HOW WE TRAIN THE CHINESE FOR PREACHING.
BY MRS. C. W. SHELDON, TEACHER OF HELPERS.
The one aim and object of our schools is to show the way of life and salvation; so we mix in Bible truth with all our teaching. In all our school-rooms are charts, upon which are printed, in large type, selected passages of Scripture. Some of these texts are read each evening by the school in concert. The helper explains the meaning in Chinese and makes a short practical application of the central truth. Our hymns are gospel hymns, carefully selected, we have prayer both in English and Chinese, and each session of school is closed by the whole school repeating in concert the Lord's Prayer, first in English, then in Chinese. So the work of a helper is largely the teaching of religious truth, and is of great practical benefit in preparing him for preaching.
Besides this drill, we have a class especially for the helpers, a teacher spending two hours a day, for five days in a week, with them. They study reading, spelling—paying particular attention to the meaning of the words—grammar, especially the construction of sentences; with a little history and arithmetic, as there is time for them. But the study of all studies is the Bible; a large part of the time each day is spent in studying it, chapter by chapter and verse by verse, and the end of all study, reading, spelling or whatever it may be, is to understand the Bible, and to be able to explain it to others.
Their pastor, Mr. Pond, gives them one afternoon of each week, spending two or three hours in exclusive Bible study. Two or three chapters are assigned them for study the previous week, and these chapters are carefully reviewed. They bring up anything that has perplexed them, any truth that they do not quite understand, and he makes the meaning as clear as possible. Each one is expected to bring in a sermon from a text given him the previous week. This sermon he reads himself to his pastor, who makes such remarks and suggestions as he thinks may be helpful. The sermons are prepared in this way: The day teacher explains the meaning of the text and the practical lessons it teaches, parallel passages are read that will bring the meaning into clearer view, and it is talked over, so that each one may have a definite idea of what is expected of him. Those who have not had much practice in sermonizing first make a rough copy in pencil, which is corrected by the teacher, after which it is carefully written out with a pen.
We have among our helpers one whose sermons, in their clear insight into the very heart and spirit of the Gospel, in their depth of thought, in their originality of expression and their logical connection, would do credit to a graduate of a theological seminary. Indeed, many a graduate has written worse sermons. One of our class has a sparkling vivacity of expression; his points are pointed, and his illustrations are frequently apt and telling. One of our helpers some time since was highly educated in Chinese. He had a great reverence for Confucius, having carefully studied his writings, committing large portions of them to memory, as is the custom among Chinese scholars. He once made this comparison between Confucius and Jesus. He said: "They are like two bridges. They are both noble structures. You admire the strength of the timbers and the way in which they are framed together, forming the solid foundation and the graceful arch rising above it. You walk on the bridge of Confucius; it is all right till you come to the river of death; then you see the black waters rolling before you—and there is no plank on which you may cross to the shore beyond. Jesus Christ is a completed bridge, over which you may safely pass to the Heavenly home, and to the mansion He has prepared for your eternal habitation."
We do not attempt to teach them any abstruse system of theology; we bring before their minds Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Saviour of men. This text comes up more frequently than any other in their sermons: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life!" We tell them of his pure sinless life; how He went about healing and helping the bodies and the souls of men; how He willingly, gladly died upon the cross that He might bring salvation near, and how He rose from the dead in victory over death and hell; that He now lives in Heaven; that He hears even our whispered prayers, and that He will give His spirit to them whose hearts are open to receive it; that if we would be His disciples we must have His spirit—we must be like Him.
The work is not our own; it is God's work; and we use not our own, words, but God's words, relying upon the promise, "My word shall not return to me void." We have faith to believe that China shall become a Christian nation, whose God is the Lord, and that the Chinese trained in our schools have an important work to do in bringing it to pass. With this faith we work and pray, and we believe that God's blessing is upon us. A Chinaman knows how to read the hearts of his countrymen as one not of them cannot learn to do. If he has a clear knowledge of Gospel truth, and is filled with the Spirit, he can go back to his native land ready for immediate service. A foreigner must spend years in learning a difficult language, and in studying the manners, customs and hearts of a puzzling people. The native knows his people; a very great advantage in his favor. Some of our number are now in China doing good work for the Master. Each year more and more will return; we wish them to be fully armed and equipped for effective service. The Gospel day has already dawned upon portions of that dark land. May it grow brighter and brighter till it reaches its full meridian, making every nook and corner luminous, and sending warmth and glow into every home and heart in that vast empire.