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THE KING’S BUSINESS
see his look as with a promise to get the Bible and accordion for him, the hymn book was given him. He was so thank ful for everything and finally said to the worker: “Let us talk to God together.” He closed the door, and we knelt, the dear fellow saying “I pray in Chinese,” which he did. He seemed strong and more ready to witness for Him, and was so happy that he made the worker a present o f some fine silk goods, to show his appreciation.- He left with his needs fully satisfied, and is today on the high seas again. A very rare exception to the usual indif ference shown by .the vast majority of American captains and men, came to our notice recently. The captain o f this par ticular American “wind-jammer” is called “the missionary captain,” and judging from all the testimony heard, he is one indeed. Every Sunday he gathers all his crew on deck whereyer they are on the- High seas, and preaches a 1 sermon to them. He has the 'reputation o f treating his men better than any other captain, paying them better and,always having a crew. Apparently he isn’t one o f those preachers Dr. Torrey told o f in class as writing to him, saying “ I’m all out o f texts; send me some texts.” The worker is arranging to . supply some good books on B ibleJstudy such as Dr. Torrey’s “What the Bible Teaches’s and something on the second comipg of Christ.
Pray for this captain; he is a real man. The other day while engaged in Gospel work on a Japanese freighter, a leaflet was left in the chief officer’s cabin, and the chief officer himself was (met on the deck a few minutes later. He said “ I know you ; you came to speak to me on the Mayachi Maru.” The worker remembered that vessel’ well, and it finally dawned on him that on that vessel the chief officer had accepted Christ. (This was on August 24th, 1916, and he was the first fruits of the San Francisco work, .the first convert on our records), “You are not the first officer o f the Mayachi?” He said “I am.” Into the cabin we both went and o f course the first question was “ How are you get ting along in the Christian life?” He was very frank and said, slowly, “Jesus treated me well all the time, but I didn’t treat Him so all the time.” Going to the root o f the matter, we found that' he was steadfast and that the Lord was very reial to him. It was not lack o f faith, but the knowledge o f his Shortcomings in the sight o f Jesus who had done so much for him, that made him see so clearly his own unworthiness. “Jesus, is very precious to me,” he said, “and I know I belong to Him.” W e thanked God for this opportunity o f opening the Book to him, and showing him how to get food for his soul.
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THE WORK IN HUNAN, CHINA Dr. Frank A. Keller, Supt.
( Y N January.TOth I wrote to Mr. Horton, ^ “ Conditions are now fairly quiet in Hunan.” At that time Yochow, ninety miles north of us, was occupied by Northern soldiers, iand Changsha was in the posses sion of the South. Rapidly the South moved against Yochow, defeated the North there and drove the soldiers out o f the city. Before leaving, the North burned part of the city, and on entering it,, the South'fin ished the job, burning practically the entire
city and reducing it to ruins. Mission aries and Red Cross docto.rs were driven from the Red Cross hospital at the point o f the bayonet, and Northern wounded sol diers were murdered in their beds by the Southerners. Rapidly the Southerners moved North, saying they would have possession of Han kow by Chinese New Year (February 11th). Just how far they got we do not know. Peking sent, down strong re-in forcements
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