THE CHINESE.
A CHINESE CHRISTIAN IN CHINA.
Chin Toy was a shoemaker until he accepted my invitation to become a Missionary Helper. His education, in English and as a Christian, has been wholly in our humble mission work. He is now engaged in evangelistic service. Having recently returned from a visit to his native land, I asked him to give me an account of his experience there. I give it below to the readers of the Missionary. W.C. POND.
DEAR PASTOR:—You asked me kindly to give you my experience during my visit in China. I stayed home about ten months. I had a very hard time there at first, because I have no Christian friends who live near enough to help me. The temptations around me very great. My father and my uncle wanted me to help in their store: they had sacrifice-paper and candles for the offering of idols for sale. This hurted my feeling very much. I told them I was a Christian. I could not help in that business, for I know it was against the law of the true God. They laughed at me and said I was very foolish to believe such a doctrine. I found it very difficult to enlighten their minds.
Two weeks after I got home was a birthday of my grandfather, who died many years ago. My father set some sacrifices on the parlor table, before the ancestral tablet; he wanted me to bow down and worship with him, but I refused. I told him while I honored my grandfather a great deal, yet I could not worship him. The Christians only worship the one true God. This made him very angry at me, he so angry that he did not take his breakfast that morning. From this time on, my father was cross to me very often, he called me a man without conscience. I did not mind about that, for I knew he loved me in his heart. He had not learned what Christianity was. I tried to please him all I could. When he scolded me I answered him softly. I prayed for him and for all my relatives every day. I asked the Lord to send the Holy Spirit to them, that they might prove what was good. Two or three months afterward, I found my father and relatives changed a great deal. They seemed to like Christianity more than they did.
Sometimes I showed them some things which they never saw before, such as photograph album, Holy Bible, book of mission stories with many pictures in it. I explained the pictures to them and they were all pleased. I also told them that these good books were presented by my kind teachers. I gave the names of these faithful workers of the Lord and said they were the best friends of the Chinese, the reason was that they love Jesus. I then went on and told them about the true God, and his blessed Son Jesus, who love the whole world. They all kept quiet and listen attentively. Besides these, I show them my coal-oil stove, alarm clock, thermometer, etc. These things greatly pleased them. I told them the wonderful arts, the machineries, railways and the telegraphs. These news led them spoke out in a loud voice, "The people in Christian land have more wisdom than our Chinese." I said, "God gave this wisdom, our Chinese must love the true God and forsake the idols, then God will send the Holy Spirit to make us wise and happy, and love to do good. The Bible says, Trust the Lord and do good." After this, I found opportunity to preach the gospel every day. Though I could not make them become Christians yet, I was glad they shew so much interest in receiving the good seeds. Nearly every day, some people came in our little store and asked me to tell them about this new doctrine. During March, Rev. C.R. Hager paid us a visit. Our store was crowded with people. They all came to see him. He preached to them. Several of the students had a long talk with him.
On the day of my marriage, my father did not compel me to worship the idols and ancestors. I felt very thankful for the Lord's help in this matter. My mother used to believe in all kinds of superstitions. If any one in the family was sick, she would go to a sorcerer and ask for some charms to heal the sick one. I told her that this kind of belief and doing were all wrong. I shew her how to pray the true God, and taught her to say the Lord's prayer. One day my sister was sick in bed, and my mother called me home to pray for her. I asked my mother whether she had been to the sorcerer or not. She said she had not. I then opened the Bible and read the first eleven verses from the fourth chapter of Matthew. I knelt and prayed, while my mother and all the rest of the family kept silent. When I said the Lord's prayer at the close, I asked them to follow me, but they were too bashful to comply. I am glad to say that my sister's health was restored, and this greatly pleased my mother.
During the month of March, the Chinese worship their ancestors at their respective graves. This kind of worship has two meanings, one is to repair and decorate the graves, the other, to worship with sacrifice, consisting of already cooked chicken and pork, and paper which represents money and clothing. My father and relatives, of course, follow the same custom. I accompanied them to the graves, but I only helped them in repairing the graves. Some of these relatives were school teachers. They spoke scornfully at me for not worshiping. They said, "You cannot show honor to your ancestors without kneeling before them." I then said to them, "Can you tell me the origin of sacrifice? Who established it, and for what purpose?" This seemed to strike them like lightning, for they all stood and had nothing to say. I then said, let me give you the origin. I told them that after God created heaven and earth and all things, he finally made a man and a woman, and placed them in Eden, the paradise, and how they sinned against God's command by eating the forbidden fruit. This brought death into the world. They were driven out of Paradise and had to work hard for a livelihood, but God was so merciful that he promised that the seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the serpent; that is, he would provide a Saviour, by which death could be conquered. God told them that when they sinned again, they must offer sacrifice and confess their sins, then God would forgive them. From that time on, the people offer sacrifice. This sacrifice is a type of Jesus, who gave his life and died on the cross for all who are willing to believe in him. So Jesus paid it all, and after his crucifixion there is no more offering required. That is the reason why the Christians do not offer sacrifice, and why I do not worship in this manner. For no one deserves our worship but God alone. I only honor the ancestors with my heart. I love them just as much as you do yourselves.
When they heard this explanation, they were greatly surprised. Then they spoke among themselves by saying, "His doctrine is good; this is all news to us; our Confucius books never tell us about the origin of sacrifice." This seemed to break down their pride a great deal, and after this they shew great willingness to listen to the Word of Life. Oh! how I long to have them learn of Jesus and become His followers. I not only pray for them, but every one in our village. May the Lord bless the seed sown in their hearts. Moreover, may He enlighten every soul in China. Yours in Christ, CHIN TOY.
We are in need of clothing to be sent to our mission stations in the South. Second-hand clothing will be of use if it is yet durable. All such helps should be sent to our office in New York, 56 Reade St., and we will forward promptly where most needed.