October 1928
T h e
K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
597
The Sons of Sinim in the South Seas By R. A . J affray
HE Chinese are the commercial people of the East. The overflow of this, the greatest race numerically in the world, into, many 6f the countries round about China, and even to far distant lands, is due not only to overcrowded „ conditions in their own country, but also to the fact that as a people they are commercially enterprising and aggressive. Everywhere throughout the South Sea Islands, the world-renowned Chinese merchant may be found diligently trading with the native. For example, in Borneo at the ports where we called, most of the shops were Chinese. They venture inland)'
into conversation with a photographer, who said that when he was a child, he had been baptized. He did not seem to be able to remember anything about it since then. He had had a Bible when he was young, but had forgotten to bring it with him when he left China to come to these parts,. He did not know what prayer meant. As I talked with him I tried to point him to the Lord Jesus, the only Saviour, and referred again to the Bible. His face suddenly brightened up and he said, “ Oh, yes, now I remember. There was an old book and a new book, was there not?'' “ Yes,” I replied, “ the Old Testament and the New Testament.” “ That’s so,” he continued
fearing nothing, and constitute them selves middle-men commercially be tween “ the wild man” o f the interior and the various races that occupy the coast cities. They take the product o f the coast cities and sell it to the native of the interior. They take the product o f the interior and bring it to the coast. The Chinese is a great business; man. When there is a good govern ment which insures peaceful condi tions, ' “ John Chinaman” prospers most. Why should he care though America owns the Philippine Islands, though Britain o w n s Hongkong,
with a smile of satisfaction. “ I re member. The Old Testament is the book o f the Roman Catholic Church, and the New Testament is the Jesus Church book [Protestant], I remem ber it all now !”- Poor fellow! This was all he knew about the Gospel. From Donggala we traveled south down the Straits of Makassar, to the next port, Pare-pare. We arrived here a little after noonday, and in asmuch as there is a bus line from this port into the capital city, Makas sar, I determined, with a number of Chinese friends, to make the trip overland. At Samarinda I had met
M r . Jaffray
has been taking K ing ' s B usiness readers with him on a tour o f the South Sea Islands, touching sec tions where no witness for Christ has been given. God grant that these needy fields may be laid upon the hearts o f many o f our readers. The harvest truly is great. Pray that laborers may be raised up and doors opened.
Singapore and North Borneo; though France owns Indo- China; though the Dutch own Java, Sumatra, Borneo, the Celebes, and hundreds of other islands in the East Indies? A large portion of the business of all these various pos sessions is owned by him. In some parts big business interests in rice, rubber, sugar, and cocoanut plantations are in his hands, to say nothing of smaller lines of business, storekeepers, etc. Many Chinese young men have come from their native land to the South Seas as ordinary working men, coolies, and ere long have become pro prietors in charge of their own business. O bject of the T rip The object o f the writer’s recent trip to the South Sea Islands was twofold. First, to seek out those parts and those tribes of the South Sea Islands where no witness for Christ has been given, and endeavor to open work in these most needy fields, especially among the aboriginal tribes o f the interior of the islands. Second, to seek out Chinese brethren who in large numbers have migrated to the South Seas, and to whom there has been very little, if any, witness o f the Gospel. In a previous article I have already referred to the Chinese in Sandakan in British North Borneo, and in Balik-papan and Samarinda in Dutch Borneo. May I now continue a brief account of the remainder o f my journey? Crossing the Straits of Makassar from Samarinda, it was my privilege to visit Donggala and other ports of the Celebes. At Donggala, where our vessel anchored for half “a day, I visited several Chinese stores. I did not find anyone who knew the Lord Jesus Christ. Most of them had never heard of Him at all. Finally I entered
a young man whose father was Fukienese and his mother Javanese. He was a traveling salesman from Surabaya. He spoke a little English and we soon became good friends. I accompanied him on the bus to Makassar. The ride into Makassar was very interesting. For five hours our bus carried us swiftly over good roads down the coast of the Celebes) passing through many villages and markets, the whole country being thickly populated. I inquired as to what race o f people these were, for I observed that fellow passengers speaking Malay and Java nese did not understand them. I was told that they were Boegis, and that their language was entirely different from the other races. “ Is there any missionary work being done among these people?” I asked. “ None,” was the answer. Later this sad truth was confirmed by the Missionary Consul in Batavia. There is no missionary working among the Boegis people in their own language. D eeply B urdened for S ouls As I entered Makassar, the evening shades were gath ering and I felt a deep burden for souls upon my heart. I knew that I had three days to spend in Makassar before my steamer left for Surabaya, and I felt deeply exercised in spirit and sent up an earnest prayer to the Lord, that I might be clearly led o f Him from the very start to accomplish all that He wished me to accomplish for Him in this city. I asked the Lord that He would guide me quickly to the right person who could help me. Makassar is a city o f about 55,000 inhabitants, and I did not know a solitary soul in the city. I had no letters
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs