They established a good foundation, but fifty years of Japanese occupation meant that the church had been con fined within the limits of her own tiny sphere. It was practically a criminal offense to preach the gospel widely. Then the church was set free, through the religious liberty which Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek had given his country. But Formosa did not know what to do with her new found freedom! She was like a man who has been ill in bed for years and has to learn to walk all over again. When Mr. Trotman came, he gathered together the church leaders in six different centers to teach them, to take them through the Word and show them their great opportunity right next door—ten millions of people wait ing for the gospel! The church responded to that. On the backs of their little Gospels they imprinted the names of their churches, the time of their services, and an invi tation. Then they went out, two by two, to give out the Gospels and to talk to men about Jesus Christ. They met problems they couldn’t answer. That only drove them closer to the Lord who helped them. Before I left, the Church had distributed 40,000 Gospels into 40,000 differ-, ent homes! The miracle continues. We never give anyone a book until he has heard the way of salvation explained. Then as the crowd stands or sits quietly before us, the Gospels are passed to the people. Then we go back to the great preface of the Word of God, “ But these [things] are writ ten, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). I’m glad it is not just a book— it's a Life we are taking to them. Then we go straight to the beginning of the book: “ In the begin ning was the Word.” That expression, the Word in Chinese is tremendous. It means the Divine One. And Christ Jesus was in the beginning. They know that He was in the beginning, but they don’t know He became flesh and dwelt among us, and brought grace and truth— grace to save and truth to build one up (John 1:14-17). Then we turn to the recorded miracles recorded to prove He is God's Son. It thrilled our hearts to tell those who have never heard how Jesus overcame disease and death. After we have taught the Word of God, we teach them a simple, little prayer: “ Lord Jesus, I confess I am a sin ner. I ask You to save me from sin’s penalty and power.” Then we tell them they are dismissed; they may go home. We add that some are concerned about their souls and desire to know more about God, they may remain. Always great numbers linger. Do they mean business? Can it be real? You can gather them there by hundreds. We take their names and addresses, and a few days later, send them sixteen questions based upon the Gospel of John because that is the only portion of God’s word they possess. We have worked hard on the follow-up work out there, and those questions go out to them. If they mean business, they are going to study God’s Word and mail the questions to us. But I am here to report to you that thousands are already on the mailing list and they are coming back by the score each day. Our office is swamped with work. Altogether, there are six sets of questions, and when they get to the third set, they are given Scripture verses to memorize. By the time they have finished all their sets, they have also memorized the verses that have gone along with the lessons. So they are hiding the Word of God in their hearts. A P R I L , 1 9 5 1
Madame Chiang Kai-shek visits wounded soldiers.
Now I’m aware of the danger of multiple birth, and I’m also aware of the criticism that may arise. But remem ber, time is running out. We dare not fail in Formosa. I do not know how long God is going to give us, but this job must be done quickly. Some of these that seek may be insincere, but I’m not one to put my finger on mass evan gelism and say, “We don’t want to see it.” The more mass evangelism, the better. Youth For Christ is asking for a million souls—a half million right there in. Formosa. Have souls become the most important thing in your life and mine? I think they should. It is for lost men that Jesus Christ died; for them He is longing. There is no harvest without suffering and sacrifice. Except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, there will be no har vest. The mark of the cross of Jesus Christ should be upon your life and mine. Through those who have suf fered something the gospel will go around the world. (Ezekiel 33:8.)
"BEHOLD HE PRAYS" What various hindrances we meet In coming to a mercy seat; Yet who that knows the worth of prayer But wishes often to be there? Prayer makes the darkened clouds withdraw; Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw; Restraining prayer, we cease to fight; Prayer makes the Christian's armor bright; And Satan trembles when he sees The weakest saint upon his knees. Were half the breath oft vainly spent, To heaven in supplication sent; Our cheerful song would oftener be, "Hear what the Lord has done for me!" Gives exercise to faith and love; Brings every blessing from above.
— William Cowper,
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