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At present Brother Hsu and I are still conducting evangelistic work around Yeh-Ji. Since January of this year, both rain and snow have been heavy. Even birds have disappeared from the mountains. The route through which we will travel into Sikang and Tibet is blocked, and trade caravans have been halted due to the rebellion of the Yi tribesmen in Deh-Chin County. (Deh-Chin is also called Ah-Dun-Chi; it is a five-day journey from Yeh-Ji in the northernmost county of Yunnan province, with a population consisting entirely of Sikang natives.) We dare not advance now because preparations are not fully ready. The upper tributary of the Nu River goes through the west side of Yeh-Ji, climbing over the mountain to Gung-Shan County. This was an area where I did some evangelistic work last year, with over a thousand people saved. If one travels upstream along the Nu River for five or six days, he will come to Cha-Wa-Rung, which is under Tibetan jurisdiction. I estimate that we will not be able to cross the snowy mountain ranges until the fifth month of the Chinese calendar. Brother Hsu and I intend to take this route to enter Tibet first. From there, we will travel to Sikang. Our departure is getting nearer. Presently, my family is at peace through the Lord's grace. The construction of the house will soon be complete. If other brothers come and visit us, we will have a place to lodge them.
A brother in the Lord,Hu Yi-min and wife, Yang Shu-jenMay 9 in Yeh-Ji
It would be wonderful if Brother Chang Tze-jieh could come and work together with us here. I hope that he can come soon. I have written him a letter but have not received his reply. I am making some progress in learning the Tibetan language. By the time I go with Brother Hu to preach the gospel in Sikang, I believe this labor will reap a reward. My wife and two children are often sick because of maladjustment to the environment. They may have to go to K'un-ming, or they may go with me. I look to the Lord for His arrangement. If I go with Brother Hu on our evangelistic travel, it will take at least two or three months, or even half a year, before we can come back to see our family. Hence, it will be more or less the same for them if they stay here or move to K'un-ming.
Your brother in the Lord,Hsu Jung-jieh and wife, Sien-yunMay 9
Brother Chen Hsi-wen and I left Shi-Ping on May 2, arriving in Mong-Tze on the third. We conducted outdoor evangelistic work for half a day on the fourth. A shopkeeper, coolie, and railway worker were particularly touched to receive the Lord. On the afternoon of the fourth, we traveled from Mong-Tze to Bi-Se-Zhai (north of Mong-Tze at the junction of the Yunnan-Vietnam Route and the Ku-Bi-Shi Road). We unexpectedly met Brother Yin and his family. Brother Chou Hung-bao and Brother Lin Yau-huei's mother also arrived from Ho-Kou. We took the train together and arrived in K'un-ming in the afternoon. In our travels, we found many difficulties in the pioneering work in the remote border regions. Except for the Lord's special grace, we would have had no way to start any work. Some of the difficulties included:
(1) Traveling: There is the danger of robbers and bandits. (The train along Ku-Bi-Shi Road was raided not long ago, and quite a number of people died or were wounded.) Entering into the inland regions is not only difficult but also time consuming. Most of the brothers and sisters living in the villages are poor, and it is advisable to bring more cash when traveling. There is a constant threat of robbers. Hence, there is the need for faith in the Lord.
(2) Preaching: Other than outdoor evangelistic preaching, it is difficult to gather a congregation because the folks here do not have the habit of meeting. Most of the audience are farmers and illiterate people. They do not understand Mandarin easily. As soon as we use more sophisticated terms, they become lost. The meetings of the local church are not conducted on a punctual basis because most of the believers do not have watches or clocks. There are delays from one to two hours. It is difficult to explain the deeper truths unless we find suitable, simple words or parables from the Lord. (Some think that it does not take any great gift to work in the villages or the inland regions. Actually, it takes as much gift and power to preach to illiterate sinners as it does to preach to believers.) According to my experience, working in the villages is more difficult than working in the cities. The co-workers who have been working in the cities should come to the rural areas to learn about rural life and to make friends with the rural folks. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to see any result. (This, of course, refers to the practical aspects of human affairs.)
(3) The church: Most people are illiterate, and it is difficult for them to read the Bible. Most of the residents in the inland regions are also prejudiced against outsiders. They often disrupt us using a variety of means.
(4) Outdoor evangelistic meetings: When we pioneered in different places, the Lord gave us the strength to have the boldness to engage ourselves in outdoor evangelistic preaching in the markets and populous places. According to our natural constitution, we are shy. Many people thought that we were native medicine men or street magicians. Whenever we went out, we prayed for the Lord to give us the strength to speak His gospel boldly. We saw evidence of the Lord's grace every time, proving that the gospel has the power to save all those who believe. We witnessed some immediately receiving the Lord every time.
The following are the advantages of outdoor preaching: (1) It enables sinners to hear the gospel who otherwise could not come or would not have the opportunity to come to the meeting place. It affords them a chance to hear and receive the gospel. (2) Those who are moved can be quickly introduced to the meetings of the local church. (3) It is economical. Any vacant land under the sky can serve as our preaching ground. There is no need for rent or seating. According to our experience, most people can stand for an hour without walking away. We can conduct these meetings any time and in any place; there is no limitation of time and space. This time we prepared many gospel charts and short choruses. As soon as we hung up the charts and sang the choruses, many sinners were attracted to us and listened to us. (Trumpets, accordions, or bells are also good for attracting the crowds.) Usually two or three of us take turns speaking, and the audience also rotates. We have started this kind of work in K'un-ming already. The co-workers here had the first co-workers' meeting in my house on the eleventh of last month. We encouraged and edified each other in the Lord, discussed matters related to the work, considered the problems, and gave ourselves to prayer. We have set aside every Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock for this kind of meeting.
K. H. WeighJune 6 in K'un-ming
Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord:
Since Brother Weigh and Brother Chen returned to K'un-ming, I have conducted a few Bible studies with the brothers and sisters in Shi-Ping concerning the subject "Standing Fast in the Lord." The church in Shi-Ping has been suffering some disturbance lately. Thank the Lord that the disturbance taught His children some lessons. On May 13 I went to Ku-Jiu for the second time and conducted a seven-day Bible study. Because of the rain, we could not engage in any outdoor evangelistic work. During the day, we did some personal visitations. The railway company here has a Mr. Wong and Mr. Fung, who have become desirous of the truth as a result of Brother Kung's testimony. A group of brothers who are materially poor have been dealt with in the matter of life. Now they are reading the Bible and praying in the house of Brother Ruan. On the twenty-third of this month, I went by train to Mong-Tze, and I will spend a week for the work here. In the daytime I preach outdoors, and in the evening I have Bible study meetings in a Gospel Chapel. (This chapel was rented by a few believers who have invited me to use their place.) Greetings in the Lord.
A weak brother in the Lord,Lin Kwang-tsaoMay 25 at 28 Da-Jing Street, Mong-Tze
On May 30, after returning from Mong-Tze to Shi-Ping, I conducted a few more days of Bible studies. Later, because of my burden for Jien-Shui, I left Shi-Ping and went there. Prior to my arrival, Brother Kung in Ku-Jiu asked the midwife of the Jien-Shui Health Clinic, Miss Kuo Chia-ai, to recommend a place for me to stay. After my arrival, it was recommended that I stay in the guard house of a mansion. I felt an unspeakable pressure upon me as if I were sick. The guards were talking about bandits who had raided the city the previous day at a location not far from where I lodged. I wanted to go home. Suddenly, I felt that I should pray, and I rejected all these thoughts in the name of the Lord. Thank the Lord that He released me. Later, I visited Miss Kuo (a member of a Methodist church) and met with the director of the clinic, Mr. Chou Je-min (a native of Anhwei province and an Episcopalian). He was willing to give me an opportunity to conduct a Bible study in his clinic. The first night I preached the gospel at the guard house. The second night we moved to the department building. We had a Bible study every evening until the thirteenth. As soon as we awakened some to seek after the Lord, people came from Mong-Tze and spoke to Director Chou for the purpose of chasing us away. Thank the Lord that Chou was not affected, and we conducted another Bible study on the fifteenth. On the sixteenth we returned to Shi-Ping. I really hope that the Lord will send you to work together with me in Yi-Nan. Please pray for us.
Brother in the Lord,Lin Kwang-tsaoMay 17 in Shi-Ping
Brother Chou Hung-bao was led by God last month to work in a place in Yi-Dung called Luh-Liang (bringing along his family). Sister Chen Hwei-sien went along also. While they were on their way late one night, God miraculously led them through the dark night by the illumination of lightning. Brother Chou said that he had never in his life felt the lightning to be as precious as on that night. They arrived at a little inn a little past nine, and rain began to pour down heavily after supper. In Luh-Liang God prepared a nice house for them with eight rooms upstairs and downstairs. The monthly rent was only three dollars. We are told that the people here are very desirous of the Lord's Word. Recently the postmaster and his wife received the Lord. Thank the Lord that He has opened the door for preaching.
Brother Chou Kang-yao and his wife will soon work in Chu-Jing. Recently there was a Mr. Chou in K'un-ming who was an instructor in the Air Force. He hurt his leg and was hospitalized in Hwi-Dian Hospital. Through Brother Chou Kang-yao's preaching, God saved him during his three months of suffering. On September 16 he was baptized into Christ. His testimony moved many. He said that if God wanted him to be a preacher, he was willing to do so. May the Lord personally lead him on in the way ahead.
Hwang TsungJune 18, Customs Department, K'un-ming, Yunnan
Sister Yu and I went to Tang-Chi and preached the gospel for three days (twice a day). This town is ninety Chinese miles from K'un-ming. Most of the people are Buddhists. Previously, they were very antagonistic towards Christianity. One preacher was driven out of the town by them. At the beginning of March, while we were preaching the gospel in K'un-ming, an older lady received the Lord. She had been a Buddhist for over thirty years. After she received the Lord, she dropped her vegetarian diet as well as her opium. She begged Sister Yu and I to visit her hometown of Tang-Chi to preach the gospel there. We knew that God wanted us to go, and we went. Originally, we intended to go only for a day. But after we arrived, the Lord had sovereignly arranged everything. Her oldest son was the district chief of the town, and her third son was the principal of the elementary school. They prepared a classroom in the school (which could hold over three hundred people) for us to preach the gospel. Thank the Lord, most of the people in the town eventually heard the gospel. (The whole town has about five hundred households.) Many received the Lord. Sister Yu and I are very busy, and the work is hectic. We have gospel meetings in the sisters' homes. Every Monday we have a Bible study and prayer meeting in one sister's house, and every Saturday we preach to some young believers in another sister's house to help them know the Lord more and to pray. Thank and praise the Lord, He has granted us an open door even in this place. The Lord willing, Sister Yu and I will go to Tang-Chi again soon. Perhaps we will also go to Luh-Liang. After we become clear in our prayer, we will proceed. (We heard that Brother Chou Hung-bao has arrived in Luh-Liang and has started open air evangelistic meetings.)
A sister in the Lord,Rachel LeeJune 4, in K'un-ming, Yunnan
As to my future, I realize before the Lord that I have to stay in Tientsin for a longer period of time. I do not know whether I have understood God's will correctly. The Lord has been leading me to see that His humility and submission are beyond understanding. If there is anything wrong, I pray that God would be merciful and correct me, and I ask also that you instruct me. As for the sisters, I have concentrated on their spiritual condition and have not stopped them from their former activities. I do this so that they may develop something by themselves. Once a week I pray with a few sisters. During the week I also study the Bible with some sisters and unbelievers. In addition, I have been making some personal contacts. Brother Lee Bih has returned to Tientsin. I heard that Brother Witness Lee will come to Tientsin soon. We are waiting for him to come and help us. A few sisters from the Evangelistic Band have come to join us in the Lord's table at No. 82.
Sister Liu Hwei-fenMay 10, in Tientsin
Before the turmoil, my father, Brothers Chi and Chiu, and I went to Dah-Chiao, Ma-Bao, Chu-Jia-Kou, Ke-Jia-Juang, Ma-Chang, Lian-Shui, Chang-Jia-Wah, etc., to visit the churches and to relate to them the principles of the work and also some of the news concerning the churches in northern Kiangsu. In particular we thank the Lord that the church in Dah-Chiao was revived and that the men He uses were also revived. That meeting is held in a remote village with over thirty people meeting. The Lord is the Savior and worthy to be exalted. Presently, seven people have been baptized. The meeting in Chien-Ji in north Lian-Shui has also seen the Lord's blessings. There are over twenty new believers at present.
Wu Ming-hui
After I arrived in Shanghai, I intended to rest, but the work before me forced me to put myself to work. Thank the Lord that He has given me the necessary strength. The meeting here is under God's grace. The sisters are living and fresh, and the brothers are improving. A few brothers who were cold are now warmed up, and a few who were hardened are now softened by the Lord's love. We are waiting for a great revival. Brother Yu Cheng-hwa is burdened to finish the translation of the autobiography of Madam Guyon so that it can be printed. Brother Chang Kwang-rong is in Shanghai. He loves the Lord very much. The Lord willing, he and I will leave Shanghai in the near future to visit brothers and sisters elsewhere.
Brother in the Lord,Tang Shou-lingJune 1
Since I returned to Shanghai, my health has not been good; I have had two episodes of malaria attacks. The doctor examined my lungs and said that I have chronic pleurisy. Because there was no suitable place to rest at home, I stayed in the hospital for eight days. The doctor only gave me some tonic food supplements for my pleurisy and something to help me sleep. Humanly speaking, this is a chronic illness. I do not know what God's will is. May the Lord be gracious to me so that I do not become loose or lazy and so that I know what to do on my bed. Please pray for me. For a few months I have been burdened in my heart to compile a daily reading that contains a verse from the Scriptures and some words of exposition, which can be attached to a calendar. I have made some preparations, but I realize that this is not an easy task. I hope that some brothers and sisters will have the burden to write something, and I will compile them together. There is no limit to the number of words; it can be three or four hundred words. After we have decided on the content, we will do the editing. If the writings are too long, we can print only the verses on the calendar and put the exposition in another book. Do you think that this is a good idea? May the Lord grant the brothers and sisters the burden, and please put the matter in your prayer.
Brother Chou Shing-yiMay 26
A calendar with daily readings would surely be beneficial to the believers, but I do not know what Brother Chou's emphasis is. I will only say a few things for his consideration.
(1) Rather than saying that you have a verse and an exposition, it is probably better to say that you have a verse and a little portion. The little portion can be a testimony, a story, a parable, or some words of comfort, encouragement, exhortation, and remembrance for the purpose of stirring up zeal or love or for the building up of faith or godliness. Even if it is some kind of exposition, it should be for the nourishment of life and should be something that can be put into practice. Even if it does mention a subject like the rapture or the kingdom, its emphasis should not be on knowledge but on preparing others to meet the Lord and to seek after our kingship with Him. Mere intellectual exposition, even if clear, logical, and accurate, will not create in the readers a hunger after righteousness or an urge to beseech Him on their knees.
(2) There should not be too many words for each portion. If a daily portion is too long, it will not only confuse the simple ones but also be a headache for typesetting. The suggestion of putting the exposition in a book if it is too long misses the goal of the daily reading. The intention of such a calendar is to provide something that catches people's eyes, without them having to spend much time in reading it. Therefore, the ideal length would be one page per day. If there are too many words, we can use smaller type, and if the words are few, we can change to larger type. In either case we should cover each day with only one page.
(3) The style should be simple and sincere. The worst kind of writing is that which does not say anything, that "moans without sickness," that plays with words or expressions. For example, if the text is 2 Corinthians 12:9, we can use the story of the brother who applied the truth of this verse. Or if the text is John 3:16 and the emphasis is receiving eternal life through faith, we can put in the salvation story of Mr. Chapman. If the text is "Do not be slothful in zeal," we can say something like, "Just as a lazy man cannot be saved, so also a lazy believer cannot grow." However, in quoting stories or sayings of famous men, we must be accurate. Anything we quote from memory is likely to contain mistakes. If someone has passed through a crisis with the assistance of a verse, he can write a short testimony based on that verse. Of course, the words simple and sincere are easy to say but hard to pen. The only thing we can do is pray and carefully consider as we work, but not be careless and slovenly.
(4) We also need to make some decisions as to the format of the layout. If the topics are to be cyclical, we should lay out the subjects, assign certain days to them, and put them out in cycles of days. If there is to be a special line, such as an emphasis on the overcoming life, we need to put out related verses consecutively for a number of days and arrange them according to some kind of order. The format also can be completely random. The most important thing is to be living and fresh and not legal. The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. We have to pray while we work. Anything that is not produced from the Spirit is not spiritual and will not affect the spirits of others. Anything that is not from heaven will not receive blessings from heaven and will not lay up fruit in heaven. May the One who started this work in your heart also accomplish it.
Ruth LeeJune 29, in Wan County
We have completed five evenings (June 13-17) of meetings here (at 4-3 Chang's Garden). There was much blessing from the Lord. Some sisters have truly advanced in prayer. Soon we may have a gospel meeting in Chang's Garden.
Brother Chang Yu-zhiJune 18
If the Lord so leads, I will go to Ch'eng-tu for a rest. Presently, I have been providing hospitality for the brothers and sisters and also taking care of some literature work. Perhaps I will still help to translate the The Dynamics of Service. Therefore, I am afraid to travel in the next three weeks. A few days ago I spoke with Brother Ke. On his way home, he stayed in a hotel in Shiaoshing where he was interrogated by military police. The letter of recommendation which he carried gave him some trouble. The military police did not understand terms such as "the meetings in various places" or "the Lord's table"; they thought that our brother was in some kind of secret society. Fortunately, God sent a nephew of his, whom he had not seen for seven years and who happened to be working there, and the matter was settled in peace. I feel that we should consider how we write the letter of recommendation in the future.
Brother Chang Yu-zhiJune 22
(Perhaps in the future in writing letters of recommendation, we should add the words in Christ after the word brother so that others will know that we are Christians. It is also not too proper to put "those meeting in the Lord's name" in the signatory. It is better to explicitly say, "the church in such and such a place." In principle we should make it as plain as possible — Editor.)
During the past two months, God has granted us grace in the churches in Wu-ch'ang and Hankow. First, He has perfected many believers in quietness to grow in life. Second, He has been saving sinners apart from our scheduled works. Third, He has opened many doors for the work. The more we see that we are useless and powerless, the more we see His work. He teaches us that hidden prayers are more important than quick-paced work. Gradually I have come to know Him as the Lord of the work and the working Lord! May glory be to His name!
Lan Tsi-yiMay 23
We see God's grace in the work in Bai-Sha-Jou. The chief nurse of the hospital (a brother) has found a house. Brother Chen Yuen-sin has moved in with another brother. Some of the wounded soldiers have received the Lord, and even some officers have asked for gospel booklets and Bibles. God has shown me day by day that nothing is greater or more important than prayer.
Lan Tsi-yiJune 3
Brother Suen Chi-sien wrote me twice from Ch'ang-sha. I can tell from the letters that he has a deeper contact with the Lord. He often goes with Brother Kuo Bu-yueh and Paul Tsao to visit the sick soldiers in the hospital in Ch'ang-sha, and the Lord has used them.
Lan Tsi-yiJune 24
Malaysia is a vast land. Although there are meetings in Sitiawan, Penang, and Singapore, so far they have been very conservative and have not done much outreach. Not only is there no preaching of the gospel in the various provinces, but the footsteps of the gospel messengers have not even touched these thousands of villages. Last year when Mr. Nee (Watchman) came and inspected all these places, he saw the need of the work in Southeast Asia. When Mr. Faithful Luk came, he concentrated mainly on Singapore and the few places around Singapore. Now God has begun His work in the meeting in Singapore, and the number of saved ones has drastically increased. Malacca and Yung-Ping Harbor had some seeds sown through men coming from Chuanchow and Singapore. When Mr. Luk went there for his pioneering work, a meeting was started in Malacca. Yung-Ping Harbor also began to have a meeting. The door to Ma-Po has also opened. Mr. Wilson Wong went to Sitiawan and started a Bible study two weeks ago this past month. There are still many places without any work yet. Please pray to the Lord to send men to work in all these places.
A weak brother,Chang Nai-tsung, April 20[Address omitted]
I heard that Surabaya started the Lord's table on May 22 to remember the Lord. Yung-Ping Harbor rented a place for meeting, and some were baptized. It so happened that Brother Leland Wang was on his way there for his work. On that Lord's Day, these ones were baptized and they began to break bread. Last week Brother Wang Tsi came to Singapore to conduct a few meetings, and the opportunities were great. This week we are having our meetings in the Gospel Hall, and every night the seats are filled. Praise the Lord for His grace! This Thursday I intend to go to Penang because the brothers have been inviting me for a long time. May the Lord preserve the work there. Please pray for me.
Faithful LukMay 25
(1) Brother Watchman Nee arrived safely in London in May. Presently, he is conducting meetings in Scotland. Miss Fischbacher and Miss Deck are all with Brother Sparks. Brother Nee's correspondence address in England is: Mr. W. Nee, c/o 13 Honor Oak Road, London S.E. 23, England.
(2) Brothers Faithful Luk is in Singapore. [Address omitted]
(3) Brothers Hsu Jung-jieh and Hu Yi-min will travel from Tibet to Sikang. [Address omitted]
(4) Brothers K. H. Weigh and Chen Hsi-wen have returned to K'un-ming. [Address omitted]
(5) Brother and Sister Chou Kang-yao will move from K'un-ming to Chu-Jing.
(6) Sisters Yu Shu-jen and Rachel Lee will travel to Luh-Liang. [Address omitted]
(7) Brother Chou Hung-bao and his family and Sister Chen Hwei-sien have moved from K'un-ming to Luh-Liang. [Address omitted]
(8) Brother Kuo Bu-yueh is now in Ch'ang-sha. [Address omitted]
(9) Brother Liu Ai-wu is now in Ch'ang-sha. Physically he needs a period of rest. (His family has moved to Yi-Yang.) [Address omitted]
(10) We heard that Brother Han Fu-shen will move from Ch'ang-Teh to Yi-Yang for a few months rest. [Address omitted]
(11) The letter of Brother Chang Tse-jieh said that he has been in Chefoo for two weeks and will soon travel to Tsingtao. [Address omitted]
(12) Brother Witness Lee wrote on June 10, "The Lord willing, I will travel to Peking and Tientsin because of the urgent need of the work there." [Address omitted]
(13) Brother Hwa Shi-bin has been working for three months in Hwang-Yen, Wen-Ling, Rue-An, Ping-Yang, and the Wenchow area. Now he is back in Ning-Hai (according to his letter on May 17). [Address omitted]
(14) Brothers Chen Chin-fa and Hwang Li-chuan went to Taichow, Wen-Ling, and Shi-Tang in Chekiang province and had a meeting. [Address omitted]
(15) Brother David Hsu was in Rue-An, Ping-Yang, and Foo-Ding visiting the brothers. He is working in Ping-Yang and Nan-Gang with Brother Chou Da-ching. Soon he will return to rest in Hu-Shan (according to a letter from Chen and Hwang in early June). [Address omitted]
(16) Chang Kwang-rong and Tang Shou-ling will leave Shanghai to visit brothers in various places. (Brother Tang left on June 28 and arrived in Ch'ang-sha on July 8.) [Address omitted]
(17) Brother Chou Shing-yi has left the hospital and is resting in Shanghai. [Address omitted]
(18) Sister Miao Yun-chun is in Shanghai. She hopes to go to the north in early July and arrive by October. [Address omitted]
(19) Brother Wu Ming-hui may go to Tai County. [Address omitted]
(20) Sister Liu Hwei-fen wrote on May 10 that she will stay for a long period in Tientsin. [Address omitted]
(21) Brother James Chen left Swatow on June 1 and is now in Kulangsu. [Address omitted]
(22) Brother Chang Yu-zhi traveled on June 3 from Tse-Liu-Jing to Chungking. [Address omitted]
(23) Sisters Ruth Lee, Peace Wang, and Phoebe Chang are still in the villages in Wan County. They will probably leave for Chungking at the beginning of August. [Address omitted]
(24) Brother Philip Luan may travel in the middle of July to Kwangsi to visit the brothers. [Address omitted]
(25) Brother Lan Tsi-yi is still in Hankow. [Address omitted]
(26) Brother Lin Kwang-tsao is now in Shi-Ping. [Address omitted]
(27) Sister Chen Wan-ching is now is Kulangsu. [Address omitted]
(28) Brother Wang Deng-ming is now in Tung-An. [Address omitted]
(29) Brother Stephen Kaung has finished his work in Macao and Chungshan and returned in July to Shanghai. [Address omitted]
(Wan County, July 1 — The above list includes only those names with whom we have had correspondence in this issue. Those who have not corresponded with us are not recorded here. A few of God's servants have told us of their whereabouts through letters written to others, and we have printed short excerpts of them elsewhere in this magazine. May more people make supplications for them, and may the Lord bless them. Their whereabouts are not listed in this column — Editor.)
Brothers taking pilgrimage in Hankow:
Recently I read from The Open Door (which I borrowed from others) about the work and the situations in various places. I could not help but thank and praise the Lord! We began to meet in 1935. At that time we only acted according to what we saw to be His commandment. Actually, we did not have the leading of the Holy Spirit, and everything was legal and dead. Yet we were still satisfied in ourselves and thought that we were doing the right thing. But today we have to say how poor and pitiful we were! Thank the Lord that He loves us. Just as He delivered us from death, He is able to deliver us from the letter into the Spirit. From the light in the book Rethinking Our Work (The Normal Christian Church Life), we clearly saw how much we had restricted and limited Him. Therefore, we sing a song of thanksgiving on the one hand, and say, in sorrow, "Lord, there is no goodness within us" on the other hand. We can only say, "Lord, You have graced us and granted mercy to us. You are truly man's perfect Savior!" Greetings in the Lord.
Your small brothers,Hau Jan-ge, Fu Chung-tsou, Kwan Yu-nong[Address omitted]
Dear workers at the Gospel Book Room:
Peace from the Lord! Through His grace I have read in The Open Door of the work in various places and the situation of the various local churches. I cannot help but prostrate myself before God and exalt His greatness, rejoicing for our brothers and sisters who have received grace. I ask God and beseech Him earnestly with tears that in these quickly passing days He would reveal His Son more deeply in our hearts so that we would realize the cross's way of loss, suffering, and loneliness. This is the God-ordained way for us on earth. After we have suffered these temporary sufferings, we will receive the unfading inheritance that is reserved for us in heaven. Please send us The Open Door according to our subscribed number of copies so that our burden may be increased by knowing of the needs of the co-workers and brothers and sisters in the various places and so that we may enjoy more of the glorious privilege before God's mercy seat. May God bless everything recorded in this magazine, and may the readers receive its help. Peace to you in the Lord. Greet the church of God in Hankow.
Yours who have receivedthe same heavenly calling in Christ,Wu Tsia-teh,April 21[Address omitted]
I attended a prayer meeting at 82 Yau-Hwa Lane. I have also met with Brother Hsia and talked with him briefly. He is doing very well. This Lord's Day I will break bread at Yau-Hwa Lane and fellowship with the Lord's children there. I was delayed in going to Peking because of the excellent chance of preaching the gospel, but the most important reason is that I wanted very much to see Brother Witness Lee. He is not in Tientsin, but he will come soon. I have to ask and learn from Brother Witness concerning many principles in the work.
Yu-shu,May 12, Tientsin
(This brother is a co-worker of Brother Wang Ming-dao — Editor.)
Dear Brother Bu-yueh:
Since the coup last year, we have been under God's protection and care. Even though the situation was extremely tense, we felt God's messengers pitching tents around us and protecting us. We did not leave our dwelling and did not stop our meeting. When you see this letter, you should praise the Lord for us.
This year I was led by the Lord to go to Si-Tang, Dah-Tung, for a month and to Tso-Yun for more than ten days. I have the intention to go to Dong-Tang, Dah-Tung, and perhaps to regions around Tien-Tsen and Yang-Gao. It will be up to the Lord's leading. Please pray much for me.
Your brother,Suen Rong, April 30[Address omitted]
Thank and praise the Lord! My wife and two children arrived safely three weeks ago from Hwai-Yuen, Anhwei, via Hsi-Chow. (We requested your prayer in Issue No. 5 of this magazine). While passing Hsi-Chow, a few dozen planes were conducting air raids. Many residents were killed or wounded. The sight was quite ghastly, but my wife and family were preserved. This has to be the special deliverance of the Lord! Along the way they witnessed the wonderful grace of the Lord, which was beyond what pen and ink can describe. We can only sing hallelujah and thanks to praise Him. A meeting was conducted here a month ago at the house of Sister Lee Kwei-rong in Dung-Kwan. The meeting stopped when Sister Lee moved to Tien-Shui. My family is temporarily sharing a room in Missionary Song's house (a Britain). I am asking friends to look for a place that can be used for our meeting as well as for my family's dwelling. Daily I commit this matter to prayer, and I ask that you pray for this matter also. Greetings in the Lord.
A weak brother,Liu Jih-wu, June 2[Address omitted]
On May 29 six brothers felt to be baptized, and we baptized them in the name of the Lord in a hot spring outside the city. The meeting that day was full of rejoicing. I know that our God in heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the angels rejoiced even more. I intended to go to Hankow at the beginning of June, but circumstances hindered me. It appears that I will be delayed. I cannot say for sure when I will arrive in Hankow. I await the Lord's provision in everything. I am forwarding X dollars to cover the expense of publishing The Open Door.
Your brother in the Lord,Tang Jing-hwa, June 5[Address omitted]
Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord:
I have received the various issues of The Open Door on time and have learned the recent news of the work. It has rendered great help to me. May glory be to the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb! Since the political change last winter, when Hung Dao School in Lu-Teng was disbanded, I returned to Shu County in Anhwei. Half a month later, I was led by the Lord to work with Mr. John Sung in Honan. I have been here for six months. (Mr. Sung has returned to Shanghai.) Although the churches have a few decades of history, they are still very immature. Please remember them much in your prayer.
Recently my spirit felt the need for evangelistic work in the remote border regions. I have had this desire for a long time but have never received God's clear light. I am hesitant to move presumptuously. May the Lord accomplish His will in this matter! Miss Peng Mei-fang and Missionary Song Bu-kwang have temporarily moved to the China Inland Mission in Yeh County and do not intend to go anywhere during the summer. Brother Peng Shao-shen has left Fang- Cheng to work with the China Inland Mission in Fu-Gou. Sister Lan Shou-lien is presently in Ji-Gung-Shan. Sister Lan Shou-pu has gone to Szechuan. Mr. and Mrs Kao Yu-shen are still working in Yeh County. They intend to return to England this winter. Brother Adeney has gone to work in Fang-Cheng. The few of us in the Evangelistic Crusade are still in Wu-Yang; we will not go anywhere during the summer. We also have Miss Riffel and Miss Miller with us, who have rendered us much help spiritually. I am enclosing a check of X dollars from the China Inland Mission, of which X dollars are from Mr. and Mrs. Kao Yu-shen. We want to give this small sum for use in evangelistic work in Yunnan province. It expresses our sympathy for the evangelistic work in remote border regions. Please remember my whole family in Shu County, Anhwei. I wanted to return home to take care of them, but the war has blocked our travel. Thank the Lord that He has comforted me. May the Lord strengthen the work in your hands, and may God establish them. Amen!
The least of all brothers in the Lord,Hwai-an, May 19[Address omitted]
Dear friends:
I am very grateful to you for sending me The Open Door issue by issue. Thank the Lord that He has shown you so many pathways. We were very glad to hear of the Lord's grace in Yunnan, and we pray to see greater works being done. While the gospel is gaining victory in China, we can prove that the Lord is real! We have also discovered that hungry hearts are ready to receive His salvation. We pray for you, and may you pray for us also. Enclosed please find X dollars for use in the work, and may the lines of your tents be extended and the stakes of all the work and life of all the workers be strengthened. Peace be to you!
Nancy B. GaursenMay 27
When the political situation was tense late last August, most of the residents were dispersed. Before my colleagues from my company left, they asked what I was going to do. I told them that I had not received a letter yet, meaning a letter from heaven. One morning in my morning watch, the Lord laid before me the story of Abraham praying for Sodom, and I immediately prayed for Tsingtao. After my prayer I felt very peaceful and believed that God had heard His child's prayer. By the end of November, the political situation changed, and my colleagues again asked me for my opinion. My answer was, "I will see after I have prayed." I was afraid to move presumptuously and lose my testimony. I laid the matter before the Lord and inquired of Him earnestly. Thank the Lord, He gave me a word: "Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee" (Gen. 26:3). Hallelujah! Since the Lord made such a promise, I did not leave Tsingtao. Brother Witness Lee is in Kao-Mi to work for a few days at the invitation of the brothers there; he will also pass by Tsingtao. We hope that we can have a few days of meeting with him. Please pray for us.
A small brother in the Lord,Lee She-sin, June 10[Address omitted]
As far as money is concerned, what God has given us is indeed rich. The question is whether or not we have managed it well. According to Brother Lou Chuan-en's letter, some at Sha-Di in Si-Shin are eating wheat husks, and the news was recorded in the Southeast Daily News. Comparatively, I am really well off among the brothers.
In Ji-An there are the China Inland Mission, the True Jesus Church, and the Seventh-day Adventists. I have visited them all. Four brothers have moved here, plus three others who have recently been baptized in Ji-An. There are seven sisters, and we meet once a week. I intend to have a Bible study while I am here. Prayer in one accord is very important. As long as there is one accord, two or three can stand.
A small brother in the Lord,Si Meng-yu, June 1[Address omitted]
Although no medicine or doctor can do my sickness any good, my heart is filled with hope and peace. The doctor dares not operate on me, which is the Lord's answer to my prayer. In order to operate on me and remove the pus in my lung, the doctor would have to remove two ribs. I prayed about this for a few days, and then the Lord gave me Psalm 34:19-20: "Many are the misfortunes of the righteous man,/But Jehovah delivers him from all of them./He keeps all his bones; /Not one of them is broken." Hallelujah! All His promises are yes in Christ. When I was discharged from the hospital, the fever went away. Although the swelling on the left side is a few times larger than before, faith does not see this, and it does not look to feelings. It has been ten days since I left the hospital, and my energy and strength are getting better. I do not know how to thank the Lord enough! This is an answer to the prayers of all the brothers and sisters everywhere. I have to thank them indeed. I do not intend to stay for a long time, but will go to Yi-Yang for a few months rest.
Han Fu-shenCh'ang-Teh, June 15
Brother Ji Dun-wu is temporarily staying at the Bible school. We are presently looking for a house for him. In the near future the matter will be settled. Since the twelfth, Brother Kuo has had eight days of conference meetings. Thank the Lord that the brothers and sisters were all edified, and the Lord's name was glorified. Sisters Liu Yi-ying and Hwang Shu-hsien are trying to get a ticket to go to Kuei-yang. Brother Chao Yung-chuen's family has come here and is staying at the meeting hall. We have found a house for him through the Church of Christ in China, and he will be moving there tomorrow. Han Ji-shin and Mrs. Shen left for Hong Kong on the seventeenth by car. Brother Ren, who came with Mrs. Weigh, is still weak; it is probably a case of fluid in the lungs, requiring a long period of rest. Suen and Chen are living in the meeting hall. Since the third floor of the meeting hall is so hot, we have rented two rooms behind Mrs. Chiang's house for the sisters to live in. Brother James Tien and his children are also living there. Yesterday, my wife and children left for Yi-Yang by steamer, and Brother Kuo Jen-yung and Mrs. Yang Dai are escorting them and caring for them. Thank the Lord that He cares for us even in the smallest things!
A few days ago I received a letter from Brother Tang Shou-ling saying that he will be able to visit us, although the soonest he can leave is the beginning of July. As far as hospitality is concerned, the leading we have received from the Lord is not to charge anything for any stay of less than a week. For those who stay more than a week, we will charge X cents per day and X dollars per month. We will receive it from those who are able to pay it and not charge those who cannot afford to pay it. Thank the rich and glorious Lord! He has provided us in the way that He has led us.
Through the Lord's protection, my health has been sustained. I am still learning the lesson of allowing God to do His own work. Although things are busy, the Lord is responsible for everything.
Brother Ai-wu,June 22,Ch'ang-sha
Thank and praise the grace of God for sending you to Ch'eng-tu. I do not know how your visit has affected others, but it has affected me very much. Since your coming, I feel all the more weak in myself. I have become fearful of what I was hitherto not fearful of, and I can no longer do what I thought I was able to do. Thank the Lord that whenever I am weak, He becomes strong. I boast in my weakness so that His power can overshadow me. On the morning of May 15, in a little river outside the village off from Dung-Men, nine sisters were baptized. Their testimonies were wonderful; the Lord alone has done this work. May He gain all the glory. My future has been announced by the Institute. The Lord has His will and His work in sending me here to Szechuan. I no longer dare to follow my own choice. I will go wherever He leads me, and I will take His way whatever the cost may be. I need your prayer so that I can render Him some joy in this end time. Vacation for the Institute begins in June, and at the latest in the middle of July, I will leave Ch'eng-tu to go to Chung-Ching-Jou. I will stay for a month and see how the Lord leads. My classmates, Lo Chung-sien, Dai Tsi-shun, Liu Ah-shu, Wang Tsi-gui, Hu Li-zhun, etc., send their greetings to you.
A small sister in the Lord,Lu Tsi-tsien, May 21
Recently I have been busy with the work in the Bureau. Most of my time is spent carrying out inspections outside the county. But thank the Lord that everything has been under His blessing. From July 1-10 there will be a Summer Bible School with Rev. Chen Chung-kwei, Rev. Tsia Yu-ming, Rev. Lin Jing-kang, and Rev. Tien Jing-hwa conducting the meetings. The location will be the Fang-Jeng Road High School. Please pray for this meeting.
Brother in the Lord, Chao Rue-tze, June 6[Address omitted]
Among all of God's children we have received more grace than others. Yet in His house, our response has been the opposite. How unfaithful we have been! May God deliver us from all slothfulness, vanity, and lack of care for others. We have four meetings a week. On Tuesday evening we preach the gospel at Brother Tien Bi-shen's house, which is mostly attended by men from the Anti-smoking Bureau. On Thursday evening we have a prayer meeting. For the sake of convenience, this meeting is held at Mrs. Shen's house in Nan-Tai and at Brother Tsao's house in Che-Ji-Shi. On Saturday evening a Bible study is held in Nan-Tai, while the bread-breaking meeting on the Lord's Day is held in Tze-Ji-Shi. Brother Chang Man-shih has passed through on his way to Jia-Ding to assume his post with the Anti-smoking Bureau. God has used our brothers who are employed by the Anti-smoking Bureau to do some work.
Brothers Wang Yung-gui and Ji Tsung-yu
On the Lord's Day, the sisters from West China University had a fellowship meeting at five o'clock in the morning. They studied the Word, sang, and prayed together. It was a sweet time.
Sister Chao Shu-yueh, June 6
Since your departure from Ch'eng-tu, I have been thinking much of you. Even though we are separated in the body, thank the Lord that we meet daily before the Lord's throne of grace. Last week Sisters Bi Yung-chin, Liao En-rong, and Liu Su-chin came back from Mien-Yang and related the wonderful work that is going on there. God's power has done this work. Praise the Lord that the busier we are, the more we see that only God is working; man is absolutely useless. Is Mrs. Yuen still in Chungking? I have sent her two letters but have not received any reply. How is the health of Brother Chang Yu-zhi? Please give him my greetings. May the Lord remind us to pray for one another.
A little sister in the Lord,Chang Yin-hwei, June 6
Thank our God because He bestows grace to His own at all times and in all places! Recently, I received a letter from Lin-Yi. It was from my brother and sister. Although their houses were burned, they were unharmed. My brother retreated with the staff of the post office to the rural countryside a few hours before the surrender of the city. My sister moved into the Lin-Yi Hospital, while my mother stayed in the church building. Except for a small part, the whole city of Lin-Yi was leveled. However, the church building was preserved. I see God's grace upon them! Since the Lord has preserved them on this earth, He will surely provide for their need. Today I received a postcard from Sister Chang Pei-ling. She is presently in Han-Tsung.
Sister Chiao Yu-yin, June 7[Address omitted]
Sisters Luh Tsi-tsien and Chang Chiang-sien are safe in Ch'eng-tu. After Sisters Bi, Liao, and Liu returned from Mien-Yang, they left for Mien-Tsu. Their health is not too good, but God has granted them enough grace, and their work has been blessed. Mrs. Gu has been doing very well recently. Since your departure, my health has not been good, and I have felt weak often. After Sister Chang Jiang-ngo finished her test, she examined me and moved in to care for me. This has been going on for more than a week already. This is the Lord's grace, and I thank the Lord for this!
Sister in the Lord,Shen Ma Min-shiu, June 16[Address omitted]
On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of last week, the brothers and sisters gathered together to pray in one accord. Praise the Lord, He has heard our call and has been with us. We truly have to praise Him! As a result we had three evenings of special conferences. Brother Yu was responsible for releasing some messages concerning the house of God. They covered how God loves His children, how believers should consecrate themselves, how we live as members of the Body, etc. We see the Lord beginning to work among us. God has indeed blessed us through these few meetings. Please remember us in your prayer so that the church can experience a great revival and every believer can have an excellent testimony to glorify the Lord!
Wu Yeu-an, Du Tsong-chen, Lin Kwang-biao, Yu Cheng-hwaMay 22[Address omitted]
The work among the sisters in Shanghai is being carried on as before. The brothers are also stirred up to preach the gospel once a week. The bread-breaking meeting has been divided into three locations: (1) Dr. Stearns' house; (2) Brother Luh Chien-ti's house; and (3) Wen-teh Lane. My future is not altogether decided. Peking, Amoy, and Hwang-Yen have all sent letters inviting me to stay with them for a while. The Lord willing, and if circumstances permit and no accident frustrates the way, I hope to go first to the north when the work here is completed by the beginning of July and then to go to the south by October. However, I do not have the approval of my aged mother yet.
Miao Yun-chun, Shanghai, June 9
Thank the Lord that He has delivered me from peril and has led me safely to Shanghai. I am very thankful for your prayer and that of the other brothers and sisters in the Lord. After Yi-Shing fell into the hand of the enemy, our whole family moved into the mountains. During the past half year, we have had no peace day and night. Many times we had to escape from one place to another. During the most dangerous period, we stayed for two nights in a valley, and one night we traveled several dozen Chinese miles. It was impossible to read the Bible. All we could do was pray. Thank the Lord that He brought His word to my memory: He will not forsake those who put their trust in Him, and He can do what is impossible for man to do. My heart was comforted, and I overcame the outward exile and suffering, fully believing that God would bring us out of our peril. Later, when the crisis was over, we returned to our homes only to find that parts of our homes were burned. We left the mountain homeland and migrated to another town called Jou Tieh-Chiao. On April 17 I hired a boat and went to Ch'ang-Yin-Sha with my sister Teh-jia. I boarded an American merchant steamer and arrived in Shanghai safely on the nineteenth. Teh-jia is employed in a hospital. I have not found a job, and I am staying at Shen's house, where Sister Wang Yi-ying was tutoring. I have tasted God's amazing grace this time and can only thank and praise Him. I am very happy because I have the opportunity once again to go to meetings.
Di Hwei-jia, May 3[Address omitted]
I left Nan-ch'ang on the thirteenth and arrived at Jin-Hwa on the evening of the fourteenth. On the sixteenth I arrived in Wenchow. Although there were many delays and difficulties during this portion of the journey, the Lord's grace has been sufficient for us, and we have been safe. We stayed in Wenchow for a few days because we had to wait for the boat. Through the Lord's care and arrangement, we stayed at a Brother Hwang's house. Brothers Ma Lung-rue, Chang Tsao-tung, Shiao Wen-bing, and my father were with me. Mrs. Hwang was very hospitable and demonstrated the love of Christ. I went to see Brother Pan Huo-ling. He is very weak and needs much prayer. May the Lord heal him. I also met Brother Chang and a few sisters. On the twentieth we boarded the boat in Wenchow, and on the morning of the twenty-second, we arrived safely in Shanghai. God has been gracious to us. Thank and praise Him! The brothers and sisters here are under God's protection, and every Thursday we have the brothers' and sisters' meetings.
Brother in the Lord,Yu Nan-geng, Shanghai, May 29
Since the capitulation of Tung-Ru, the churches in northern Kiangsu have been quite affected. The brothers and sisters in Tai County moved to the rural areas or neighboring villages for awhile. Thank the Lord that we have been under His blessing. Most of them have moved back recently, but a small number still remain in Yi-Lin. The biggest difficulty is unemployment among the brothers. Most of the brothers are blue-collar workers who have been laid off. Although some brothers have started businesses of their own, they are only loaves in the hands of the disciples. There is not enough for distribution. Please pray for us.
We have no news from the church in Dung-Tai. Both mail and sea communication have been cut off, and we do not know how the brothers and sisters are doing. The brothers and sisters in Yien-Chen are dispersed in the countryside. Brother Wang Hsueh-yu's home is now in Ma-Chang, and Brother You Shan-fu has moved his whole family to Si-You-Tsuang. Brother You Chan-ting has moved his whole family to Shiao-Kwan, Fu-Ning. Brother Jie's family has moved to East Village in Yien-Chen. We have no news as to whether or not Brother Fei and Brother Lee have moved. Brother Wang is still in Yi-Lin, but he is planning on going elsewhere to preach the gospel. Fu-Ning capitulated on the sixth of this month, and the saints there have moved to East Village in Fu-Ning. According to one brother, they had one Lord's table meeting on the fourth. We have heard nothing from them since. Presently, we have not received any letter from Brother Pei Dah-shen.
During the most dangerous period, the church in Yi-Lin only met in the morning. The Lord's table was suspended once. Presently, the battle is still raging about thirty Chinese miles from Yi-Lin, and we can frequently hear the sound of cannons and bombs. A few of the brothers and sisters in Yi-Lin who could move went to the nearby villages. About forty to fifty who could not move are now living with my father (Wu Wei) in a walled community. At one time there were over ten brothers from out of town; there are still four who have no place to go. Brother Suen Deh-ming from Shanghai is still in Yi-Lin. Neighboring churches like Dong-Gou, Ban-Hu, and Soo-Jia-Tsui are quite shaken. However, one brother told me that the brothers and sisters have not suffered any harm. The Lord is worthy to be praised! My father is now in Yi-Lin. I will go to Tai County soon. We are not able to receive any news about the other co-workers because of the war. In North Village in Fu-Ning, Brothers You Tien, Chang Kwai, and Hu Siao-lan are meeting with the brothers and sisters. We have no further news from them and are quite concerned about them.
Brother Wu Ming-hui
(This letter was probably written after May 18.)
Dear honorable brothers and sisters:
Since receiving Issue Nos. 2, 3, and 6 of The Open Door, we know that you have received special grace from the Father and are in peace. We also rejoice at hearing about the work in all these places. The Lord has brought us through the past four years according to His grace. There are four orphans and a heartbroken sister staying in Sister Yun-sien's house. Another sister from Ning-Po also sought refuge there. Her husband died when he was fleeing from the war, and she is now tragically left with three children. Please pray for us. Every afternoon we pray together at four-thirty. On Thursday we have a Bible study meeting, using the book Bible Studies for Beginners. We have received the enclosed sum of money from the offering box in Ding's household, which is designated for brothers and sisters who have suffered because of the war. Greetings to you.
Sisters in the Lord,Tu Yun-sien, Ge Shi-lien, Chiang Jin-chiuMay 10[Address omitted]
(On June 26, we received a postcard from Tu's family in Ning-Hai saying that Sister Tu suffered a bullet wound and has been hospitalized for over a month. Please pray for them.)
Dear brothers and sisters:
Since the capitulation of Fu-Yang on December 25, the houses and belongings of the brothers and sisters and the meeting hall were destroyed! Over forty of us escaped that morning to the mountains. Soon the thatched hut we squatted in was burned, and we had to move to a higher mountain. Two weeks later our lives were endangered again. The brothers and about twenty neighboring families, sixty-seven in all, began sojourning in more than twenty different places. We passed six counties: Lin-An, Fen-Shui, Sin-Deng, Tung-Lu, Jien-Deh, and arrived at Lan-Si. We wandered for one hundred thirty-eight days. Although we suffered all kinds of hardships, we did not lack in food, clothing, or shelter for a single day! (Either brothers in the Lord or outsiders supplied us.) We cannot help but thank the Lord for His great power and grace! Brother Wang Fu-tang was hit by a bullet in the heart. He was able to crawl along for seven Chinese miles and was later moved by his family to Shan-Si-Kou in Sin-Deng. At that time he gave a wonderful testimony for the Lord, saying, "When I was hit, I looked around and could find no friend or relative beside me. My vision blacked out, and I fell on the ground several times. As I crawled for a mile, blood was streaming out of me. I only said, `Lord Jesus, save me. I am satisfied to see Your face.' Then the blood stopped." He has since died, leaving behind his wife and six children. What a tragedy! My nephew Yu Deh-hwa is twenty years old. Since he was taken captive, we do not know whether he is still alive or dead. Please pray for them so that the parents, wife, and orphans of these two families may be comforted. Praise the Lord that He has brought me through this journey to teach me many lessons. I was once short in faith but have now learned something. I was once lacking in endurance, but now I know a little of what endurance means. I thank the Lord the most that, during this national tragedy, I was able to preach the gospel of His grace and was able to go to places where messengers of the gospel had not gone before. I am a most wicked, disobedient, and weak member. God has been gracious to me even though I have doubted Him and slighted Him. When I became helpless, I had to give up myself and trust in Him solely. Hallelujah! The Lord's grace is made perfect in our weaknesses. Peace to you in the Lord!
An uncomely member in the Lord,Yu Yien-chuan, May 22[Address omitted]
(We published the situation of Brother Yu Yien-chuan and others in Issue No. 2. Fortunately, they are now in Lan-Si. God has cared for them. May He continue to grace them. By the time we proofread this issue, Brother Yu's family will have moved to Hunan — Editor.)
Dear Mr. Ke-san:
Yesterday Brother Kwang-rong (not Brother Kwang-rong in Shanghai) came to Chuanchow with his family; they are on their way to Amoy. Brother Tsi-cheng and his family are also going to Tung-An and Kulangsu. Together with their families there is a total of twelve people with twenty to thirty pieces of luggage. Cars are few and overcrowded; therefore, the journey is impossible for man. It is difficult enough for two to travel. With twelve persons and twenty to thirty pieces of luggage, it is impossible. When I went with them to the station at seven this morning, however, the Lord miraculously arranged for a truck to take them to Tung-An. From there they will be transferred to Ji-Mei. What a wonderful, sovereign arrangement of the Lord! We can truly say that He is our God. No one is responsible in the church in Chuanchow. Please be exercised about our condition, and pray for us. Greetings in the Lord.
Brother in the Lord,Yang Shi-chao, April 19[Address omitted]
War broke out in Amoy on May 10. Places like Tung-An and others have all been bombed. The believers in the cities are all safe. Praise the Lord! Presently, most believers and their families have moved to Chai-Lin (where there is a meeting hall). They are considering the situation and waiting for the Lord's leading. My family may move to Chuan-Shan; we are praying about it. Some believers in An-Hai, Shui-Tou, and Chuanchow have also moved, but the number is not great. Greetings in the Lord.
Wang Deng-ming, June 11[Address omitted]
Brother Luan:
I received your letter dated June 3 and am very grateful for the concern of all the brothers and sisters in these places. The war in Amoy erupted suddenly, but through the Lord's care and protection, the brothers and sisters from Amoy and Ho-San arrived safely in Kulangsu. Except for a few who have moved to Hong Kong, most of the local brothers are safe in Kulangsu. Nothing has changed much. Most of the out-of-town brothers and sisters have returned to their homes; some have moved to Southeast Asia. Not many are left. Our meeting hall has been assigned as a relief center. As a consequence, all meetings have been stopped. But we are still carrying on the bread-breaking meeting temporarily in a sister's home. I believe that you are very busy in Hong Kong taking care of hospitality for the refugees. May the Lord be with you. Greetings to you.
Sister in the Lord,Chen Wan-ching, June 11
Dear Sir:
Enclosed please find a postal order in the amount of X dollars, of which X dollars are an offering made by brothers and sisters this last Lord's Day for the saints suffering from the war. The rest is for The Open Door.
The church in Pu-Tien, May 20[Address omitted]
Dear Brothers in the Lord:
Peace to you in the Lord! The Lord has been gracious to us, and everything is in peace. Thank the Lord! Please be assured, and please pray for us. Two or three brothers are starting a photographic studio. God has blessed their business, and they have offered according to their income. The Lord is worthy to be praised and worthy of everything. The brothers have asked me to transfer this money to you and to send it to Szechuan and Yunnan for the work. The total amount is X dollars. May the Lord remember your work. Greetings in the Lord.
Brother in the Lord,Chu Ai-tseng, June 4
For a long time we have been preserved in peace by the Lord. Two weeks ago I received a few letters from my sister in Bangkok urging me and Hwei-min to go there. There is no meeting in Thailand, and the two of us going there alone is a fearful thought. I do not know whether there are brothers and sisters in Thailand. If there are, please send us the address.
Sisters Chai Lan-jen and Hwang Hwei-min, June 5[Address omitted]
(Presently, we do not know of anyone living in Thailand. If anyone knows of any, please inform us.)
Recently, the broken dams on the Yellow River caused widespread catastrophe in a vast area. I wonder whether there are any brothers and sisters living in the disaster area. Hankow is now dispersing its population. I wonder whether there are brothers and sisters who have moved to other places. How are the meetings there? The political situation here is still very tense. More sisters have moved to the inland regions, but they are all safe, which is comforting.
Enclosed please find the X dollars which we received from the offering box. X dollars of this are for the pioneering work in the border regions, and X dollars are for relief to brothers and sisters in difficulty.
Brothers Chai Gi-chen, Chen Fang-ching, and Hsie Tse-shunJune 22[Address omitted]
The church here has experienced much of the Lord's grace. We see many people saved continuously. Many brothers and sisters have active, personal evangelistic work. After our first baptism, we had three more baptisms. Altogether twenty-five brothers and sisters have been baptized into the Lord's name. May all the glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. Praise the Lord! He has saved a few instructors and students at the Aviation Institute through the brothers and sisters, and the saved ones have also been baptized into the Lord's name. Some of the baptized ones work in the hospitals, and some in the Telegraph Bureau.
K. H. Weigh, June 6
Dear Brothers Weigh, Chen, and Lin:
God has cared so much for us humble specks of dust. At the crossroads of hopelessness, He caused us to turn suddenly into the way of life and light. Thank God that through the mouths of you three, I was brought to the understanding of the truth of regeneration. At the meeting on Tuesday afternoon, I testified to the saving power of Christ. Tonight, at the house of Mr. Fung of the Railway Department, I gathered together a group of friends, and we studied 1 Corinthians 13. I hope that every week we can have three special Bible studies together. But I am weak and powerless in myself. I hope that the brothers and sisters will pray for me. I pray that the Lord would bless all of them.
Brother Gung En-lung, April 24
Dear Brother Weigh and Brother Chen:
Since you left, the brothers and sisters have been very zealous. They have come on time to every meeting, and everyone speaks with short testimonies. During the past two Lord's Day evenings at the bread-breaking meetings, we were joined by a few new believers: Brother Hu, Sister Wang, and Brother Suen. We are all very young. Please remember the church in Ku-Jiu all the time. May the Lord bless all the brothers and sisters.
Brother Gung En-lung, May 18
Recently, the number of refugees suddenly increased. Yesterday the newspaper said, "In one week there has been an increase of one hundred seventy thousand people. Since the start of the war, the population in Hong Kong has swollen by four hundred thousand. Rents in some places have doubled, and prices have increased by thirty-five percent. The British government is already trying to stamp out the flooding in of refugees." Brothers and sisters among the refugees are increasing day by day. Finding lodging for them has become a big problem. In the house of Brother Hsie from Amoy, over thirty people are being housed temporarily. Many brothers have not been able to find lodging after many days. We need the Lord's special grace under such circumstances. The Lord has opened the door to the work in Hong Kong recently. I regret that I am too weak and useless to meet all the needs.
Brother Philip Luan, June 8
Recently, rent in Hong Kong has skyrocketed, and many refugees are suffering unnecessarily. It seems that all the houses and all the streets are full of people. What a pitiful sight!
Philip Luan, June 12
Thank the Lord! He has shown me clearly through the situation along the south coast of China that I should move away from Chungshan. On the afternoon of May 26, I arrived safely at my aunt's house in Macao. On the Lord's Day afternoon, we had a meeting at the house of the brother-in-law of Rev. Ma Mu. All five brothers from CBC Laboratories came to the meetings. Brother Chang Shi-wu is leaving Macao today to go to Shanghai via Hong Kong. Yesterday, I saw Mrs. Yeh, the sister of Sister Liu Shu-bao, at Mrs. Ma's house. We prayed together. The Lord willing, I may go to Hong Kong later. Presently, I will stay in Macao for a while. Please pray for me.
Sister Roh-chen, May 31
Enclosed please find X dollars for The Open Door and for the brothers and sisters in difficulty. Please use it according to the Lord's leading. May all the glory go to God's name. Greetings to all the brothers and sisters.
The assembly in Penang,Juang Dah-deh, Yang Jien-hsiung, Chang Nai-tsung,Tseng Pei-ran[Address omitted]
Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord:
We have received Issue Nos. 1—6 of The Open Door. Through this publication, which is filled with God's love, we have learned with much rejoicing about the meetings, the work, and the situations of the brothers and sisters in all these places! The assembly in Penang now has about forty members with over thirty breaking bread together. In January Brother Faithful Luk came and conducted an evangelistic revival meeting. We witnessed an abundant blessing from the Lord. On April 1 Brother Watchman Nee passed through on his way to Europe, and through him we again received the Lord's grace. He stayed for a few days and spoke to us about the truth. All the children of the Lord received much edification. Thank and praise the Lord! After reading the book Rethinking Our Work (The Normal Christian Church Life), we all wish to obey God's will in one accord and to act according to the principle of the Bible. May the Lord grant us grace, and may you pray much for us. Enclosed please find X dollars to be used for the apostolic work in the pioneering endeavor in remote regions. Greetings in the Lord.
Brother Chang Ke-shu, May 4
Sister Ruth:
I received your letter dated April 21 through Singapore and learned of all the news from it. In times of difficulty, brothers and sisters are more precious to us than before. "A friend loveth at all times,/and a brother is born for adversity." May the Lord's grace be with you in your traveling. My wife and I arrived in Surabaya on May 3. It is very difficult to get permission from the Dutch government to work. I intend to go to Singapore at the end of June and perhaps to Hong Kong at the end of July. Four of my children are in Hong Kong, one is in Singapore, and the youngest is with me. Presently, I do not know where I will be staying. My Singapore address is: Leland Wang, 13 Jerrois Road, Singapore, S.S. My address in Hong Kong is: 6 Kwong King Terrace, Bonham Road, Hong Kong. My parents are now in Hong Kong. Brother Wilson Wang's family arrived in Singapore on May 13. If Sister Miao can come to Singapore, I would be delighted to meet her. Please inform me ahead of time. Greetings to Sister Yun and Sister Peace Wang. Peace to you.
Brother Leland Wang, May 17
[Omitted]
Thank the Lord that we can still publish this issue in Hankow! If the readers cannot send their letter to Hankow, they can send it to either Mrs. Yuan How-tsai in Chungking or Brother Ho Nai-yee in Hong Kong. They have been charged by this magazine to serve the brothers and sisters in the Lord. We hope that we can continue our work in Hankow. Should this become impossible, we will tell you where we will be when we have settled down.
There are more pages in this issue than before. Some of the letters are from faraway places and are very sincere. Some tell of moves and changes as a result of the political turmoil. Some are comforting reports, while others are disturbing reports. I intended to start a column on supplication and thanksgiving, but there are too many pages already, and I had to give up. I hope that the readers will read through the whole magazine so that they will know what to make supplication for and what to give thanks for.
The addresses of the co-workers are recorded in the column "Footsteps of the Co-workers."
If you have any question regarding Bible exposition, please send it to the editor of The Christian. This magazine does not deal with that kind of subject. "Questions and Answers," as seen in Issue No. 2, has to do with the church meetings and is different in nature. We wish to remind the readers that the emphasis of this magazine is on the work of the gospel and the practice of the church.
Wire transfers to Tsingtao have now been cleared. Mail to Shu County and Chou County is still not clear. We have received letters from northern Kiangsu; they are in much difficulty. Presently, we are doing all we can.
Fukien and Kwangtung are in much turmoil. Many have difficulty taking refuge in Hong Kong. The Lord has to open up the way for the brothers and sisters who are moving inland from Hankow to Szechuan and Hunan. In the past the Lord prevented these refugee brothers and sisters from becoming homeless through the love of many. In the future He will also lead them through His miracles. Our God is also our Father. He is the One who is both the beginning and the end! As I am writing this, I cannot help but have mixed feelings of comfort and apprehension, and my tears freely follow my pen!
Ruth Lee, at a village in Wan CountyJuly 2, 1938
Correction by Chang Tze-jieh: In Issue No. 7 I wrote about the man who was sick for eighteen years who started to walk. He is not completely healed yet and is still lying on his bed. I make this clarification so that words will not become exaggerated.
(1) This publication is published in Hankow. Should Hankow become inaccessible, please follow the instructions on page 53. News about the gospel and the churches should be directed to the Gospel Book Room in Hankow.
(2) Please write your address and date clearly in your letters.
(3) Please inform us of changes of address.
(4) The Christian is published in Shanghai. Questions related to The Christian should be directed to Shanghai, P. O. Box 323. If you want to subscribe to both The Open Door and The Christian, please write two separate letters.
(5) The Gospel Book Room has a branch office in Hankow. Those living in Hankow can subscribe through our P. O. number or through our address.
(6) The churches in Szechuan, Yunnan, and Kweichow are primarily meeting in the saints' homes. Addresses are listed in this issue. We hope that the brothers and sisters would meet with saints wherever they go. Although some places do not have meetings yet, the brothers and sisters can find the saints from the addresses listed here.
HankowJuly 2, 1938
The emphasis of The Open Door is on the gospel work in every place. In this publication, we publish:
(1) Articles on the principle of the work
(2) News of the work
(3) News of the churches
This publication is not for sale. We look to the Lord to supply all the needs. Temporarily we are situated in Hankow. We may move at any time. If you cannot direct your mail to Hankow, please send it to Chungking or Hong Kong.
