160
March 1927
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
ther by. escorting them home with lanterns. Many came night after night, but others who lived further away, only once or twice. For our encouragement the Lord permitted us to see some of the fruit, though the harvest of many such friendly sowings goes long hidden from human view. H ouse to H ouse E v a n g e l ism On several occasions it was my privilege to go out with different members of the Band to take a share in the actual house-to-house evangelism which is the principal feature of this work. They had already been long enough in the district to be well known within a radius of from two to three miles, so that we had something of a walk before we started work. The band workers only have two meals a day, which many Hunanese regard as a good deal of a hardship, though the men are thoroughly 1 contented with the arrangement. Indeed, with the long tramps that the plan involves, any other arrangement would be impos sible. Promptly at ten o’clock each week day morning they start out and are busy until four o’clock in the after noon. On most days of my stay with Band No. 2 we did not gather for the evening meal until five or even later. The homes visited, for the most part, seemed to illus trate different stages of poverty, only a very few giving the appearance of a little comfort. In most homes one or other of the hideous idols of China, invariably dusty and neglected, occupied the place of honor. Everywhere there was spiritual darkness but also, almost everywhere, at least a half consent to the truth which we were telling. In many cases even as we spoke the light seemed to dawn, but it was only a glimmer and the next instant might be clouded by some ugly superstition. We could explain the Way of Life in simple terms, tell them where they could hear more, though the way wasi,often long either to the nearest chapel or to band headquarters, and, leaving literature which we judged to meet the needs of the home most accurately, pass on. In spite of the joy that there is in this work, qnd it is very great joy, there is much of sadness too. Eor most of the homes we visited there is very small probability that they will again be visited by a preacher of the Gospel during the lifetime of the present occupants, unless indeed the number of native workers is very rapidly increased, and only a few can read. Oh that every one of these 169 evangelists, as well as their cowork- ers by prayer at home, may daily feel the urgency of their opportunity. T h e W o rk er s A re H u m a n During my visit it was possible to have several long seasons of prayer with Mr. Liu, remembering specially each member of the Band. I also came to know several members of the Band quite intimately. It would be worth more than we can imagine to these men if every one of us would really remember that they are not 169 smoothly working machines, but that they are men with their own problems, often much the same problems too that men in other lands have to face. The support of aged parents, the education of their children, the conversion of their families, illness against which they themselves or loved ones are struggling, their own future—these are a few of the things about which many of these Christian young men were glad to have fellowship in prayer. It is estimated that forty million heathen die every year, a rate of 100,000 per day. Almost every tick of your watch sounds the death knell of a soul without Christ. Yet Christians are giving at the rate of one-tenth of a cent a day, or one cent a year for each heathen soul.
Our Subscribers Are Pleased T HE editors are profoundly grateful for the many warm letters of appreciation received from subscribers. Evi dently the new policy as well as the hew dress of The King’s Business has met with widespread approval among those who love the Word. If space permitted, we should like to publish many of the letters received, but this could be done only to the exclusion of Bible material. However we give one letter typical of many we have received: “Only the good can become better.' The King’s Business was good before, but it is better now. Thank God that the room for improvement is the largest room anyone has. Happy, the one who grows in all dimensions. “If I may say my word of appreciation I would let it come because of the added emphasis on LIFE and CONDUCT. “By their fruits ye.ishall know them.” I certainly believe in the absolute necessity of doctrine, a rule for life, a standard of judgment. But one who has been born and brought up in Sweden ,(as I have), where the State Church (Lutheran) stressed doc trine at the expense of life, can only view with alarm the almost unchristian methods used at times Id.: “defend” the faith. It is comparatively easy to argue in favor of a certain belief. It is harder to guide a soul to jesús. Almost anyone today can be a “Fundamentalist.” At least I have met many who are a disgrace to the Church of Jesus Christ. Movies, dances, Sunday golf, and the like, are freely indulgéd in, all the while the doctrine is scrupulously accepted. While attending the confirmation school in Sweden fLwas openly rebuked by the State Church priest for opposing his defense of drinking strong drinks. But had I ques tioned the theory of regeneration through baptism I would have been expelled from the class and the Lord’s Supper. Adherence to a doctrine without the corresponding life is nothing new to most of usj “I am glad that a magazine) with the circulation of The King’s Business not only believes in the Bible but also proclaims ‘life through His name,’ And when we can ‘contend for the faith’ and ourselves be ‘constrained’ by the love of Christ to win others for Him ‘Who is our life,’ we shall have done our Christian duty. First we must ‘show unto you that eternal life’ (1 John 1 :2), that is, have the indwelling Son of God and mani fest His life in us daily. Then and only then can we rightly ‘declare unto you that which we have seen and heard’ (1 John 1:3). There must be life before there can be a rational declara tion. “And prior to all I may be and do is the finished work of Jesus and the eternal love of God. Oh for a greater love and a more earnest consecration on the part of us all who ‘love because He first loved us’! “God bless you in all your great work for God. “Yours in Christ Jesus, • “Fritz Hjelm, pastor Swedish Mission Church.” It is not well to be often talking about yourself, looking at yourself, making a merit of maghifying your own faults and sins’, especially your want of religious enjoyment. Think less of what you have done and more of what Christ has done. Study His life and follow His example by living, not for yourself, but for others; trying every day, and every hour of every day, to do something that shall be like what Christ would do if He were in your house and heart. You will very soon find that the sense of unrest will vanish in the pursuit of the good and useful. “Looking Un to Jesus” (Heb. 12:2)
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