CONCLUSION
BEING A REVIEW OF THE PRESENT SITUATION
IT is now thirty years since foreigners came to reside in Hwochow,
during which time three generations of women missionaries have succeeded
each other. The period has been divided accurately at the fifteenth year
by the Boxer riots and massacres. The many who have helped in varied
ways to make this work possible may rightly ask; "Is not this period
sufficient to establish a self-propagating Church independent of
foreigners?"
It would be hard to over-emphasise the need of the wisdom required at
the stage immediately preceding the final lapse of total responsibility
upon the shoulders of the native Church, that the move should not be
made too hastily or at an inopportune moment; even more emphatically,
that the Church should not be driven to establish on a factional basis a
so-called independent sect in opposition to the foreigner, in order to
secure the freedom and control for which it was ripe. Faith, hope, and
courage, without which the pioneer missionary's work must inevitably
fail, find their counterpart in the spirit of wisdom and understanding
required for the proper adjustment of the new relationship, whereby the
Chinese Christian, not in word, but in deed and in truth, may take
precedence. It is easy to gain ready acquiescence to this theory of
equality, but as was immediately evidenced when the strong and
independent Pastor Hsi arose, the situation in its practical bearing is
not easily handled.
A word to the intending missionary: Be ready to lay aside your
preconceived ideas as to how the Gospel should be preached, how Church
matters should be handled, discipline enforced, and your own position in
the Church.
Come as a learner, and men who were Christians before you emerged from
childhood will give you the benefit of a ripe experience, and if you
prove worthy of it, admit you to fellowship in service.
In view of the preceding chapters, few words will serve to review on
general lines the situation as it has developed during these thirty
years in Hwochow.
The first fifteen called for unremitting effort in breaking up new
ground, broadcast sowing of the seed, and establishing between Chinese
and foreigner some measure of confidence. The second period has been one
of reaping from the very commencement. Extraordinarily rapid development
on every hand brought about new conditions which in turn necessitated
new methods, so that the missionary is no longer the main instigator of
Church activities, but takes his place in a large and far-reaching
organisation.
The work of evangelisation and all elementary teaching require no
foreign help, but we still seem to be necessary for the organisation
which is giving training and advanced teaching to the men and women whom
we hope to see equipped in every respect as well, and better, than we
ourselves have been.
All non-institutional work amongst men is already in Chinese hands.
Pastor Wang and eight deacons take entire oversight of the Church of
nearly four hundred members, the examining and accepting of candidates
for baptism, as well as arrangements for Sunday services in each of the
eight out-stations, where the local Christians have, at their own
expense, supplied a building for public worship where daily service is
held. In addition to this, the entire evangelistic organisation,
Elementary Boys' School and Opium Refuge, form part of their
responsibility.
The more aggressive work includes a Chinese Evangelistic Society
entirely free from foreign money and control, the object of which is to
open up new districts, preach at fairs, and widely distribute Gospels
and tracts.
In the busiest thoroughfare of the city, a preaching hall is daily
opened which is freely frequented by merchants and travellers.
The systematic instruction of men, both Church members and inquirers, is
supplied by means of short station classes held at convenient times by
the Pastor, or by some foreign missionary whom he may invite.
With the exception of the Elementary Boys' School just mentioned, the
men's institutional work is carried on in the neighbouring city of
Hungtung, where, under the presidency of the Rev. F. Dreyer, a Bible
Training Institute for men has been established. The students are drawn
not only from our own, but other provinces, and during the two years'
course a careful and thorough training is given in theoretical and
practical work. A long preaching list is served by these men in
conjunction with a large band of local preachers. To Mr. Dreyer's
influence amongst these men we, as many other stations, owe some of our
best helpers. The Hungtung institutional work is supplemented by a
Higher Grade School for boys, the pupils of which are largely drawn from
the fourteen Elementary Schools scattered throughout the district. Mr.
E. J. Cooper, assisted by Chinese graduates of Weihsien University, is
responsible for this department. Many former pupils are in charge of
village schools, the examining and superintendence of which is conducted
from the centre. It is thus possible for the sons of Church members to
obtain a thorough and Christian education in their immediate
neighbourhood. The necessary demands for institutional work for the
several counties mentioned throughout this book, are thus met by the two
stations of Hungtung and Hwochow. United with these to form a General
Allied Council to secure unity of action in all far-reaching
enterprises, and to avoid multiplication of work (though each local
church remains independent and self-governing), are the stations
situated in the cities of Chaocheng, and Yoyang, now severally in charge
of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Taylor and Mr. and Mrs. F. Briscoe, whose time is
occupied with pastoral and evangelistic work.
Mrs. Hsi still remains in Chaocheng, and carries on her work amongst the
women of that city. She, in company with Mrs. Liang and three others,
has been chosen by the Church to be set apart to the office of
deaconess. She is now sixty-four years of age, and her physical strength
is visibly failing.
Mrs. Hsi's life and example is one of the treasures of the Shansi
Church. She has served faithfully and long in active Christian work, and
she recently told me that she is now giving herself to prayer and
fasting more than was possible during the most active period of her
life.
For this effectual share in the present conflict, for her love and
friendship, and for her continued presence amongst us, we give thanks
unto God.
* * * * *
Thus we believe the Church has been rooted and established, no longer
propagated by any external energy, but whose seed is in itself.
The dream is so far fulfilled. More than thirty years ago Mr. and Mrs.
Hsi, in faith, brought their small offering as a child once offered his
barley loaves and laid them in the Master's Hand, Who gave thanks and
blessed.
In these pages the story is recorded of the sower, the waterer, and the
reaper, who laboured in tears and in joy.
Of the increase which God alone can give, no human record can tell, but
told it shall be in the day when those from every nation, kindred, and
tribe shall unite to ascribe honour and glory unto Him who liveth and
reigneth for ever and ever!
"So have I dreamed! Oh may the dream be true!
That praying souls are purged from mortal hue . . .
And grow as pure as He to Whom they pray."
HARTLEY COLERIDGE.
APPENDIX
CONTAINING
BIBLE TRAINING SCHOOL COURSE OF STUDY
AND
SPECIMEN QUESTIONS OF THE NORMAL TRAINING COLLEGE FINAL EXAMINATION
PAPERS
(_INSERTED BY REQUEST_)
HWOCHOW WOMEN'S BIBLE TRAINING SCHOOL
_COURSE OF STUDY_
FIRST TERM
Book of Genesis.
Gospel according to St. Luke or St. Mark.
Acts of the Apostles, chapters i. to ix.
"A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible."
Reading Lessons, with necessary Explanation and Writing of Chinese
Character.
Arithmetic.
Singing and Memorisation of Hymns.
SECOND TERM
Book of Exodus, Numbers, and 1 Samuel i. to xvi.
The Gospel according to St. John.
The Epistle of St James.
"A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible"--(_continued_).
Reading Lessons, with necessary Explanation and Writing of Chinese
Character.
Arithmetic.
Singing and Memorisation of Hymns.
PRACTICAL WORK.--Assist in conducting Elementary Classes for Women.
THIRD TERM
Book of Leviticus, Joshua, and 1 Samuel xvii. to xxxi.; Ezra and
Nehemiah.
The Gospel according to St. Matthew.
The Epistle to the Hebrews.
"A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible"--(_conclusion_).
Studies in Christian Doctrine.
Reading Lessons, with necessary Explanation and Writing of Chinese
Character.
Arithmetic.
Singing and Memorisation of Hymns.
Memorisation of Psalms.
_Pilgrim's Progress._
PRACTICAL WORK.--Conduct Elementary Classes for Women, Teach under
Criticism, City and Village Visiting.
FOURTH TERM
Book of Judges, Ruth, Esther, and 2 Samuel.
Life of Elijah and Elisha.
Acts of the Apostles, chapters x. to xxviii.
Studies in Christian Doctrine.
Arithmetic.
Singing and Memorisation of Hymns.
Memorisation of Psalms.
_Pilgrim's Progress_, Part II.
PRACTICAL WORK..--As Term III.
CHINA INLAND MISSION NORMAL TRAINING COLLEGE, HWOCHOW, SHANSI
* * * * *
_SPECIMEN QUESTIONS_
(Drawn from Final Examination Papers, 1915)
SCRIPTURE
What answer did Christ give to the following questions?--"What must we
do that we may work the works of God?" "How can this man give us His
flesh to eat?" "Hast thou seen Abraham?" "How can a man be born when he
is old?"
Name five incidents in the Gospel according to St. John which
illustrate the statement: "He knew what was in man."
Name some of the abuses in the Corinthian Church, and briefly state how
Paul dealt with each.
What period of human history is covered by the Book of Genesis?
Briefly trace the degeneration of the Individual, the Home, and the
Nation, as recorded in the Book of Genesis.
Give an outline of the Book of Ezra.
State briefly the teaching of Christ on the following
subjects:--Fasting, Riches, Rewards, and the Forgiveness of Sin.
The establishment of the Church by Constantine proved to be its
spiritual loss. Quote five verses from Scripture to show this might have
been anticipated.
Mention four reasons which conduced to the spread of the Gospel in the
days of the Early Church.
HISTORY
State clearly the advantages and disadvantages of Feudalism.
What do you know of the Spartan methods of treating children?
What do you know of the following:--Chaucer, Rienzi, Savonarola, Simon
de Montfort, Gladstone, Li Hung-chang, Bruce?
What do you understand by the term "Ostracism"?
Who were the combatants in the following battles:--Crecy, Hastings,
Marathon, Bannockburn, Waterloo?
Give an account of the causes which resulted in the Crusades, or in the
French Revolution.
PHYSIOLOGY
What are the various uses of the Cerebrum, Cerebellum, and Medulla
Oblongata?
Explain the process of "Hearing." Illustrate with diagrams.
What do you know of the Crystalline Lens of the Eye?
What is meant by "Long Sight" and "Short Sight"?
What is the cause of each, and how may each be remedied?
Give a list of the Cranial Nerves.
ZOOLOGY
Draw a diagram of the Blood Vessels of a Fish.
State clearly the main divisions of Zoology, and in detail those of the
Bird Family.
Give a detailed account of the Ant and its habits; illustrate with
diagrams.
Describe the Fauna of the Arctic Regions.
CHEMISTRY
What weight of each of the following compounds is necessary to prepare
50 litres of Oxygen?--Water, Mercuric Oxide, Potassium Chlorate.
Explain the principle of the Dewar bulb.
Define the term "Acid." Enumerate the characteristics of a "Base."
Two compounds were found to have the following compositions: = 43.64 per
cent. phosphorus = 56.36 per cent. oxygen = 56.35 per cent. phosphorus =
43.65 per cent. Show that the Law of Multiple proportion holds in this
case.
CLASSICAL ESSAY SUBJECTS.--"The Path may not be left for an instant; if
it could be left it would not be the Path. On this account the superior
man does not wait until he see things to be cautious, nor see things to
be apprehensive."--CONFUCIUS.
MORGAN AND SCOTT LTD., 12 PATERNOSTER BUILDINGS, LONDON, E. C.
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.