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K i n g ’ s B u s i n e s s
July 1932
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H H understood and was very happy. Later he came in person for an interview and was confirmed in his faith. T he second day, another high school student came to see Mr. Wang, and he, too, became a believer. Nearly every day from that time on, people have sought informa tion concerning the way of life. More than 200 letters have been received. But not all inquirers are genuine seekers af ter the truth of God. Some are-in search of knowledge for its own sake, much as the ancient Athenians; others have hope of charity; still others seek to learn more about Christianity that they may the more effectively oppose it. People have even written to the newspaper protesting against the use of the public press for such religious propaganda. “ Business is business,” was the paper’s reply. “ He pays, we print.” In his advertising space, Mr. Wang puts a few pithy sentences designed to awaken the curiosity of the readers, and sometimes the message is illustrated by an appropriate drawing. The response among the young people of the city has been especially gratifying. Changsha has more than thirty high schools. Students in twenty o f these have become interested in the Christian message through Mr. Wang’s questions and expositions. A S coffer M ade a S oul -W inner One of these students, by the name of Shih, was at first violently opposed to the gospel. After reading one of Mr. Wang’s articles, he wrote to another newspaper at tacking Christianity. In search of material for criticism, he wrote Mr. Wang for literature. Later on, he came for a talk and went away moved by what he had heard. One evening as he was reading the New Testament, he came to Matthew 14:31, “ O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” He was sure that this was meant for him, and he laid hold of it. Subsequently, he came again and again to search the Scriptures and pray with Mr. Wang, till he was grounded in an intelligent and satisfying faith. We have referred to an article written by Mr. Shih for publication, expressing views antagonistic to Chris tianity. The paper did not print the article at first, but some time after the lad’s conversion, it appeared. Great was his humiliation, but he openly confessed the wrong to his friends, as well as to God, whereupon peace filled his heart. Mr. Wang says that this young man is a greater ad- [Continued on page 310]
B y EVERETT F. IJARRISON* Changsha, Hunan, China
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n the last day of March, 1931, in the city of Chang sha, central China, one of God’s servants lay down to rest with a heavy burden upon his mind. Sleep would not come, so he arose to pray. After a time, he again sought slumber, but in vain; he rose up for a second prayer vigil. This time God gave peace to his heart. His tired body needed refreshment, but he would not risk sleep until he had written down the stirrings of soul through which the Lord had now given him a fixed resolution. What reso lution? To advertise the gospel through the daily news paper and challenge the reading public for Christ! The man who made that resolution was Mr. T. E. Wang, a teacher in the Hunan Bible Institute. T he N ew W ork L aunched The next morning, Mr. Wang went to the railroad sta tion to welcome a friend. On the platform,' he met a brother in Christ to whom he confided the experience of the previous night and sought advice. The reply was posi tive’ and given without hesitation. “ If God is leading, you need not ask counsel of any one else. Do as He directs.” These words greatly encouraged Mr. Wang to go for ward in faith, and the next few days were spent in laying definite plans for the new venture. Changsha has several newspapers: Mr. Wang went to three of them. He found the first not interested and the second too expensive. The third, however, was favorable to his proposition. With that paper he entered into a contract for daily space of three by four and three-quarters inches, with the under standing that he would submit new material once a week. On the morning of April 7, the first advertisement appeared. While some 20,000 people were reading with surprise a clear and concise statement of salvation through Christ, Mr. Wang was waiting with eager impatience for the response. His article carried his address and an invita tion to write or visit him. He arranged with a fellow teacher to receive inquirers in the event of his absence. That very afternoon, a letter came from a high school student who had never heard the gospel plainly presented. After reading the statement in the paper, he felt that he *Member o f the staff of. the Hunan Bible Institute, the China department o f the Bible Institute of Los Angeles.
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