T H E K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S nized enquirers. So much then for some of the practical results of this hoUse-to- house visitation and preaching of the glorious Gospel by these Biola Bands of which the above is only a “ sample” to which place after place could be added with equally wonderful results, but the above must suffice. “ Over and beyond the immediate re sults of such work there is the ever in creasing friendly interest toward the Gospel and those who represent it in the districts worked by the bands. Then there is the widespread sowing of the precious seed of the Word in the form of Gospel portions, tracts, synopses and other well chosen booklets and tracts explaining the way of salvation. The total number of these works out are 273,503 copies. In addition to these, some 7,295 large Gospel posters with key verses such as ‘God so loved the world . . .’, ‘Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners,’ etc., have been pasted up in the various public thoroughfares, wayside inns and tea shops throughout the district. May we not expect from these a wonderful har vest? ‘My Word shall not return unto me void.V: Local Follow-Up Work “ In addition to the above mentioned work done by these two Biola Bands, various local bands have been formed after the lead, and in a measure adopt ing the methods of the Biola Bands. These local bands have been made up of men who, though they have had little or no education, are nearly all keen soul- winners. One was formerly a Taoist priest, another a carpenter, still.another a tailor, weaver, etc. but they had led others to Christ. We felt that if these men got their food provided and a small remuneration each month to encourage them and provide for clothing,, shoes, etc., they could give themselves to mak ing Christ known from place to place by their testimony and through the printed page. Over 100,000 Gospel por tions, tracts and booklets pointing out the way of life have been put into cir culation by them in the various mar kets, towns and villages which they have worked. Other six new centers have so far been opened as a direct result of these local bands, and at these new cen ters there are thirty-nine new church members and scores of promising en quirers. These too have given gener ously of their worldly possessions for the support of the work. All expenses connected with the rental, furnishing,
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faith. Some of these halls are not very grand in appearance, nor are the fittings of the most comfortable order, but they have the merit of having been provided by themselves without any outside help. In one or two centers they are even pre paring to build, or are in process of building their own new chapels. Early Trophies of the Work “ One of the earlier trophies brought in by these Biola Bands has consecrated his lil^e to the service- of Christ and is now in the Hunan Bible Institute train ing to be an evangelist. ' Among the early trophies were some students from a middle school. These bright , young men were so influenced by the Gospel message that they not only accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour, but during their summer vacation witnessed so faithfully that a good work began at their native place away up in one of the mountain regions. Later on they in vited in the Biola Band, who backed up their testimony by carrying the Gospel into every home in and around that market town extending to a radius of from ten to fifteen li (One “ li” is one- third of a mile). When Mrs. Porteous and I visited them we found that they had rented a hall of their own, where they entertained us royally. We have never forgotten the reception they gave us as we appeared on the brow of the last slope from which we sighted the little town. From there we heard the strains of bugles which turned out to be the call for them to form into, proces sion. Presently we saw two flags being carried at the head of what proved to bè a long queue of gentry, shopkeepers, tradesmen and farmers coming out to welcome us after our long journey over tHé mountains. After the usual formal greetings we all marched along headed by the flags and bugles, and a song of ■welcome, which had been especially composed for the occasion, was sung as we marched along. At the entrance to the main street the wives of those who formed the procession, arrayed in their best attire, were waiting for Mrs. Por teous and escorted her through the streets to the new chapel, which was very tastefully decorated for the occasion. We had some very blessed days of happy fellowship and ministry among them, during Which: time one of the leading gentry publicly confessed Christ, being baptized in a rice bin, no baptistery or other, suitable place being available. _“ At this place we now have a mem bership of five, with some sixty recog
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