REVIVAL IN CHINA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16492, 9 November 1927, Page 5

REVIVAL IN CHINA

ON EVE OF UNPARALLELED SPIRITUAL PROGRESS COMMUNISTS NOW IN HIDING (B v George T. B. Davis.) Several months ago Communism was sweeping over China, like a tidal wave. The movement was accompanied by intense persecutions of the Christians. Desecration of churches and looting of mission station property was in progress. To-day a. change is taking place. The onward sweep of Communism has been checked. In some places the Communists are in hiding instead of the Christians. The opposition to Communism by the Chinese people has increased very much during the past few months. This is the Lord’s doing. It is a striking testimony to the power of united intercession. A great, volume of persistent believing intercession is still needed to make the victory complete. Whilst the anti-Christian agitation is still strong, it is perceptibly decreasing, and in one district it lias ceased entirely. The miraculous manner in which tl'ys has taken place is related by Mr. H. Becker, of l Hunan, who states that the students forced the people into a big parade. They wanted to take some Christian and •mission helpers and drive them through the streets. The whole city became nervous. A day of lasting and prayer was held by the Christians. The parade was a big one, but except for some crying out against the Christians, no personal violence was done. A few days later the students organised a. \ greatlantern parade and proposed to destroy the mission chapel. Just when the great procession began a heavy thunderstorm broke, causing everyone to flee. Much prayer proceeded, and the rain continued. The students began the parade again on a later evening. Just ns it started fire broke out in the general’s house, and the soldiers turned and drove the parade home with rifles and knives. The missionaries took charge of the severely wounded men. All the anti-Christian movement in this district, declares Mr. Becker, has completely disappeared. The people are as friendly as ever. It is a real miracle. No one could have foreseen such a change. Just as prayer has been marvellously answered and forces have been raised up to oppose and put down Communism in China, so, in answer to prayev from many lands, He ran send a spiritual awakening sweeping through China. Already remarkable revivals have occurred in certain places. The outpouring of the Spirit, largely upon the lines of the famous Welsh revival, lias been seen in two districts. Mr. A. J. Smith, writing from Tamingfn. Chihli province, describes the intensity of prayer made for spiritual revival. The best, hours of the day and night were spent in prayer. Encouraging letters arrived from abroad saying friends wore also praying for revival.

“God wrought far beyond our fondest expectations.’’ declared Mr. Smith. '“Had anyone told ns five months ago what would take place among the Chinese and foreigners we should not have believed it. After several weeks the burden of prayer came upon the Chinese Christians. They would get, tip at midnight, and weep and pray for the lost. They would get up early in the morning in the dark and cold and pray for a revival.

“Thousands of confessions have been made. The best, workers confessed to' sins in their lives. Restitution was made to the extent of hundreds of dollars. There was little preaching done. Such praying, such Godly sorrow for siiw, I have never witnessed in all my life.”

Almost simultaneously an equal and even more remarkable outpouring took place in the Chari Chen district, across the border/in Shantung province. A narrative of this movement and the transformation in the native church was written by Mr. L. C. Osborn, who said: “Since tlie revival began the Chinese have shouldered responsibility as never before. A large part of the work heretofore carried bv tlu* missionaries, has been shifted to,the shoulders ol the Chinese. The missionaries give themselves to prgver and the preaching of the Word.”

This revival spread to outstations and whole families were united and reconciled to each other. There was much weeping and people dropping on their knees and confessing their sins. Dismissed church members were praying for mercy. Those who had given ■ up hope were, mightily revived. People came in from miles around. God was in the midst. Some ran away from the meetings under deep conviction, ret liming next day in sackcloth and ashes, bitterly repenting. Before this revival began if was impossible for the Chinese to see the importance of strict Sabbath Day observance. Now conviction seizes them and they are strongly reproved themselves for desecration of the. Lord s day.

“We are on the eve of an era of unparalleled spiritual progress in China. What God lias done He. can do again. What He lias done in one place He can do in «‘\ll places. Therefore let us pray and believe for a mighty revival. Christians throughout the world can have a definite share in intercession for a great spiritual awakening in China. There will lie 100,000 more Christians in China two years from now,’’ declares a leading Chinese evangelist from Hongkong.

In response to a world-wide appeal from the China Inland Mission Society a united prayer gathering will be held in Gisborne on Friday next, Armistice Day, at the Y.M.C.A. rooms.