. I am truly a slow obeyer. May the Lord enable me to be more obedient to Him. Now I only know that as He calls, I will go. I do not know anything else and continue to look unto Him. If you come to Yunnan, Brother Hu Yi-min has requested that you purchase and bring two irons (for ironing clothes).
Everything is fine here, even though the catastrophe inflicted upon the nation has sent many people here. The cost of living has risen three or fourfold, and it is not easy to rent a dwelling. The Lord's more abundant grace is indeed needed so that He may receive the glory. The brothers and sisters and Brother Weigh's whole household are fine. Please do not worry. Please greet Sister Lee and Sister Chang. I shall stop my pen here. Peace be to you.
Your brother,Jung-jiehNovember 7, K'un-ming
Brother X:
Both of your letters have been received, and I have been well informed of everything. Brother Hsu (with family), Brother Hu, and Brother Ma (who went there for business — Editor) departed on the fourteenth of this month for their first trip to Yeh-Ji. Yesterday I received their letter from Shakwang (the last bus stop), reporting that they had been safely led by the Lord all the way. Soon they should go on to Yeh-Ji. The Lord has started the good work Himself, and people have been saved into the Lord's name in the church here. Ever since I came to Yunnan, I have separated my personal life and work from the work of the local church. Every Lord's Day afternoon I preach the gospel at the Women's and Children's Hospital. The local church preaches the gospel every Wednesday evening. The director of the hospital has allowed us to use his facility for gospel preaching. Now the assembly has rented an appropriate place for the meetings, involving a monthly rent of twenty-five dollars and a security deposit of one hundred dollars. Every Thursday evening the church here conducts a Bible study meeting on the subject, "Christ and Him Crucified," and I bear much of the responsibility. In order to edify and strengthen the brothers and sisters, I plan to hold a special Bible study meeting soon. Thank the Lord for drawing a group of brothers, sisters, and sinners to hear His gospel. There were about fifty to sixty people in the Bible study and gospel meetings. Brother and Sister X have made much progress, fervently loving the Lord. The elder Brother Chou's wife has accepted Hueichen Hospital's invitation to be a resident physician there. The younger Brother Chou has not yet decided what he will do. The elder Brother Chou is doing some gospel work here for the time being; his wife is especially good in working with individuals. Brother and Sister Lin are also making progress in the grace of the Lord.
According to my latest observation, there should be a base for the work in K'un-ming. There is the real need for more workers to pioneer the work in the surrounding regions. I plan to go to the towns and villages along the railroad and highway in order to labor there next spring. Thank the Lord, I have met a young man, Mr. Chou Bao-jian, here. He studied two years at X school, and he is very much one with us. He is a native and has a gift for gospel preaching. He is very clear concerning his calling. From my many conversations with him, I know that he is a good brother. Mong-Tze is his hometown, and now he lives in K'un-ming. He often comes to the meetings. May the Lord lay hold of him. I have asked Brother Chen Ho-seng to bring you this letter. Brother Chen works with the radio in the airline company. He is a good brother and is very much acquainted with Mr. Wang Ming-dao. I very much hope that you and Sister Lee can come here to discuss how we should develop the work in the inland. Please cable me when you can come. Without further words, I greet you reverently.
Your brother,K. H. Weigh[Address omitted]
Mr. X, my brother in the Lord:
You may have already received my previous letter. May the Lord bless you according to His promise. On the fourth of November I arrived at Lo-Yuen from the Lian River. After the meeting at Lo-Yuen, the Lord willing, I shall travel to Ning-Teh, Foo-An, and Shia-Pu. In the east Fukien region, the X denomination is predominant. But if it is the Lord's will, there is hope for some building work in the future. God led me to come here to gather the building material. Although the majority of the people know my standing, the leaders have gladly received me because I have caused no turmoil in their midst. Though the eastern part of Fukien province is politically unstable, we still have the peace in the Lord to labor on. Finally, I hope for your constant supplication. In a rush; peace to you in the Lord.
Your brother,Chen Bi-yinNovember 6[Address omitted]
Dear Brother X, greatly beloved in the Lord:
May the Spirit of the Lord doubly fill you, amen. I am grateful to the Lord that in this extraordinary time of affliction in the world, we are still lying calmly beside the brook of Cherith in Christ. Hallelujah! He is ever unchanging. Though the floods overflow, He still sits as the King. Under His wings we receive every new blessing. Truly blessed and memorable is our Lord forever! Amen. Thank the Lord for leading Brother Bin-shi to pioneer the work at Fu-Ching and Dong-Jang. The Holy Spirit has confirmed the gospel preaching with signs and wonders. More than ten households already have produced fruit of repentance and burned their idols. I also went to Dong-Jang after he had worked and saw the glory of the Lord. Praise the Lord. May glory be to Him! Amen. Dong-Jang is one of the five towns of Yung-Yi, ten miles from Hong-Luh and twenty-five miles from Yung-Tai and Yi-Du. It is the beachhead for the preaching of the word and for outreach into inland regions. We have rented a house and purchased the benches. Soon there will be baptisms and the breaking of bread. This is the time for the preaching of the gospel because the Holy Spirit is still saving souls there. Thank the Lord that when we are persecuted in Jerusalem, He opens the door for the word to go out in Samaria and sets our footsteps free. Truly the Lord is returning soon. There will be a great revival in the last days. Lord, in these days may You revive Your work! Amen.
We have rented a meeting hall in Sien-You but have not yet started the breaking of bread to remember the Lord. Many are saved in Sien-You, and there should be those who will keep the Lord's name to the end. The Lord willing, we will go ahead with everything in Sien-You. Brothers Ke-san and Tse-chung are both well and serving the Lord at Pu-Tien. The coastal regions in Fukien are well. Brother Fang Shi-rong, the responsible brother in Han River, has contracted tuberculosis. Please pray for him. Please pray also for me. How is your physical health, my brother? I remember you often. May the Lord grace and bless your family (2 Cor. 12:9; Heb. 12:2 Hymn #121).
Your brother,Chen Jai-sengNovember 10[Address omitted]
Mr. X, my brother in the Lord:
It has been a few months since we parted in Canton. Recalling our discourse there and reflecting on it today, I still savor its taste. Not long after our farewell, I left Canton and arrived at Foochow via Hong Kong, Swatow, and Amoy. After a brief conversation with the brothers, I left for the city of Yung. After working there for more than a month, I left again for the co-workers' meeting in Chuanchow. I had planned to work at Sien-You after the conference in Chuanchow, but a letter from the brothers in Foochow urged me to promptly return to take charge of the newly rented hall at Tai-Jiang-Xun. Honoring their wish, I consented without hesitation. I arrived in Foochow on the fifth of July and have been working until this day. In the past four months, in spite of the grave political condition, by God's grace the work has never ceased. Every night we see the working of the Holy Spirit. More than X people have signed their name upon believing. Although one cannot say they all are genuine, there is a good number among them who have a good testimony. Furthermore, among those who believe, the majority are from Yah-Mei-Jou, Jung-Dang-Hou-Jou, Jung-Ting-Jie, Chang-Hsia-Jou, and the nearby riverside regions. Most of them are workers of industry or commerce. Since they have no relationship with the denominational Christians, this work is a pioneering one. If a new work is to commence in the future, these ones can be considered the basic members. Recently, because of the need of the circumstances, the edifying work has started; there are now meetings in two places, with the breaking of bread and other work going on without conflict. The situation is very good. I am concerned about how they will go on in the future. If you have any foresight in this matter, I hope to receive your instructions.
Regarding the work here, I feel that we are short in several areas: (1) The meeting hall is too small and can only accommodate one to two hundred people; (2) there are too few brothers who can take responsibility directly; (3) being alone and weak, I may not be able to continue for a long stretch of time. Please beseech the Lord to raise up more responsible brothers and workers. Pray also for me so that I may be freed from living by Hagar's bottled water and may enter into the realm of living springs. How is the recent situation in Hankow? Please greet Brother Lan for me. Here we feel no impact of the war, all walks of life remain calm, and work continues as usual. In addition, my mortal frame is as healthy as ever. The Lord willing, I hope to see you soon that I may be taught and benefited. Brother Je-dun has been laboring in northern Fukien recently. Brother Bi-yin has gone to eastern Fukien. Brother Chun-geng is again visiting the brothers in Yu-Si. Brother Jai-seng has returned to Han River. Sister Shu-min is carrying out a two-week edifying meeting for the women here. Soon she will go to Fu-Ching and then to southern Fukien. Brother Chiu's whole household is fine. Brothers Shih and Kwang-hwa continue their business as usual. Brother Tien-yiang got married at Pu-Tien last month, and now he works at Shieho Hospital. Sister Soon Shi-jiang, having left Chai-Jing, has decided to wholeheartedly serve the Lord. Presently, she is staying temporarily at Brother Wilson Wang's house; her future has yet to be determined. Sister Peace Lu has left Kutien Hospital. She is also waiting for the Lord's leading. Sister Li Shiu-yi has rendered much help to the work in the gospel hall. I will write about the rest at a later time. May peace be with you.
A weak one in the Lord,Chen Jeng-fanNovember 9[Address omitted]
Honorable X:
While I was en route to Wei-Yang from Kutien, I sent you a letter. I wonder whether you have read it. I arrived in Foochow on the fourteenth. Although I worked there for only six days, God blessed the people very much. They had begun their autumn harvest and were very busy. Nevertheless, their longing made them very enthusiastic, and they attended two to three meetings daily. Since the great harvest was approaching, we felt that it would not be good to continue our work, so we stopped the meetings and came here. The situation in the Tai-Jiang gospel hall is very good, and there are many new believers. I had planned to go elsewhere via Foochow, but some of the believers here wanted me to remain a few more days for the need of the new believers among the women. I also felt that I should render something to meet their need out of the love and compassion of the Lord, and I considered this as important as the work of personal evangelism. Therefore, a few women have gathered every afternoon at the Tai-Jiang meeting hall since the eighteenth. Sister Li Shiu-yi has been in charge of teaching them to read and recite hymns. I spoke to them on aspects regarding life. For the time being, we have decided to conduct this meeting for one week.
If the Lord opens the way, I am willing to go to the downstream region for a brief stay and then onward to southern Fukien. I also would like to stay at Ping-Yang for a longer time. I am now praying about this. Due to some difficulties that I encountered in seeking the Lord's path, I am afraid that I will have to stay here for a few more days. Perhaps I can also visit the rural vicinities around Foochow. The path before me is unclear; I can only proceed one step at a time. Although there seem to be many difficulties, I am very blessed within. I feel very strong and bold, and my heart is firmly secure and at rest. In spite of the work load, nothing seems to be burdensome and all is well. Although I have suffered from a cold recently, my living and work are not frustrated. Recently, Brother Lo Da-jun, from the meeting at Ching-Liu Township in western Fukien, heard that I had returned to Fukien and tried to invite me to labor in his place for some time. In order to go there from Foochow, one has to pass through four counties: Amoy, Changchow, Lung-Yen, and Lienchen. There are meetings in the first three places, but in Lienchen there seem to be only denominational churches. I was in Amoy and Changchow last year and also met the brothers who labored at Lienchen. If it is the Lord's will, there should be no difficulty (referring to the journey) for me to go there, except that I do not know who would go with me. Therefore, I am still praying. If I am assured that this journey is all gain and no loss, I will visit Yung-An on my way back (where I had been a teacher before), passing through Da-Tien County to Amoy and then to Ping-Yang. I have heard that Mr. Nee has returned to Shanghai. When you have a chance, please ask for his opinion concerning my path. I have planned, prayed, and waited, but I need to walk according to God's ordination. I wish to be more clear concerning all matters as befitting the proper principles. According to present circumstances, some can go with me, but I wish to do so according to God's way. Recently I read the newsletters and found out about the situations elsewhere. Truly, tribulation is a blessing in disguise. Thank the Father for gracing the brothers and sisters in other places!
This letter was written during three sittings. Some changes have occurred since I began it. The first page was written several days ago, while the first half of this page was written yesterday morning. It has been five days since the meetings in Tai-Jiang. The Lord really blessed the meetings according to the need. Some sisters still hope to carry on for another week, which may indeed happen. In the evenings I have a home-meeting (prayer-edifying) with some sisters in town. The house is borrowed; hopefully, we will not encounter any frustrations. Please pray for us and give us your comments. May peace be with you in the Lord.
Bao Hsu-minOctober 23
Dear Sister X:
Through reading the local newsletter from Shanghai, I learned that you had gone to Hankow. Thanks be to the grace of the Father. I heard that there will be a co-workers' meeting in Hankow. May God bestow His grace and greatly advance His work through such a meeting, amen. Though I am here, my heart longs to be there. I had planned to go to western Fukien, but I was repeatedly delayed in going. Presently, I am still in Foochow sharing the same dwelling place with Miss Li Shiu-yi at the Gospel Hospital. I have been resting and having more contact with the academic circle. The activities of my heart, spirit, soul, body, and walk seem quite different from before. I wonder whether there is any danger in my endeavors. I hope very much to be taught by you face to face. For now, I feel stable and calm in heart, neither burning nor desperate. I can wait quietly for the Father's fresh grace. If you are familiar with my condition, please give me some guidance in writing. I would very much appreciate it. May peace be with you in the Lord.
Your sister,Bao Hsu-minNovember 20[Address omitted]
Dear Sister X in the Lord:
It took me only two and a half hours to travel by bus from Jien-Ou down to Yen-Ping on the fifth of this month. Je-dun has come early to lead the meetings. I helped a little with the women attendees. Except for X, everyone was receptive. I saw how they longed for the truth and how they honored people like us. Nevertheless, I have told the Lord that I cannot do anything. The only thing that I can do is to offer myself into the Lord's hand for His breaking so that others might be fed. I thank the Lord for showing me that the work is the Lord's. When it is effectual, one should not be thrilled; and when it is not effectual, one should not be disheartened. One should just forge ahead according to the Lord's charge. Thank the Lord for leading me to live this sojourning life. May the Lord truly make me a wanderer to sojourn in this land with Him.
There is a certain missionary in Yen-Ping whose life is quite excellent and who is also desirous of the truth. She has a heart for the Lord, but she has been deaf for the past four years. I recall that Sister Hsiao Yu-yin was healed through a book written in English. Perhaps Brother David Hsu borrowed that book from someone. Please secure this book for me. Whether or not you can get the book, pray for this Western missionary sister. May the Lord be merciful to her and grant her grace to glorify His name. On the thirteenth of this month, I left Yen-Ping and took a one-and-a-half-hour bus ride north to Nan-Ya Village. This is the first place on the upper course of the river where the X denomination began its work. Most of the members of the denomination are spiritually dead. I have invited the women of the church to come together in the afternoon, and I have preached to them. Hopefully, some will understand salvation. May the Lord be gracious to us. After this, I will go to a village forty miles from here; from there I will return to Jien-Ou. I have entrusted my children to the Lord and am at peace and undisturbed in serving the Lord. Thank the Lord, my son Jia-en was sick, but he was healed the next day. Thank the Lord! I have received recent news concerning many brothers and sisters. May the Lord be gracious to you and may He empower you to serve Him. Peace be to you. Please greet Sister Chang for me.
Your sister,Yu-bing, November 16[Address omitted]
My Brother X:
Peace to you in the Lord. While I was in Pu-Tien, I received your letter. Thank the Lord for His grace. Since I was coming to Yu-Shi, I did not reply to your letter right away. May the Lord bless and remember you. May the Lord use Hankow as the Antioch of the inland regions. We look to the Lord to show us our future. The passport I had during the last three months is only good for traveling to Chuanchow, Sien-You, Fu-Ching, and Pu-Tien. Please continue to send The Open Door to Pu-Tien. Brother Tsai-seng went to Sien-You this time. I believe that he has already started the Lord's table meeting there. There are now over ten brothers and sisters who are ready to serve the Lord. Brother Shao-hwa has moved from Foochow to Sien-You to take up a teaching post. God's arrangement is always wonderful. Thank and praise Him. May the Lord use him in Sien-You. The Lord's grace be with you.
Brother Chen Ke-sanNovember 29[Address omitted]
Dear sister in the Lord:
The region around Lung-Yen is at peace, and the work can still go on. However, I have felt quite lonely, and I am too weak to pioneer new regions. The meeting here needs much strengthening from men whom the Lord can use. (No one has been here before except Brother Nee, Brother Stephen Kaung, and Brother Chai Tze-chung, who were here last year. It is about two hundred miles inland from Amoy.) The need among the sisters is especially urgent. Most of the sisters in the meetings are uneducated, and there are very few sisters who can render the ladies any help. Please remember this work in your prayer. Greetings to you in the Lord.
Deng Tze-chengNovember 30[Address omitted]
Peace to my beloved brothers, Watchman and Tsi-yi:
Through reading The Open Door I have come to know a little about the situation among the brothers. Thank you. On September 22-24 Brother Ke-san, Jai-seng, and I prayed in one accord for the work in Foochow, Pu-Tien, and Sien-You. On the twenty-fifth Brother Tsai-seng went to Fu-Ching via Han-Chiang. I went to Sien-You from Pu-Tien, and Brother Ke-san conducted a Bible study in Pu-Tien. Brother Ke-san is still conducting a Bible study in Pu-Tien. Brother Jai-seng went from Fu-Ching to Dung-Jang. Brothers Chen Bing-hsi and Jung Chun-geng went with him. I heard that the Lord did some marvelous work there. After I left Sien-You, I remained in Feng-Ting for two days and returned to Pu-Tien on October 25. The Lord has been guiding us through all these endeavors, and we thank Him for His grace. Grace be with you.
Brother Chai Tze-chungOctober 29[Address omitted]
Dear sister in the Lord:
The work around Shao-Shing has witnessed God's marvelous grace. The Lord has brought us safely through the meetings in Shao-Cheng, Hwa-She, and Wan-An-Chiao. Before us still lie Ji-Shan-Chiao, Shi-Ur-Dai (of the China Inland Mission), and Si-Shing. These meetings will be concluded in two weeks. We hope that the Lord will do greater things and that myself and all the brothers and sisters in various places will receive the benefit. Peace be to you.
Brother in the Lord,Tang Shou-lingNovember 1, in transit(Since the war reached Wu-Kang, we have lost contact with Brother Tang's family. We do not know where Brother Tang is. We hope those who know where he is will immediately inform us of his whereabouts — Editor.)
Dear Brother Tsi-yi, beloved in the Lord:
I have not corresponded with you for a long time because I did not know your address. I found out where you are only after receiving Brother Nee's open letter (in The Open Door) yesterday. Enclosed please find X dollars as an offering for the brothers who have lost their jobs through the fighting in Shanghai. The amount is small and serves merely to show the fulfillment of our duty. Please give my greetings to Brother Nee and thank him for not forgetting me. Although I live in Soo-Jia-Tsui, I sometimes travel to the two inland counties of Lian-Shui and Hwai-An. I also work in the region of Fu-Ning County. The past spring Brother Ji and I worked in Nan-Shu-Jou, Ling-Bi County, and Si-Jou in Anhwei province for a month or two. Recently, I have been working more often in the city of Lian-Shui. Please pray for this city. We are all well here. Thank Him for His grace. If you have the time, please tell us about your condition and the condition of your church. Peace to you in the Lord.
A young one in the Lord,Chiu Ri-jien[Address omitted]
Dear X:
I have received your letter of November 15, which was sent through Brother Yueh-chao. Since you and Brother Nee have left Shanghai, I have been going on according to the principle of separation between the church and the work. Last Lord's Day I delivered a message with much fear and trembling. I hope that Brother Tang Shou-ling and David Hsu will come to Shanghai, but they have not come, and I do not know where they are. Letters take a long time, and communication is difficult. I hope that you will pray for us. Please give my greetings to Brother Nee.
Brother Chang Kwang-rongDecember 4[Address omitted]
Sister X:
I received your letter yesterday from Mr. Ho. Presently, I am taking care of a women's meeting at the refugee camp in Jiao-Tung University. The number is around forty, and the condition of the meeting is quite good. I spoke for three days and then had to stop because of a cold. Some seminary students took my place and continued. We will see how the Lord leads us to go on. I have been using a series of hymns to teach the women to study the truth and to learn to read. I hope this series of meetings can last for a period of ten days. This is only the first attempt on my part to learn to do something.
There are about twenty thousand refugees in the Jiao-Tung University refugee camp. They are all local people living in and around Shanghai. The China Inland Mission workers have picked up part of the work from the International Relief Organization. They are preparing to have meetings for women and children, in addition to providing relief work. They expect me to render more help to the work there. This may be a good opportunity for me to do some work among the women. Recently, I have been reading the biography of Mr. Müller and have received much help in the matter of guidance and trusting in God. Since the Lord has put me on this frontline, I feel that I should follow those who are my seniors to go on in this one flow, even though I admit that I am far behind. Sister Roh-chen wrote and told us that Sisters Yu and Lee are still in Hong Kong because they have had difficulty entering Yunnan. I wonder whether you already know about this? Sister Ding Shu-shin left for Singapore a few days ago, and Sister An-sin went to Hong Kong on the same steamer. Peace to you in the Lord!
Sister Hwei-fenNovember 27[Address omitted]
My respected Brother X and Sister X in the Lord:
By the Lord's grace, I came to Swatow again on the nineteenth of last month and have been greatly encouraged through meeting the brothers and sisters here who are in tribulation. Although many of the brothers and sisters have scattered into the inland regions, it is a comforting thought to realize that they are all preserved in the Lord's peace. Recently, some heartbreaking events happened among us. Brother Liu Liang-wei passed away, and a few days ago Sister Sun Pei-fang also went to be with the Lord. Within a period of three months, we lost two precious believers, and our hearts were broken. It is surely excellent for those who have departed to be with the Lord, but the meeting in the Swatow cannot help but be affected by this. The door of the gospel around the Swatow and Chaochow regions is still open, and there is a calling from various places. I intend to go with a few brothers to labor in these places. But seeing the darkness all around and the coldness of man's heart, I wonder how a weak one like myself can meet the need. I ask you not to forget to pray for me so that the Lord can gain something, amen. Peace to you in the Lord.
Brother James Chen December 3[Address omitted]
Peace to you, dear X in the Lord:
Yesterday I received your express letter dated the nineteenth of last month. Thank you for your light concerning the apostles. The manuscript of the combined Issue Nos. 13 and 14 of The Christian magazine is ready and typeset. According to your instructions, I forwarded it by express mail to Shanghai the day before yesterday and charged Brother Ho Yueh-chao to send it to the printer. I wonder if mail from Shanghai will reach other places without difficulty. In this issue the "Notes on Scriptural Messages" column contains Brother Nee's message "God Interrupting Man's Speaking," the "Bible Study" column contains the message "The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Believers," and the "Footsteps of the Witnesses" column contains the account of "God's Vessel in the Welsh Revival," which was translated by Brother Stephen Kaung. All of these three articles are typeset in #3 characters, and the rest are in #4 characters. The "Testimony" column was contributed by Sister Chang Yi-hwa. This issue will cover the months of May through August. I will quickly put together another combined issue covering September through December. The Bible study here concluded last Friday. I had intended to visit Dong-Shiang this week but felt to delay visiting the village in order to put out more articles for The Christian and to have some fellowship with the brothers and sisters. A letter from Peking invited me to go there with my family, but I feel that I should work a little in east Tsinan for now. Thank the Lord that everything is peaceful and the meetings are as usual. Peace to you in the Lord. Greetings to Sisters Wang, Chang, and Tso.
Brother Witness LeeDecember 9[Address omitted](We have heard that it is difficult to send and receive printed material to and from Shanghai. Many readers of The Christian have moved because of the war, and there is no way for us to forward any mail to their new addresses. We are still considering whether we should print this issue now. If we publish it now, we intend to send it to the readers whose addresses are more reliable. We will send out the rest after we have received instructions from those who have moved — Editor.)
Dear Brother X in the Lord:
I received your letter a few days ago. I am grateful that you remembered my health! I have been here for two months already, but it seems as if the work has hardly started. I deeply feel that I am not qualified to work for the Lord. My spirit, soul, and body are all weak, and I suffer the loneliness of being without any co-workers. Without the grace of God and the prayer of the saints, I would not have been able to stand fast. Thank the Lord that since my arrival in Chungking, I have testified and preached the gospel to the Quakers, the China Inland Mission, Chiu-Ching Middle School, Shu-Teh Girls' School, and Kuan-Ren Hospital. The meetings were quite good, but there were no obvious results. Dr. X came to Chungking and spoke for a few days. A group of people were touched and signed their names. They became desirous of the truth. The local Christian Council officially invited me to be their speaker once a week. I took up their invitation for the gospel's sake. Last Saturday was the first time I spoke. In the near future I will borrow the chapel of X denomination and conduct a gospel meeting there; the date has not yet been set. I have been waiting for co-workers to come to Chungking to start together, but now I have given up such hope. I do not understand why I seem to have lost my ability to walk by faith. When I was in Tientsin, I was captured by the promise of not walking by my own wisdom but walking by the grace of God. I might have been somewhat foolish, but I was quite bold. I did not consider everything so much. I did not trust in my own wisdom, and everything seemed to be working for my good. Whenever I now try to do something, I pray much and seek God's will. However, the more I pray, the more confused I become, and the more I seek after His will, the more I am bewildered. Sometimes I put aside this endeavor and revert to my former way of "trusting not in my own wisdom but in God's grace." But even when I do this, there seems to be some kind of bothering within. There is no assurance in whatever I do. The result is constant regret and self-condemnation. Do you know where my problem lies? I have also thought that if I preach the gospel here and God saves a group of sinners, I will start a Bible study at my own place, and if God gains these ones, I will set up a local church. Perhaps this is my dream. But when I consider that the work is the Lord's and that I do not have to take charge of anything, I become more at rest. Our home meeting was held on the Lord's Day morning, but due to the fact that I have been frequently invited to preach in the denominations, we have changed the time of meeting to Sunday afternoon. Now I can preach in the denominations on the Lord's Day morning. I have told you of the condition of the work and of my own condition so that I can receive some guidance from you. I hope that you will pray for me. I have been physically tired the last two days; this letter was written on my bed. Please excuse my untidy handwriting. Peace to you in the Lord!
Brother Chang Yu-zhi[Address omitted]
Brother Chang Yu-zhi has not been feeling well lately. He needs some rest and our supplication. After Sisters Peace Wang, Phoebe Chang, and I arrived in Chungking, we met together to pray for the future of the work. We have decided to have a week of gospel meetings with the women in the Meditation Chapel of X denomination beginning January 3, 1938. We will have one meeting a day, and Sister Peace Wang will be responsible for the speaking. After the meetings, the Lord willing, Brother Yu-zhi will conduct another gospel meeting, which will be followed by Bible studies. After this, Brother Yu-zhi and Sister Peace Wang both feel to go to Ch'eng-tu.
Ruth Lee in ChungkingDecember 27
Dear Sister X in the Lord:
I have received your postcard and the nine books. Thank you. Enclosed please find ninety-cent stamps for the price of the books. I recall the times that we were together in Hou-Ma seeking after the Lord. It was as if they were things of yesterday. How unforgettable are those times! Now I am in Honan and you are in Hankow. Thank the Lord that everything is in His hand. Thank the Lord that He has prepared a work in Wu-Yang. Today I started a girl's Bible class. The Lord willing, I will conduct such a class for two weeks, after which I may move on. The work of the Spiritual Work Band is sprouting, but everywhere there is much need of nurturing. Please pray for this. I hope that Rev. Yang Shao-tang can come. May the Lord lead him. What kind of light have you received in Hankow? Is there any work in Honan? When can we meet again? I hope that you will write to me when you are free. May the Lord be with you all the time.
Sister Rong Fu-tienNovember 8
Sister X:
I received your letter. Thank you. I have been in Singapore for a month, and I have been busy here and there without much achievement. The Lord loves me and opened the door of preaching for me. Thank Him! Miss Ding Shu-hin will arrive in Singapore next Saturday. Please pray much for us. I heard that Miss Chen Wan-ching is thinking about coming to Singapore. The brothers all hope that she can come. I also hope very much that she can come. I hope very much that X can send me a written copy of the light that you have received this time concerning the difference between the work and the church. (Brother Watchman Nee is busily editing the notes of the last Bible study in Hankow. Hopefully, we will be able to publish them as a separate book. For this reason, there is no need to send our brother a written copy — Editor.) Peace to you! Greetings to Sisters Chang and Wang.
Faithful LukThe twenty-eighth[Address omitted]
Dear Brothers Watchman, Yao-ju, Lan-seng, and Tsi-yi and Sisters Ruth, Peace, and Chi-nien:
Thank and praise the Father for His amazing grace. Through the prayer of the brothers and sisters, I have been protected to safely arrive in Canton. Brother Shuan Chang-ming came to the station to receive me. Everything is well. Please do not worry. Yesterday on our journey a few planes bombed the Jiang-Kou, Li-Dong, and Loh-Tong stations two hours ahead of us. The railway tracks were cut off in a few places and many supporting railway ties were damaged. Thank the Lord that we have not met with any danger. His deliverance and protection are complete. Praise His name! We met Mrs. Suen (Sister Zhu Ming-seng) this afternoon. All the brothers and sisters in Canton are protected by the Lord and are safe. Barring any unexpected circumstances, we will leave for Hong Kong tomorrow. I write this hastily and send you my greetings in the Lord. Please greet all the brothers and sisters in Wuhan for me. Miss Miao, Miss Tzo, Miss Mei, and Tze-sien all send their greetings to you.
Brother Philip LuanDecember 10[Address omitted]
Sisters X, X, and X:
I arrived safely in Hong Kong at 3 p.m. on the eleventh. Some brothers and sisters went early that day across the harbor to wait for me at the pier. Had they not waited for me, I would have been in trouble, because I had a great deal of luggage and could not speak the local dialect. After I disembarked from the boat, all my belongings had to be inspected by the Customs Department. Thank the Lord for His grace. He has borne our burden. He has not only preserved us in peace on our journey but also granted us the rich enjoyment of the care and love of the brothers and sisters. This was the case in Wuhan, Canton, and Hong Kong. I witnessed the grace and love of the Lord. His love extends beyond all boundaries. This love is sweet and rich and something that the world can never know. Only the saved sinners can speak of its worth. Hallelujah! Thank and praise His holy name!
The work here has been much blessed by the Lord. Since the war started in Shanghai, many brothers and sisters have moved here temporarily from other places. Brother and Mrs. Chou En-kai, Brother Wang Dah-ho, and Mr. and Mrs. Chung Wen-jao are all here. There are also many brothers and sisters from Swatow and Amoy here. Thank the Lord that all those who have come have been protected by the Father and are safe. Yesterday I went with Mr. Nee Hwai-zhu to Macao to look for houses. I returned to Hong Kong from Macao that same day. I intend to send all the brothers and sisters to Macao who have come to the south for refuge. The cost of living in Macao is lower than in Hong Kong, and the rent is cheaper. The place is also quite safe. The house that we saw was at 12 Dong-Wang-Yang Street. It is a two-story house and the monthly rent is forty dollars. If this house were in Hong Kong, it would cost at least eighty to ninety dollars.
Macao really needs the gospel. While I was in Macao, I was deeply disturbed by the superstition and gambling going on everywhere. The prevalence of such activity has not been seen or heard of anywhere in China. Wherever one goes in Macao, he can see people burning incense and papers and worshipping demons. There are gambling houses at every corner. This is truly heartbreaking! I have heard that there are only two gospel missions in Macao, and that it is very difficult to have any evangelizing work. The power of the X religion is very strong and pervasive here, and it limits all other religious activities. I hope that the Lord will quickly send brothers and sisters to labor here. Please pray for this. Presently, Brother Joh-tze and Mrs. Ma Mu are living here. They are all fine. Praise His name. Peace to you in the Lord.
Brother Philip LuanDecember 17
There were only a few co-workers in Hankow this time. From November 22 to 28 there was a Bible study. Mr. Watchman Nee was responsible for the speaking. Sometimes he spoke twice a day. The subject was "Rethinking Our Work." There were eight messages: (1) God's Workers, (2) The Sending Out of the Apostles and Their Footsteps, (3) The Elders Appointed by the Apostles, (4) The Churches Established by the Apostles, (5) The Basis of Division and Unity, (6) Among the Workers, (7) The Workers and Finance, and (8) The Biblical View concerning Three Important Issues. (These are only the preliminary chapter headings. The book has not been fully polished, and there may be further changes to the chapter headings.) Although we have the notes, they are not complete. Mr. Nee is busily editing and polishing them and intends to publish them as a book. Although the content of this Bible study is similar to the one we had in Shanghai, as far as I know, the light that was released was clearer and the scope was more complete. We hope that through the prayers of many, this book can be published soon and that the co-workers can receive help from it. At times like these, we moan the passing away of those who have gone before us on the one hand and fear that we cannot catch up with what lies ahead of us on the other hand. May God be merciful to us, to the church, and to sinners so that we may redeem the time to follow the apostles' pathway. This may not make up for our lack of the past, but it may at least set our heart somewhat at peace.
Ruth Lee in ChungkingDecember 28
Brother Philip Luan has moved to Hong Kong with his family. [Address omitted]
Brother Watchman Nee arrived in Hong Kong on December 20. [Address omitted]
Sister Miao Yun-chun arrived in Hong Kong from Hankow and sent her mother to Shanghai. [Address omitted]
Sister Tzo Fu-ru went to Shanghai via Hong Kong. [Address omitted]
Sister Ding Shu-shin went to Singapore (Address unknown).
Sister Miao An-sin arrived in Hong Kong from Shanghai (Address unknown).
Brother Duan Chai-ju is now working together with Brother Hu Tien-en in Tien-Shui, Kansu province. [Address omitted]
Brothers Stephen Kaung and Chen Ju-yien and Sisters Yu Su-jen and Rachel Lee are still in Hong Kong.
Sister Huang Ro-chen has been working in Chung-Shan for some time. We do not know where she is now.
Brothers Hu Yi-min and Hsu Jung-jieh and his family left K'un-ming on November 14 for Yeh-Ji. [Address omitted]
Sister Ruth Lee, Phoebe Chang (i.e., Chang Chi-nien) and Sister Peace Wang arrived in Chungking on December 22. [Address omitted]
Brother Han Fu-sen arrived in Ch'ang-Teh in Hunan province. [Address omitted]
Brother James Chen is now in Swatow. [Address omitted]
Dear faithful servant of the Lord, Brother Watchman Nee:
I have received four copies of The Open Door. After reading it, I could not help but loudly say amen. Thank God that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. May He lead His servants to go through all the cities and villages and preach the gospel of the kingdom to the uttermost part of the earth so that billions of souls may be saved from perdition. We pray that the Lord will greatly bless our brothers (the disciples) during this time of war and that everyone will be able to do what Philip did in Samaria, amen. Presently, our meeting place is still at the home of Brother Niu of Chu-Jia-Kou, Hwai-An. Within a ten-mile radius from here, we have Ge-Jia-Chuang, Chen-Jia-Wei, and Ma-Bao. If brothers and sisters seeking refuge from the war want to come, we will be happy to provide hospitality for them. May the Lord grant us peace.
Brothers in the Lord,Kao Hung-ru, Niu Mai-jen, Chang Dien-kui[Address omitted]
Dear Sister X in the Lord:
We received your letter dated the eighth of this month. After reading it, we were filled with unspeakable thanksgiving to our Father. At the same time, we were also filled with shame, because we have remembered our sisters so little. I can only ask the Lord to forgive us for the past and to lead us on in the future. I will now report a little concerning the matters you raised in your letter. Sister Chao Jing-tze has fled from Sung-Jiang to Zhu-Sin-Sung Paper Works of San-Fang-Kou in Li-Shui, Chekiang province. Thank God for preserving her. Sister Yu Fang-rue has returned to Shangtung. Sister Yin Hsia-chin is still living one floor above the meeting hall and is not in any danger. Thank God that Sister Lu Zheng-shien has written to inform us that she is completely recovered. I heard that the sisters in Ning-Po have all fled to the countryside. After Miss Cheng learns of their new location, she will write to you. Sister Hsu Ching-hwa is doing very well. Sister Liu Ching-dong has returned to Canton. Sisters Shen Ching-hwai and Cheng Fang are well. The sisters working at the Railway Hospital are mostly staying at Hai-Geh Road. Sister Lin Yun-chang and her whole family are moving to Manila, and she will write to you when she arrives. Mrs. Lin Bu-zhi has returned to Shanghai and is well physically. Sister Ruan Dan-yun's relatives have moved out of Chi-Bao and are now living in the French Concession district. Sister Wang Yu-ying is doing well; her students have moved to the Jin-Chen Villa. Sister Lee Shi Sai-ho and Sister Cheng Yi-feng are all well. Brother Si Jiu-rong has moved to 74 Shi-Ming Villa. The Tuesday women's meeting is continuing as before. Thank the Lord that more sisters are engaged in personal work and more have come to listen to our preaching now. The Saturday sisters' meeting is more lively than before, and the time has been changed to 4 p.m. The children's meeting has not started due to the lack of a suitable place. The Monday night prayer meeting in all the homes has stopped completely. Most of the other meetings are more or less the same as before. Peace to you in the Lord. Greetings to Brothers Nee, Luan, and Lan and Sisters Chang, Wang, and Tso.
Sisters Lee Shi Sai-ho, Lin Shue Yun-chang,Cheng Feng-yi, Luh Wang Yi-rongDecember 17[Address omitted]
My younger brother Yu-zhi:
Last Thursday night during the prayer meeting I mentioned your name and asked the brothers and sisters to pray for you. Brother Yang Jun has returned to Shanghai. Brother Chung-chen said that he wished that the Lord would raise up responsible brothers here. Brother You-an is still in Shanghai, and his son is studying at Jung-Fa. Brother Kwang-rong's whole family is safe. During the recent war that broke out in western and southern Shanghai, all the brothers and sisters in the Lord were preserved in peace. No one was hurt. Even the blind brother, Peter Ho, and his whole family were not hurt. Some brothers have moved out of east Shanghai; they are also safe. Brother Chu En-seng and his family have not moved out yet, but we trust that they are safe. Han-jing and Neng-sheng are still in Shanghai. Gong-dah, Chu Chen, Chen Jie-yu's whole family, Pei En-rong, Liu Hwei-fen, the elderly Mrs. Wang, and Mr. and Mrs. Luh Tze-ming are safe in Shanghai. Brother Jin-tang has returned to Shao-Shing. Dr. Stearn is still in Shanghai. He preached twice, both times on the life of the cross. Brother Kwang-rong led the singing. Brother Hwei-siang's family and Brothers Wu Shen-lai and Ho Deh-gen are safe in Shanghai. Brother Chen Ling-shing's family has moved to Singapore. Among the sisters, most of the nurses are still in Shanghai.
Your older brother,Hwei-zhi
Dear Brother X in the Lord:
I received your letter a long time ago. Because of a boil on my hand, it has been difficult for me to write, and I was delayed in replying to your letter. I have to ask the Lord to show me what position I should stand on and what gift I have been given in the Body of Christ so that I may be faithful to the end and so that I may not overstep or restrict the gift of the Spirit. X is still sympathetic to us and still has us in his heart. There is hope for him to turn. May the Lord accomplish the work of unity. Your prayer before the Father will certainly be remembered. Jin Dong-chu is working in Shanghai at present. Brother Wu Sen-rong is safe in Hangchow. My family has returned to Ju-jih's house.
Brother Ma Di-sengOctober 25(Brother Ma has left Hangchow now. His correspondence address is yet unknown.)
Dear Mr. X, my brother in the Lord:
Since I preached the gospel at the temples, my inward being has been more in darkness. I have no confidence about anything pertaining to the present situation, and I feel that a multitude of believers is being tested generally in faith. The gold has changed its color, but perhaps God will grant us faith that is more precious than gold. He has promised "the proving of your faith, much more precious than of gold which perishes though it is proved by fire." In another place He says, "God is mindful of sending woes to men." In another place He says that in the last days, "because lawlessness will be multiplied the love of many will grow cold." God is testing the believers to see whether they meet the standard of "cast down but not destroyed." In other words, He is finding out whether believers will pass the test when they are put through a certain environment. Formerly a life of faith was required only of the workers. Now every believer has to live by faith. It seems that my prayer has done nothing except bounce off a blank wall, but I still insist that I will find my way out through prayer. Concerning the condition of the meeting, Brother X has been most zealous. He goes with some other brothers to the Army Casualty Hospital and the Refugee Camp often to preach the gospel. He is also faithful in his material offerings. Greetings to you.
Yours,Si Meng-yuOctober 29(We do not know where Brother Si has moved to now — Editor.)
Dear respected older brother X in the Lord:
Jia-Shing and Soochow have capitulated, and ninety percent of the residents of Hangchow have fled. Brothers Chiu and Ma, together with brothers Jun-dao, Ming-jin, Lin-guei, Fang-chen, and Chen-yi, have left. Their families have also been sent to various places up the river. Brother Chiu's family is temporarily staying in Jien-Deh and Brother Ma's family has settled in Ju-Jih. Hu's family and my family are now in Lan-Si. Ah-lai, my sister-in-law, will go to Chou-Jia-Pu. The mother of Huang Tsai-ching and Si's mother have gone to Ju-Jih also. Brother Hsu Tseng-rong has gone to Chou-Jia-Pu. Mr. and Mrs. Feng-tien have come to Lan-Si with me. Senior Brother Ruan Chi-yu had not left Hangchow as of a few days ago. Perhaps he has gone to Chou-Jia-Pu already; I have no idea about it. Senior Mrs. Chang has taken the little ones in Ruan's family to Chou-Jia-Pu. Hou-ran went to Chang-Kou from Lan-Si yesterday and resumed classes at the new address in Hwei-Lan. We have given written notice that we will give up our rented meeting hall as of December 1. The furniture does not need to be moved out yet and can still be kept in Dong-Chie Road. Eventually we may have to pay a little storage fee. Brother Ma's and my belongings have been placed in storage already. We do not have time to move out Sister Miao's and your belongings. We are retreating with the very limited amount of money we have, and our future living is in the Father's hand. The business in the company has stopped, and in a few days we will gather together in Jien-Deh to consider any further move. My wife gave birth to our sixth child about fifteen days ago. Now I have two boys and four girls. May the Lord be gracious to us. Please keep us posted of your whereabouts. Peace be to you.
Your younger brother,Yang-dehNovember 23[Address omitted]
Dear Brother X in the Lord:
The church in Ning-Po has rented a place for its meeting. The address is 7 Kwai-Shu-Fang, Kwai-Shu Road, North Shore. Brother Hsu is living there now. Every Saturday afternoon at three o'clock we have the prayer meeting. On Lord's Day we have a gospel meeting at nine o'clock. Due to the war, we temporarily stopped these meetings. We have not, however, stopped the bread-breaking meeting held at three o'clock on the Lord's Day. There are only a dozen or so brothers and sisters attending, and recently the number has decreased. But we understand that we are here to build up the Body of Christ and not to build up a meeting. We are all well through God's protection. Thank Him! Greetings to you in the Lord. Greetings to all the brothers and sisters meeting in Hankow under the Lord's name.
A weak brother in the Lord,Yu Rong-feiOctober 16(Brother Yu has left Ning-Po by now — Editor.)
Sister X:
I did not receive your postcard dated November 16 until the twenty-sixth. Thank you for remembering me in the Lord. From the local newsletter in Shanghai, we learned of your move to Hankow. May the Lord preserve you in peace. We moved from Ning-Po to the villages for refuge on the fifteenth because planes bombed the train station of Ning-Po on the twelfth. The station is very close to my home, and my whole family was frightened. The bombing shattered and damaged over a hundred buildings and killed over a hundred people. We have been preserved in peace according to the Lord's promise. Presently, the table meeting has stopped. In Chen-Po-Du we have meetings on the Lord's Day afternoon where we pray and remember the Lord. Sister Yu-yin and her aunt, as well as senior Sister Chen, are all here. We should thank the Lord for the comfort He has provided us here in terms of clothing, food, and shelter. He is indeed our Shepherd, and we have no want! Sisters Ai-chuen, Wang Ho-yueh, and senior Sister Bi are scattered in the villages and are safe in the Lord. Brother Yu Rong-fei returned to the villages after the school suspended classes. Presently, we may be separated through earthly tribulations, but we look forward to the Lord's soon return when we will never be separated again in Him forever. What a joy that will be! Greetings to you in the Lord. Greetings also to Sister Peace and Phoebe. Sister Yu-yin asks me to send you her greetings also.
Sister Yu-hwaNovember 28[Address omitted]
Dear Jing-wen:
In the future when you write to me you should mail to: Hwa-Ying Pharmacy, Dah-Shang Bridge, Shao-Shing. You should not mail directly to Tsao-Miao Lane. I have decided to move to Chou-Shan. There are brothers there who can accommodate us. My family will not be going alone; quite a number of sisters are going the same way with us. Personally, I will still travel in and out of the city and will be back and forth. Most of the time I will be in the Hwa-Ying Pharmacy. I am saying this only in anticipation of change. Whether or not we will put this into effect depends on the God in whom we trust and who is guiding our footsteps. May the loving Father and the living God spare us from fleeing for refuge. Peace to you.
Your father (Hsieh Tse-yuen)November 17[Address omitted]
Dear and respected Brother X in the Lord:
I have testified for the Lord in Nan-Sha and have spread the Lord's accomplished work on the cross to the men in the X hospital. Some of the soldiers have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. The meeting in Chou-Shan Village is going on as usual; there is no change in any way. God has been guiding His children on with miracles. He is worthy to be praised. We should shout Hallelujah! Please give my greetings to the brothers and sisters from various places when you see them. May the Lord strengthen you, and may His glorious light be manifested through you. May glory, kingdom, and power be unto Him forever and ever, amen!
A weak brother in the Lord,Ma Ting-chiNovember 12
Dear X:
It has been a month since we parted in Shanghai. I trust that God has been preserving you in peace on your journey to Hankow. I returned home from Shanghai on the third of this month. My intention was to take care of my family business a little and then go back to Shanghai. But during those few days the war broke out and no train or steamer set off for Shanghai. Now my hometown Nan-Sha is also threatened by the war. I have not decided where to go yet. I want to go to Hankow or Ch'ang-sha but do not have enough money. Some brothers and sisters in Nan-Sha are faced with the same situation. There is no place for them to escape. If the situation becomes more tense, I intend to flee to the mountains. Please pray for this. I am afraid that mail and telegrams will also be cut off after a few days. If you write to me, please send it to Kao Yun-seng of Dang-Shan, Shao-Shing. Peace to you in the Lord.
Brother Chou Jin-tangNovember 26(This letter arrived on December 23, and it is too late to reply. However, we have received a letter from Shanghai that says that Brother Chou has perhaps returned to Shanghai via Ning-Po — Editor.)
Brothers Watchman Nee and Chang Kwang-rongin the Lord:
Since the war broke out, we have been thinking of you all the time. We can only pray for you before the Lord and ask that He be with you and sustain you, amen. Presently, Wen-Chow, Ping-Yang, and Tai-Shun are all safe. Spiritually, however, we are dry and short of edifying. We earnestly desire that you would be able to come and dispense to us what God has commissioned to you. This has been our eager expectation for many years. We wonder whether you have considered us in your schedule (2 Cor. 1:15-16)? We have forwarded a little sum to Brother Lan Tsi-yi. It is for the brothers and sisters in Shanghai who are suffering from the war.
Your brothers and sisters,Bao Chung-shian, Tze-jing, Tso-shien,Dao-huang, Hsu-ching, Lin-shiangNovember 22[Address omitted]
Dear respected Sister X in the Lord:
Since the beginning of the war, both the south and north parts of the country have been greatly affected. I have been remembering the brothers and sisters living in the war zone day and night. A while ago I received the Shanghai local newsletter as well as The Open Door from Hankow and realized that the Father has bestowed wonderful grace to preserve us all in peace. This is more than I had expected. Thank the Lord! We have a little sum of money which we are forwarding to Shanghai. I wonder how the saints are doing there and how the meetings in Shanghai are. Have the saints who are relocating to Szechuan and Hankow arrived safely? Our locality lies on the eastern sea coast and is not a strategic place for the military. Presently, little has been affected here. Our only assurance will be when the Prince of Peace appears soon. The work in the few meetings around Ch'iao Tun Men is being taken care of by the two Wang brothers; I am merely their helper. Presently, there is a lack of responsible ones; the number of meetings and attendants has gradually increased. It is a pity that the shepherding work has been absent. Dear brothers and sisters, we are often driven by the circumstances around us. Although we are far away from each other, we hope that our prayers for one another will be all the more earnest so that we may not commit any errors. I wish you victory and peace in the Lord.
A brother in the Lord,Chang Wu-sengNovember 10, after recovering from illness[Address omitted]
Dear Brothers Nee and Lan in the Lord:
Peace to you in the Lord! In 1934 the Lord's servants Faithful Luk, Chen Jai-seng, and Chen Ke-san came here for some pioneering work. The next winter the Lord's meeting was established. Thank the Lord! Now there are over forty brothers and sisters breaking the bread. The responsible brothers are Lin Wei-tze (who has since left the country), Lin Shao-liang, and Chai Yi-sung. After we received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, God performed many miracles and works of wonder and has confirmed the words that have been preached by saving many sinners.
Brothers in the Lord,Lin Shao-liang, Chai Yi-sungNovember 26[Address omitted]
Dear Brothers Watchman Nee and Lan Tsi-yi in the Lord:
I have received The Open Door which you sent. Thank you. May the Lord fill you up in everything. We thank the Lord because our meeting here has witnessed His grace. Presently, we have eight brothers and sisters remembering the Lord. On Thursday evening we have our prayer meeting. We hope that you will pray much for us and for me in particular. The Lord has separated me from among the sinners. Thank Him! Now I can testify for Him. May the Lord glorify His own name at this end time, amen. Please write to me often. May you have more joy.
Brother in the Lord,Wu Ju-shanOctober 5[Address omitted]
The following is a list of local churches around this area and their addresses:
(1) Han-Jiang (Brother Fang Shi-rong is the responsible one. Recently he has had tuberculosis.) [Address omitted]
(2) Pu-Tien (Brother Chu Ai-tseng is the responsible one.) [Address omitted]
(3) Sien-You (The meeting here started not long ago. There is not a table meeting yet. The responsible brother is Tseng Kwang-yao.) [Address omitted]
(4) Feng-Ting (There are very few people here. The responsible brother is Chen Bing-jiu.) [Address omitted]
(5) Hwei-An (The responsible brother is Chuang Wen-shien.) [Address omitted]
(6) Chuenchow (The responsible brother is Yang Shi-chao.) [Address omitted]
(7) Shi-Shee (The responsible brother is Chai Gung-yuen.) [Address omitted]
Your brother,Chai Tse-chungOctober 29
To my respected Sister X in the Lord:
I trust that you received the last letter. Presently, Sister Roh-chen is still in Chung-Shan. Since Mr. Kaung and Mrs. Nee went to Hong Kong, we continue to have meetings every night at my home. I use Bible Studies for Beginners to teach the attendants. Mr. Kaung sent this book to me from Hong Kong. There are now thirteen people who are clearly saved. One of the brothers named Wu is working at my uncle's shop. After he received the Lord, he was filled with joy. Although others scolded and mocked him, he did not fight back; rather, he sang hymns.
Those in Sha-Yung Village, like my sister-in-law, her mother, and the two Mrs. Mas, cannot come to our meetings in the evening. For their sake, we have meetings every Tuesday and Friday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the house of my sister-in-law's mother. Bible Studies for Beginners is also used for these meetings. Village folks cannot read too well, but God has blessed this book. They have received much help from this book. May the Lord bless His own work and do great things here in this locality. Please pray for us. Thank and praise the Lord that He has been merciful to my family. All of Satan's work in my family has failed. My father's illness has gone, and my responsibility at home has been reduced. I have received much of God's grace during the past year. I am most unworthy, but God has placed me here to learn the lessons that I should learn. I have not learned them well, and I have often failed and faltered. I have failed Him. I am wicked, yet His love towards me has never changed. I cannot help but thank and praise Him! There are many things that I do not understand, and there are many things that I have to learn. Please instruct me as to what my future should be. I have very little experience in spiritual things, and I hope that you will give me much help and instruction. In Chung-Shan many people like to listen to Mr. Kaung's preaching. If he comes again, I am sure that many more will turn to the Lord. May the Lord lead him to come again so that many will receive God's salvation. Peace to you in the Lord! Greet Sister Phoebe Chang!
Sister Kuo Hai-jenDecember 1 [Address omitted]
Dear X, God's faithful worker:
Peace to you in the Lord! I have not been able to talk to you face to face for two years, but spiritually I have always been with you. Last spring I was sent by the Lord to preach the gospel to over twenty counties in Shantung province. Since the military invasion in northern China in July of this year, soldiers have been everywhere. It has become difficult to preach the gospel in these places. Fifty to sixty percent of the businesses and residents in Yien-Jie have moved to other places. Most of the schools have suspended their classes. I took my family and moved to Ping-Du. I intend to go to the south and thought about starting a milk store. If there is a suitable place and if the almighty God permits it, I will move there for a few years. I hope that you can reply to my letter. Peace to your whole family. Please give my greetings to the brothers and sisters.
Tsou Sing-wu[Address omitted]
Dear Sisters Ruth and Phoebe in the Lord:
Hallelujah, praise the Lord! He has heard my supplication and provided a brother to travel with me. He is Brother Tseng Jin-yi. He is going to Hwang County through Tsingtao and Chefoo. On the seventh we boarded the boat; Sister Cheng Feng-yi and Brother Shen sent us on our way. It was raining hard, and it hurt me to see them laboring so much. I could only thank the Lord on the one hand and accept their love on the other hand. After I arrived in Tsingtao, I stayed at my sister's house. On the morning of the thirteenth, I took the train, got off at a little after 10:00 a.m., and took the bus at 11:30 a.m. At 1:00 p.m. I got off the bus, and I arrived home by 3:30 p.m. Thank and praise the Lord, we have seen His guidance and provision in everything. The Lord has graced me and my whole family. The Lord stopped my father through someone's hand from doing something improper. It has to do with some family affairs. Humanly speaking, my father was fully justified in bringing the matter to court. But the gracious Lord stopped this action through a visiting friend. After I returned home and saw my father, I told him what kind of stand a Christian should take. We all felt that it was the Lord who had stopped this course of action. I am so happy. Thank and praise Him! Although men sometimes believe in Him foolishly, He nevertheless grants grace to those who love Him, and He stops them from doing things that they should not do. His love is truly wonderful! Praise Him! I will write again later. Peace to you in the Lord.
Sister Yu Fan-rueNovember 15[Address omitted]
Sister X in the Lord:
It has been five months since we parted in Shanghai. Through the Lord's protection we have been kept in safety. Are you busy? May the Lord bless you. My sister Jing-shia and I left Shanghai on August 19 for Wu-Shing. On the twentieth we experienced bombing by airplane in Sung-Jiang. But the Lord protected us, and we escaped the danger. We spent about three months in Hsieh Village in Wu-Shing. The fighting was approaching, and we left for An-Ji before Wu-Shing capitulated. After some time we left and walked several dozen miles a day through mountains and hills for three days. We eventually arrived in Hangchow. We took the night train across the Chien-Jiang and passed through Shiao-Shan and Lin-Pu, arriving at Jin-Hwa and Lan-Si. The journey took us over land and water, and we had no rest on the way. As soon as we arrived in Ning-Po, we heard that Jin-Hwa had been bombed. Then we left for Nanchang with four brothers, including Brother Chu Wen-yao and Sister Shen Hwei-min and others (for a total of seven). We waited for the train at Chien-Tang and slept outdoors, suffering the sun's heat for seven days before arriving at Ch'ang-sha. The journey was long and dangerous, but we were protected by the Lord. Thank and praise Him! After we arrived in Ch'ang-sha, we heard bad news again. We will stay here temporarily and follow the Lord's leading. What is your opinion about the present political situation? Where would be the safest place for us to go? Please instruct us. Peace to you in the Lord.
A brother in the Lord,Chang Jing-yuenDecember 17[Address omitted]
Sister Lee in the Lord:
Peace to you! I wonder whether you have received the letter I wrote you from Lan-Si? I stayed in Lan-Si for a short time and left with the Chang sisters and the four sons of Chu Kwang-hwa for Ch'ang-sha. Along the way we encountered many difficulties, but we experienced the presence of the almighty God. He led us through many difficult crises. We are full of thanksgiving and praise to Him! We are prepared to move on, but we would like to know whether the route to Szechuan or to Hong Kong is the safest. What is the way to get to these places? Are there brothers and sisters from Hankow planning to move to Hong Kong? Would they be willing to take us along by passing through Ch'ang-sha? Please pray for us. I am separated from my family and by myself in a strange place. Sometimes I experience unspeakable suffering. I can only pray for God to comfort me. I could never have imagined that I would be separated from my family this way. Fortunately, I believe in the Lord and can still find joy and peace in Christ. Peace to you in the Lord. Greetings to Mr. Nee and Miss Chang.
Hwei-min[Address omitted]
By the time the above two letters arrived in Hankow, I had moved to Chungking. Brother Lan sent them to me via airmail. After I read them, I thanked God for protecting them on the one hand, and I remembered them much on the other hand. I have sent a letter back to them, but the mail takes time, and I have no assurance that they will receive it. Yesterday, I received a letter from Hankow that said that Brother Chu Wen-yao is waiting for a train to go to Hong Kong.
Ruth LeeDecember 30in Chungking
Sister X:
My illness has improved. The "air-pressurization" did me some good, and no bacteria was found in the sputum during the last examination. Perhaps the "air-pressurization" had killed the germs. The present world situation forces us to cry to the Lord to come quickly. I will write again. Please give my greetings to the brothers and sisters.
Sister Min-jenNovember 19(Sister Ma moved from the mountain in January and into Ren-Ji Hospital in Yi-Chang for convalescent care — Editor.)
Sister X:
Tonight, Brother Han Fu-sheng with his children and amah, Brother Zhang Gung-jih and his family, Dr. and Mrs. Qu of Jiu-Jiang and their family, Mrs. Hu and my wife, and one sister from the Wei household left for Ch'ang-Teh on a steamer. They will wait for Brother Suen to take them to Chi-Li. If the situation becomes critical, Brother Chu and his family will move to the village to take refuge for a while. Brother Luk and his family have returned to Hong Kong. Mrs. Wu intends to go to Yunnan or to Hong Kong. Sisters Wang Juh-ching and Hsu En-shiu have left for Ch'ang-sha, where they will wait for a train to go to Yunnan. Sister Chang Yueh-hwa, her mother, and Sister Chen Mei-buo will leave on the Min-Chuen steamer for Yi-Chang, where they will change boats to Hankow. Most of the brothers and sisters in Hankow have left. Peace to you in the Lord. Greetings to Sisters Wang and Chang, Mrs. Yuen, and Brother Chang.
A weak member in the Lord,Lan Tsi-yiDecember 16
Sister X in the Lord:
I received your airmail letter sent from Yi-Chang. Mr. Nee had a hard time trying to get his train ticket and did not leave until the eighteenth. Sister Wang Juh-ching went to K'un-ming with Sister En-shiu's family. They are now in Ch'ang-sha. According to a letter from Sister Hsu, Sister Juh-ching went to Yunnan on the twenty-sixth. My whole family is waiting for a train to go to Kweilin. Mrs. Luh Yu-tang has gone to Hong Kong on a British battleship. Brother Yang and senior Mrs. Yang will also go also to Hong Kong by bus. Brother Liu Kwo-hwa will move to Chungking with the pharmaceutical factory tomorrow. Sister Bi-kuen will fly to Hong Kong with a patient of hers. Most of the brothers and sisters in Hankow, both the visitors and the local ones, have left. Presently, Brother Zhang is still here; Brothers Chou You-seng, Ju Ju-yao, Hu Lan-seng, and myself are also here. The Open Door can be mailed out completely by tomorrow. The post office will no longer accept anything printed in Shanghai or Kiangsu. Mr. Nee has taken two thousand copies with him and is mailing them to the brothers and sisters in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and other war-zones. Peace to you in the Lord.
A weak member in the Lord,Lan Tsi-yiDecemberP.S. Sister Chien Sin-sian is still in Hankow.
Sister X:
I sent out all the copies of The Open Door the day before yesterday. With the exception of those bound for Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, Shanghai, and Kiangsu, which I have given to Mr. Nee with the mailing list to be sent out from Hong Kong, the rest have all been sent out from Hankow. Chefoo, Peking, Tientsin, Tsinan, and regions in Chekiang are not in the war-zone, and I have mailed the magazine to them directly from here. Brother Chang will leave for the southwestern part of the country within a week. Brother Yuen left for Kwangchow the night before last. I heard that he will not return to Hankow for another few months. I will write more later.
A weak member in the Lord,Lan Tsi-yiDecember 24[Address omitted]
My beloved sister in the Lord:
I received your letter dated August 30 and the Shanghai local newsletter yesterday. My heart was truly rejoicing in the faithfulness of the Lord. Since the news came about the war in Shanghai, I have been praying earnestly before the Lord that He would preserve His children in Shanghai, northern China, and along the coast just as He has preserved His chosen people in the past. Sometimes I felt that the Lord touched me to fast and pray. Thank Him that every time I went to Him and committed you to Him, my heart was at peace. It is a pity that there will be so many refugees wandering in tribulation. It would be wonderful if some could seize the opportunity to preach the gospel to them.
Recently, I have felt that the Lord's coming will not be delayed. I have been considering my future, whether I should drop my teaching job to serve Him full-time or serve Him the same way I am doing. Of course, the best way is to walk according to the Lord's will. Please pray for this. Southeast Asia, like all other places, has the need for workers to go forth to be thrust into the harvest. Sister Fang Chiung-ying desires to come here, but she must have a job before she can have an entry permit. If she applies for a tourist visa (which is good only for six months), it will be much easier. If anyone wants to work, he or she must have another co-worker to work together with him or her. Because of the war, the price of rubber here dropped by fifty percent during the first half of the year. The school has announced that the New Year recess will start on December 15. The Lord willing, by then I will go to Sarawak (the capital) to preach the gospel. That place is very dark. I have indeed worked less this term than last term, but the school owes me quite a sum of salary. Please give my greetings to Sister Wang, Sister Chang, and many sisters whom I know (Isa. 41:10, 13; 28:16; 26:12; 12:2-3). The Lord's grace be with you.
Sister Hwang Bi-gweEvening, October 14[Address omitted]
Dear sisters in the Lord:
The purpose of my writing this letter is to tell you how much we have been praying for the brothers and sisters in Shanghai! You have been on our hearts and in our thoughts! Although I have not yet written to you, I have never forgotten about you. I think of you all the time. May this letter bring my love and prayer to you. The Lord is your life, and He will protect you under the shadow of His wings so that you will prevail over everything. Psalm 91 is indeed written for you! Is it not? I am now attending the co-workers' meeting in Scotland. Many of the attendants are the Lord's servants from various countries. The Holy Spirit released many profound messages through Mr. Sparks. How I wish that you could hear them! We hope that Mr. Nee can be here by the beginning of September. I hope that I can meet him in London and have him stay at my house. I cannot greet the saints one by one by name in this letter, but every one of you is most precious in the Lord. In the name of the Lord whom we all love, I greet you. We all share the same life in Him! This letter shows you the oneness that is in the Body of Christ. Although you are in China and we are in England, our spiritual life makes us one Body in Christ. May the Lord bless you and preserve you, and may He shine His light upon you now and forever! Please give my special regards to dear Miss Lee and the sisters who are staying with her. Greet the brothers in the Lord!
Your sister in the Lord,Lai-en-shi
Dear Sister X in the Lord:
Thank God that He has led Ju-ru (Mrs. Zhao) to Ch'eng-tu safely. Last night the brothers and sisters broke bread and remembered the Lord in my home. There were twenty-three people, with a few brothers and sisters absent. We have decided to meet every Thursday afternoon at four for prayer in two locations: Mrs. Shen's home and at Shi-Sheng-Tze. On the Lord's Day we have the general meeting at 3 p.m. for the preaching of the gospel and for meetings on the overcoming life. The place is at Mrs. Shen's house. From 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., we have the bread breaking meeting in my house. Brother Rue-tze conducted a conference at the West China University last Lord's Day with much blessing from the Lord. Please pray much for the meetings here so that the Lord would open the door of the gospel. The girl students at the university indeed need the gospel. Mrs. Shen's home is an excellent place prepared by God for this work. I hope that you can come soon. The house we rented is very spacious, and there is a place for you. Please inform me as soon as the Lord frees you to come so that I may meet you at the train station. How is Brother Chang Yu-zhi's illness? May we pray in one accord for him. May the Lord bless you. Greetings to Miss Lee, Miss Chang, Mrs. Yuen, Sister Hsieh, Mrs. Lee, Brother Chang, and Brother Keh.
Brother in the Lord, Zhao Rue-tzeSister in the Lord, Zhao Ju-ruDecember 26[Address omitted]
Sister X:
At the beginning of last month, I heard that planes bombed Ning-Po. Because my mother and my two sons were there, I had to leave Shanghai to see them. But after arriving in Ning-Po, the coastal regions were blocked off, and I could not return to Shanghai. Communication did not resume until three weeks later. Although the city is no longer as busy as it was before the bombing, the situation is much better than at the time of the bombing. Thank the Lord! Although my mother and my two sons suffered much shock, they are safe. They do not want to come to Shanghai, and they have decided to move to the countryside for now. Although this cannot guarantee their safety, it is nevertheless more peaceful than in the city. In the city there are air raid sirens every day; one does not find this in the countryside. On the third of this month I left Ning-Po for Shanghai and arrived in Shanghai on the fourth. All the brothers and sisters in Shanghai are well. Please do not worry. The number in the meeting has dropped greatly. Some have left because of their jobs; some have left because they lost their jobs, but God has preserved the brothers and sisters here. May the Lord be merciful to us, and may He grant grace to afford much opportunity for many to hear the gospel. The Lord's grace be with you.
Brother Lin Kwang-biaoDecember 8[Address omitted]
(1) Mr. Watchman Nee has been busy in various places for the work. Presently, he is traveling between Hankow, Canton, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. In the near future he may go to K'un-ming or England. Therefore, beginning with Issue No. 3, I will take his place as the editor. Although Mr. Nee still bears the responsibility of this publication, I cannot shrink from any blame for any imperfections that may appear during this period of substitution.
(2) Since I have to take charge of this publication, and since the war has made conditions so critical, I will try my best to publish news about the work and about the church, beginning with Issue No. 3. We can only wait for a later date to publish articles on the principles of the work. The "Question and Answer" column will have to be postponed. If we receive any questions, we will save the answers for these questions for later issues.
(3) Beginning with Issue No. 2, we have used #5 characters. If anyone cannot read it because of poor eyesight, we hope that others can read it to him and update him this way.
(4) The whereabouts of the co-workers are limited to what we know. We advise the co-workers to tell us ahead of time or as they travel concerning their itinerary so that we may publish them accordingly.
(5) Please note that we have published the correspondence address of each writer at the end of almost every letter in order to facilitate communication and to help those who are seeking refuge to find the meeting places easily.
(6) The war zone is so wide and conditions change day by day. We therefore ask the brothers and sisters to pay attention to a few things:
(a) The co-workers, as well as many other saints, are very concerned and are very interested in knowing about the condition of individual brothers and sisters in and around the war zones! Please do your best to communicate your news to us. Letters are often delayed. It would be better if you could send us your report by express mail or airmail.
(b) In your letter you should clearly mark the date and the month. The address must be clearly legible. If you are in another province, clearly mark the name of the province where you are.
(c) As soon as you know of any change of address of any brother or sister, please inform us immediately, because we have no idea where the brothers and sisters have fled when fighting erupts. Once the news is cut off, we become very concerned. We also do not want to lose the mail by sending it to a wrong address.
(7) Presently, this publication is being compiled as we move around. It is still being printed and mailed out from Hankow. Those who want to subscribe to it should write directly to Hankow. Any news concerning the work or the churches should be sent to The Gospel Book Room, P. O. Box 84, Hankow. For the present time, if you send anything by airmail, you can send it to Mrs. Yuen in Chungking, who will transfer it to me.
(8) This issue was compiled at the end of December 1937. It will probably be published by the middle of January. All the dates and months, therefore, refer to the previous year. If possible, we hope to put out one issue per month this year.
Ruth Lee,New Year of 1938 in Chungking
(1) This publication is temporarily published in Hankow. We have reserved a post office box. In the future any news of the work or the churches or any subscription or questions should be sent directly to: Gospel Book Room, P. O. Box 84, Hankow.
(2) Presently, the post offices in Shanghai and Hankow do not accept bulky, printed material. No book or magazine can be mailed out as is. Furthermore, mail takes a great deal of time and can sometimes be lost. We hope that the brothers and sisters will accommodate this inconvenience!
(3) Although Issue Nos. 13 and 14 of The Christian are ready, we are still considering whether or not we should print them now because mail service is so unreliable and because many readers of The Christian have moved. As soon as the address of a reader changes, you should inform the Gospel Book Room in Shanghai, and when the magazine is published, we will send it to the correct address.
(4) Concerning the relief offering for the brothers and sisters who are in need due to the war, these funds are for all the places, not for Shanghai alone. The monies received in the past from all the churches have been distributed by Brother Watchman Nee and the co-workers. Although the amounts were not significant, they were better than nothing. Now the war zone has spread, and there are even more unemployed or dispossessed saints. We pray that the Lord will grant us more grace to care for the brothers and sisters in tribulation. If you want to send any money, please send it to Miss Ruth Lee, P. O. Box 84, Hankow.
The emphasis of The Open Door is on the gospel work in all the places. In this publication, we publish:
(1) Articles on the principle of the work
(2) News of the work
(3) News of the churches
Temporarily we are situated in Hankow. We may move at any time. Our correspondence address is Gospel Book Room, P. O. Box 84, Hankow, for as long as the mail route to Hankow is clear. This publication is not for sale. We look to the Lord to supply all the needs.
We printed a little over a thousand copies for our first issue. We apologize for not being able to meet any back orders. We have increased the number of copies in Issue No. 3 to six thousand. Those who want it should write to us, and we will send it to you.
