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The Fulfilment of a Dream of Pastor Hsi's
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
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
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.
1
Heavenly Invitation Office ("Pastor Hsi's" translation).
2
The raised brick or mud platform, heated by a fire, used as a bed in North China.
3
It was on the occasion of this visit that Mr. Hsi was ordained pastor.
4
Yamen=law courts or Mansion House.
5
From Fire and Sword in Shansi, by Dr. E. H. Edwards.
6
The Precious Regulations, a book written under the Sung Dynasty. Its main tenets are derived from Buddhism, though some writers inscribe the book among the Taoist documents. Its sub-title explains its contents: "A precious record of examples published by the mercy of Yu Di (the Jade Emperor to whom is entrusted the superintendence of the world, the Jupiter of the Taoists), that men and women may repent them of their faults and make atonement for their sins." It includes a description of the Ten Courts of Hell and the judgments pronounced therein.
7
Vermicelli – cut with a knife.
8
The space between two beams in a Chinese building.
9
The polite term for the wife of an official.
10
This remarkable custom is declared by Marco Polo to be peculiar to North China.
11
Sewing-machine.