C t ia n y e l ic a U ÿ n C h in a U n i t e
By Charles A . Roberts, D.D.*
archenemy Communism. Ex-premier, ex-governor, ex-university president— all are to be found here, with hundreds of lesser lights. Not a day goes by but that someone of importance does not call at the writer’s small flat, just to have a little chat. Interspersed with sighs, a con versation beginning with the question, “What news from Hunan?” will be fol lowed with such self-justifying remarks, as “ America has failed to understand us.” To all of which we reply: “ Do not put your trust in men, but in Jesus Christ.” Missionary opportunities in this great city are unlimited. This week (February 15) seventy-five representatives of twenty-three evangeli cal missions from inland China and Hong Kong met in a full day’s conference to discuss the formation of what may well become a new, strong evangelical fellowship of the Far East. Cataclysmic changes have taken place in China in one year. The leadership of the Chinese church, suddenly, and with sinister sig nificance, having fallen into the hands of liberals and modernists, evangelicals find themselves in a corner. Recently a small group of missionaries and Chinese pas tors met for prayer and consultation to see what could be done to meet the situ ation. There was an immediate response to a proposal that a day of prayer and conference for all evangelical missions be held. Meeting at the Bethel Seminary auditorium in Kowloon across the bay from Hong Kong, the conference opened with an introduction by a prominent lawyer and Christian layman. He ex pressed his pleasure at the calling of a meeting of so many missionaries and Chinese pastors for the purpose of forg ing a fellowship to meet the present crit ical situation as it exists in the Far East, and in special relation to church lead ership. Devotional exercises were led by the writer. Then followed four periods, lasting through the whole day, given to reports on China, and prayer. By the end of the day, the over-all picture, al
though difficult to discover because of varying conditions in different parts of the country, was pieced together. Six teen main reports were given, covering all parts of the country. These reports came from interdenominational missions like the China Inland Mission, the Chris tian and Missionary Alliance Mission, the Inter-Varsity Fellowship, the South China Boat Mission, Hunan Bible Insti tute, Youth for Christ, China Evange listic Society, and other organizations such as the Mennonites of North China, the Evangelical Free Church, the South ern Baptist and the Lutheran Church of North America. Here, is a brief summary of our find ings: 1. The over-all picture is very dark, but not entirely without its bright spots. In general, all church services are con tinuing unhindered, and in many places congregations are increasing. The ex odus of large numbers of missionaries has placed great responsibility upon Chinese pastors, who in most cases are standing firm and preaching the gospel fearlessly. Street preaching in most places is forbidden. Student work has fallen off. Bible schools and seminaries, except for one or two with peculiar cir cumstances, are carrying on a full pro gram, although adjustments in curricula are being made to prepare the student “ to work with his own hands.” 2. Direct persecution of the church has tapered off. However, in some cases, Chinese pastors have been imprisoned and a few are still confined. Embarrass ment to missionaries is increasing. This takes the form of not permitting them to move from one place to another and to delay the granting of travel permits to leave the country. Public preaching by the missionary is also not allowed in most places. Missionary teachers in schools may have their places filled by Chinese teachers of the New Democ racy, and will not be asked to return. (Continued on Page 18)
Dr. Roberts W AVES of unrest are rolling over Southeast Asia, with Commu nism riding on the crest. The so cial upheaval which for so long threat ened this continent is now an accom plished fact. The remaining spots on the fringe of Asia, like Hong Kong, where “ foreign imperialism” is supposedly the only hindrance to complete the overthrow of the white man’s rule, carry on with smug complacency and a prosperity that astonishes the European visitor and still makes the East the American tourist’s delight. No port in Asia has such free trade and is so full of goods of all kinds as this mixed Oriental city of two mil lion souls. From inland China to this British colony come thousands of refu gees, most of them wealthy, fleeing their
^Superintendent of the Hunan Bible Institute, Changsha, China, now residing in Hong Kong.
Park and Governor’s Palace
A heathen idol in Hong Kong
Chinese refugees from Hong Kong ’age Eight
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
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