CHINA’S AWAKENING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 73

CHINA’S AWAKENING.

A MISSIONARY’S DESCRIPTION

EXPERIENCES IN SHENSI

The following description of what must be the common experience of medical missionaries in China at the present lime is extracted from a letter sent to a Dunedin resident from the Shensi province by Mr Oliver Burgess, who, it will be remembered, visited New Zealand about two years ago The letter is dated May 2 of this year : “ What a change has taken place in China during 18 months! The fossil rulers of Manchu origin have gone never to return. I have never heard of any Manchus in China becoming Christians, although there may be some of course. This mighty land with its massed millions is moving at last. The i ight of ages is passing. Demons, idols, temples, and priests are at a discount among the educated young rulers, and they are smashing into them earnestly when they can, much to the mortal alarm of the old and ignorant. China has many great difficulties before her, but she is doing very well getting the land into order and bringing peace to the people. There is a wide open door for the truth of God and more readiness on the part of many to listen. Many natives are advocating for their own national Church an imitation of Western lands (America). The keenest side oj the new China is the military organisation. Modern cannon, rifles, bayonets, swords, Western drib and discipline, short hair, tight uniform, leather boots and leggings, tents, saddles, and field-glasses are seen in every camp. Thibet is arming, drilling, and fighting. The Mongols and Manchus are getting Russian arms and instructors. Korea wants to kick off the Japanese yoke—Turkey, the Balkans, Italy, France, and North America, ail have their turn of blood-letting. “ We are busy—wqunded soldiers and militia to attend to daily from 9 to H a.in., preach in Gospel flail til! 1 or p.m., receive visitors, students, merchants, and officials, visit in turn, read,

write, bargain for daily supplies, attend (lock of goats, act as carpenter, do garden repairs, and mind the baby—a- man under authority “We have had three months’ Red

Cross work. Our city nearly fell into the hands of the rebels again in February. A good many lights took place around us—all the badly-wounded officers and men were brought in to us for care, lodgings, and treatment A year ago last February we had the church full of wounded rebels

--perfect devils—and this year we have been busy with loyal soldiers. Over 1090 rebels with wives and children were killed in the last fight. Their stone fort on their hill of defence was stormed and carried —the only Christian 1 know in the district away with the storming party. He left his money in my hands to be used for God’s work should he get killed. He came through safely. 1 have had to chloroform and cut for bullets, shot, and pieces of shell. What an advantage two years in a hospital would have been to one. It is very trying to one’s own nerves to have dangerous operations to perform with little experience and poor instruments. Still, we can beat the miserable native quacks into a cocked hat. One poor fellow' was brought down with a broken arm full of poison. He bad been under a native for a month. Ail the man did was to thrust needles into his arm. I poulticed, and took away six fragments of bone, and he is nearly ready for home. The commander has his hand blown fearfully—the thumb was gone and the back of the hand was blasted open. The native doctor first divined before the idols over a basin of water, and as the omen read ‘fatal’ ho would do nothing for the bleeding man. ‘ Go to the Jesus Hall, said some people. Over he came at the dawn of the morn—bed, luggage, servant, pots and pans —and pleaded for ua *0 save his life We welcomed him, gave

him room, bed and medical care for a month, saved his life, and restored him the use of his hand again. One brave sergeant died in the church. Shot in the lung, he lingered for over 20 days. Mrs Burgess, being a trained nurse, helped me when she could. “Alas, our two mission doctors in Si An, -who cared for over 4000 wounded men, have just died—overwork and little rest —their lives were literally laid down for others. Dr Jenkyne packed and forwarded me some useful medicine only a few weeks before he was in his grave. Who will take their places? I cannot see that the people here are very keen to give up sin, self, and superstition to follow Jesus. Some, no doubt, would like to scrape in at last after they have enjoyed all the pleasures of this life. The thousands of Moslems here know about the downfall of Turkey and are much concerned—‘Fate, fate,’ they say. ‘lt was to be.’ ’’