Search
Thank the Lord for leading me step by step to walk in His will. Brother Shao Tzi-wen and I went to work in Hwang-Yen in the middle of March. All of a sudden, we heard that fighting had erupted in Hai-Men, and we turned back and went to San-Men-Wan instead to do some pioneering work for a month. At Hun-Du six men and three women were saved (mostly young adults), and a miniature local church was formed. Praise the name of the Lord! Brother Philip Luan wrote to me to invite me to stay in Hong Kong for a while. I always have a burden for missionary work in far-off places. It would be good to go first to Hong Kong and then elsewhere according to the Lord's leading. By this I may learn to live by the Lord and to suffer for Him, severing myself from affections based on kinship. But I see my own incompetence and am hesitant to go forward. The Lord willing, I would like to go to Shanghai to inquire of the senior co-workers about my trip to Hong Kong. I wonder whether Brother Nee and Brothers Chang Kwang-rong and Hsu Dah-wei are in Shanghai yet. A few churches in Ning-Hai have seen some progress. But there are very few brothers in all the churches who can stand between the breach, who watch and pray, and who deal with God directly, telling Him of the church's shortcomings and conveying to others the message from the throne! There are not many who can discern the wiles of the devil and who can set up defenses with authority in prayer! Most people only see the movement of the hands of the workers. The meeting life and the work are merely mutual imitations of one another, and rarely does one see God's standard. There is truly the need for God to continue to shed His grace.
Brother in the Lord,Hwa Shi-bin, April 29
(Brother Nee is not in Shanghai yet, and Brothers Chang and Hsu are still in Chekiang — Editor.)
I left Lan-chou from Jin-Hwa today. From the twelfth to the sixteenth, there were five days of gospel work. We saw God's miraculous hand in the weather — it was neither rainy nor sunny. If it had been too sunny, the people would not have come and listened, and if had been rainy, it would have been very inconvenient. The best weather is when it is neither rainy nor sunny. We truly saw the Lord's blessing in Shui-Ting this time. Brother Tang's messages were on "The Best Love" and "The Presence of Christ." All the brothers and sisters were greatly edified. Thank and praise the Lord! I intend to go to Lu-Tang-Sha (fifteen miles from Jin-Hwang) tomorrow morning to preach at the Cheng-Mei Girls' School. Then I will preach the gospel at the local hospital for a few days. Later, I may go to Wu-Yih and Wenchow to preach the gospel. Please pray for me. I have read the book The Messenger of the Cross and have come to realize that my work has very little spiritual element in it. I deeply realize that my past work lacked the mark of the cross. I am willing to be dealt with by the Lord in a deep way and do not wish to work with so much of my own element still intact. I am not clear at present whether I should go back to Shanghai and then to north China or preach the gospel a little longer in the inland regions of Chekiang province. Please pray for me. May my walk be according to His heart and His timing.
Brother in the Lord,Chang Yu-zhi, April 18
Thank the Lord for hearing our prayer. On March 2 Brothers Chen Jsai-seng, Chen Ke-san, and Chai Tse-chung came to Jien-Ou, and we had meetings continuously for twenty days. God has been with us in the work, and the condition is quite good. May the Lord gain all the glory and praise! Amen. The meetings concluded on the twenty-eighth. Five brothers and seven sisters were baptized. Brother Chen Ke-san left early for Ku-Tien at the invitation of the brothers. Brothers Tse-chung and Jai-seng are still talking to the newly baptized ones about the truth concerning the church.
We have also begun the Lord's table for the remembrance of the Lord. Praise the Lord! Although there are less than twenty people, the spiritual atmosphere is intense. Tonight will be our third table meeting. Thank the Lord! Recently the brothers were invited to preach the gospel to a group of drug addicts at the Health Department's drug rehabilitation center. We have a sister who works as the head nurse, who is very burdened for the souls of these people. Through this meeting the Lord saved one man who had been smoking opium for over forty years. After he believed, he was not only delivered from the bondage of the opium but also freed from many illnesses. If the Lord can save this brother, surely He can save others who have the same illness. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
Sister Yu-bing, April 7
Dear Brother Ho in the Lord:
Two months ago the Lord's workers, Brothers Chai Tse-chung and Chen Jai-seng, went with Brother Chen Ke-san to work in Jien-Ou in north Fukien. They passed by Yien-Ping and came to Foochow. On the twenty-fourth of last month, they passed by Ying-Chien and went to Chang-Loh to visit the saints. The saints insisted that they stay for five days of meetings. Every morning there was prayer, and in the afternoon they preached the gospel. All the meetings were held in the Gospel Hall in Tai-Ping Chiao. In the evenings there were the edification meetings in the house of Dr. Wu You-min. By the grace of God, the meetings were excellent even though the political condition was tense. On the twenty-ninth Brothers Chai and Chen went to visit Miss X (a missionary) in Bai-Ya-Tan. They rested there for two days. On the first morning of this month, they went to Che-Yu to visit Brother Huang Da-ji. In the afternoon they returned to Bai-Ya-Tan. Brother Chen Ke-san also happened to be there on the same day, and they attended the Tuesday meeting together. This meeting used to be conducted by Miss M. E. Barber on the first Tuesday of every month and has continued through all these years. Most of the attendees are workers from Foochow, Chang-Loh, and Lien-Jiang. Although it lasts for only one day, there are four to five meetings. The contents of the meetings concern prayer, mutual sharing, edification, and fellowship. During this critical period we are still able to meet in peace and to encourage one another. The Lord's grace and love are beyond our tongue's description. We can only thank and praise Him. May the Lord preserve His children everywhere to live in peace and godliness until His return, when we will share in His glory, amen. Brother Chai and the two Chens left for Foochow on the third and returned to Pu-Han on the fourth. Brother Ong Je-dun was working in the Yung-Tai and Lien-Jiang areas. However, due to his weak health, he is now resting in Lien-Jiang and Ma-Wei. He has recuperated slightly. Yesterday, he also left Bai-Ya-Tan. I heard that he will be traveling to north Fukien to visit the saints. Greetings to the brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Brother Fang Jia-ze, May 6
I returned yesterday. I went to Dong-Ping to visit Brother Zhang. It took me nine days to get there and eight days to return. I stayed in Dong-Ping for only two days. I intend to go to Chi-Li and then to Da-Yung. I have asked Brother Paul Tsao to stay temporarily in Yuan-Ling. The political situation is very tense. Hopefully, nothing will happen in the next two months. When I return from Da-Yung, I hope to be able to travel safely to Yuan-Ling. Last month four sisters and two brothers were baptized in Ch'ang-Teh and Chou-Jia-Dien. After we left, there were only three brothers left in Ch'ang-Teh. Brother Fung is now working in the post office. He is responsible for everything here. The meeting in the countryside is headed up by Brother Mei Han-ke, a newly raised up brother.
Brother in the Lord,Han Fu-shen, April 5
(1) Brother Hsu Jung-jieh wrote on April 13: "Brother Hu wrote saying that this year the snow is particularly heavy. Men from Wei-Si came and said that the route through the snowy mountains in Wei-Si has been cleared only recently. Brother Hu was not able to leave Yeh-Ji to work elsewhere because of the blockage of snow. I intend to leave my family in Da-Li. If I can get the ticket, my whole family will set out."
(2) Brother Chen Hsi-wen wrote on April 14: "I intend to go to Yi-Nan to visit and then travel west. I am waiting for the Lord's arrangement and timing."
(3) Brother Stephen Kaung arrived in K'un-ming on the afternoon of April 27. It is said that he will travel with Brother Weigh on May 3.
(4) News from Chefoo on May 2: "During this week, there are two meetings a week at Brother Chao's house in West Hill in Chefoo. One meeting is the co-workers' meeting, and the other is the brothers' and sisters' meeting. During the brothers' and sisters' meeting, Brother Witness Lee spoke on Christ and the church. On the Lord's Day, April 30, there was a gospel meeting. Over thirty people stood up to receive the Lord. The Lord has been particularly blessing the gospel meetings on the Lord's Day."
(5) Sister Bao Hsu-min is said to be in Jien-Ou. The correspondence address for Brothers Wang Deng-ming and Wang You-yi is Tung-An, Fukien. Sisters Fang Chiung-ying and Weigh Kwang-ying are working in the villages around Han-Jiang in Fukien.
(6) Brother Lan Tsi-yi wrote on April 17: "There has been more urging in the direction of the orphanage recently. I hope that, by the Lord's grace, I will not be influenced by the need and the urging. However, I do not want to be too self-assured or disobey the Lord through withdrawing myself. Under the present situation, even those who have the heart and the strength are afraid to touch such an endeavor. Please pray for this."
(7) Sister Peace Wang wrote on May 5: "On the first of the month, I returned from Cheung-Chau to Kowloon. Brother James Chen was recently in Hong Kong. Brother Luan is still resting in Cheung-Chau. I have preached the gospel a few times in Kowloon-Tong." On May 13 she wrote: "On the fifteenth I will go with senior Mrs. Nee to Macao. Brother James Chen will travel with us. Barring any hindrance, I will leave Hong Kong for Shanghai on June 3."
(8) Sister An Siu-fen has arrived in Shanghai from Chefoo.
(9) Brother Chou Shin-yih has returned to Shanghai from Chekiang. He is still very weak and in need of recuperation. He needs our prayer.
(10) Brother Hsu Dah-wei wrote on April 24: "The meetings in Ya-Yao-Tou in Bai-Sha, Ping-Yang, lasted for seven days (March 17 to 23). The co-workers and elders in the five counties of Fu-Ding, Tai-Shun, Wenchow, Rue-An, and Ping-Yang used this time together to pray in oneness before the busy farming season began. Here and there Brother Chang would release a little message. Every time we gathered together, we always prayed first, and then some would stand up to speak. The Lord was with us, and we experienced much blessing from the Lord. The Holy Spirit was operating clearly among us, and many wept for their sins. The messages of Brother Chang were about hating sins and being under God's light and also about God's standard and man's tradition. Sisters came from Ping-Tai and Fu-Ding to work among the sisters. They stayed for many days."
(11) A letter from northern Kiangsu on April 14 said: "The brothers and sisters in northern Kiangsu are all safe. But due to the political situation, some brothers are finding it difficult to sustain their living."
(12) A letter from Chefoo on April 13 said: "We began to meet on March 29 in West Hill. We should praise and thank the Lord for this."
[Omitted]
By the Lord's leading, we arrived at Tai-Yuen on March 30. Thank the Lord that we saw His protection and presence everywhere we went. After arriving in Tai-Yuen we found a rented place. Thank the Lord for His grace! After conducting meetings in the villages in Ho-Jin, we passed Chu-Wo, Lin-Fen, and came to Tai-Yuen. Everywhere we met seekers of the Lord. We sincerely hope that the Lord would lead some to come to south Shansi to work. May the Lord raise up many more obedient ones. In Ho-Jin County the Lord's table is in three places: Sin-Chun, Shia-Niu-Chun, and Yan-Chun. In each place there are twenty to thirty people. Thank the Lord. Most of the ones we knew from Tai-Yuen have left for other places. Thank the Lord that we can get to know more new brothers and sisters. Please pray much for the work in Tai-Yuen. May the Lord raise up men to bear the overcoming testimony of the Lord. Greetings to all the brothers and sisters.
Brother and sister in the Lord,Chai En-shang and Chai Ying-fang, April 3
Thank the Lord. Although Chuanchow was bombed a few times, we were all preserved by the Lord and are all safe. Over the past year the Spirit of the Lord has comforted us with several verses. Proverbs 1:33 says, "But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep the steadfast of mind/In perfect peace/Because he trusts in You." Verse 12 says, "O Jehovah, You will ordain peace for us." Please pray for us so that we will not receive grace in vain or make the ground useless.
Brothers representing the church in Chuanchow,Yang Shi-chao, Wang Bu-jou, Gu Teh-en, April 13
Dear Brothers Kuo and Liu:
I have been in Yang-Jia-Wan for over a month. Although I do not see the Spirit's obvious work, He is operating here. First, the Spirit has been guiding us in the matter of prayer. Now we have meetings practically every evening. Every adult and a few children are opening their mouths to pray in the name of the Father. We believe that our God is a God who answers prayer, and soon He will perform great works. Second, there are three co-workers here. They have been enlightened afresh by the Lord and brought to Golgotha, and they have consecrated themselves afresh to the Lord. Presently, the women and children in Yang-Jia-Wan are studying Bible Studies for Beginners. We ask that you pray for me all the time so that I can stand faithfully for the Lord and have a life and an attitude of crucifixion, preaching "Christ, and this One crucified." Concerning the matter of divine healing, I do not doubt, nor dare doubt, its reality. Indeed, God's promise of healing is wonderful. Those who have faith to receive it will see the manifestation of God's glory. However, we should realize and be reminded that we are still in the flesh and still carry weakness. We are still restricted by natural laws. I am referring to our daily life after being healed. We should not overexert ourselves in walking or working. Our Lord rested by the well when He became weary of walking on earth. This teaches us that though He is God, He was limited by His body...Here I cannot help but consider how excellent is the Lord's coming! We will see Him as He is. He will change our body, and we will be like Him. Hallelujah! O Lord, come quickly! Peace to you in the Lord.
Brother Yang Dai, March 8
A year ago I was living in Mei-Chuang by myself. At that time I prayed that God would raise up a work in Ch'ang-Teh. After a few months God sent His servant Brother Han Fu-shen...In Ch'ang-Teh, we now have a meeting. But my home is about seventy to eighty miles from Ch'ang-Teh, and I cannot go to the meetings often. I then asked God to raise up His children and work in Chou-Jia-Dien, a small town five or six miles from my home. A few months later God sent His servants Han Fu-shen and Brother Shang to Chou-Jia-Dien. My wife, my mother, my sister, and I often pray and study the Word together. In the middle of the first month, the Lord led us to have a seven-day evangelistic conference, which was followed by a ten-day edification conference. The Lord used Brother Han greatly. The Lord saved my whole family. Glory to His name! The members of the Alliance Church as well as the preacher were greatly touched. We borrowed their hall for our meeting. Starting last Lord's Day, there is a table meeting in my house. We have seven or eight people breaking bread together. Even the missionary and the members of the Alliance Church joined us in the table. They are all beloved of the Lord, and they all love the Lord and desire to learn the truth. From now on there will be regular meetings. We will also be preaching the gospel to our friends and relatives. Please pray for us.
A weak brother,Mei Han-keh, March 15
I have decided to travel with Brother and Mrs. Kuo Jeng-yung and two sisters by steamer to Ch'ang-Teh. I took my family and walked from Han-Dao to Tzi-Li. All the brothers and sisters in Ch'ang-sha are scattered. Some have moved to the countryside. Only Brother Ji Dun-wu and his family are still living in the Bible school. There are still two sisters in the orphanage. Please remember them in your prayer.
A brother in the Lord,Liu Ai-wu, April 10
Enclosed please find offerings from various places...Please use X dollars for The Open Door and The Christian and give the rest to brothers and sisters in need. The amount is not large. We trust that you will help us distribute it.
Brothers Wu Yu-cheng, Wu Meng-en, Wang En-kwan,and Wang You-gao, the second day of the second month
(We have listed the dollars and cents that have come from many places, not because we want to draw the readers' attention to the amounts, but to show that in all these inland remote places, there are many brothers and sisters who remember the saints in need. May the Lord remember what they have done — Editor.)
Enclosed please find X dollars for the saints who have fallen into poverty in Hunan and X dollars for Brothers Hu and Hsu to help in their work in the frontier regions.
A brother in the Lord,[Address omitted]
(1) Because the mail routes have been cut off in many places, we have to send this magazine out as letters. Therefore, we have not published The Dynamics of Service in order to reduce the number of pages. In some places, we cannot send the magazine in bulk quantity; we have therefore forwarded only one copy.
(2) Brother Watchman Nee has to proofread the book Rethinking Our Work in England. He has been delayed in his return schedule. Many places have written to ask about his return date, and this serves to answer all of them.
(3) The brothers and sisters in northern Kiangsu are all safe, according to a report on April 13. However, the mail routes are still blocked. We ask that the Lord open a way for those who are in need.
(4) Some letters that have been directed to us do not have names written in a clear way. It is difficult for us publish their addresses because we do not know them, and we cannot write in a name for them.
(5) We hope that the places that are close to the war zone will report to us on the whereabouts of the brothers and sisters so that we can publish them in this magazine to relieve the concern of the saints in various places.
(6) Brother Ge Shien-shen in Chungking cabled us, and Brother Yu Yun-fei wrote from Ning-Po. The saints in both places are safe. Thank the Lord!
[Omitted]
