Willmar tribune., 1916-07-12
FROM CHINA MISSIONARIES.
Brief Extracts From Circular Letter
From r. v. Porteous Of the
China Inland Mission.

China Inland Mission.
Yuanchow, China, Feb. "a, 1916.
Another busy year has flown and
with It nearly two months of 1915.
Some of you are hungry for news from
Yuanchow, (Ki.) SO let me nutshell
some of the triumphs Of the Cross in
our midst.
Loo-Tzwen, a wicked little town 40
Ii to the north, has now got place of
worship. The small white-roofed
Chapel Shows up In the midst of the
dark dingy buildings surrounding it,
who but three to four brief years ago
were entirely without the light of the
Gospel, but are now turning to the
light, having provided the site and
most of the labour and expense con-
nected with the erection of this their
first and only church, of which they
are duly proud.
In October I went to conduct the
Dedicatory Services at Chi'an (Rev.
e. A. Brownlee's Statdon), three long
days. journey over mountainous roads.
Great crowds assembled during the 4
days. meetings at which thousands
heard the gospel message. Amongst
those who attended were the Chief
Magistrate, officials and gentry, schol-
ars and teachers from the Government
schools, the leading merchants and
tradesmen, etc. Never since coming
to China some II or IL years ago have
I had such glorious opportunities Of
presenting Gods "Unspeakable Gift" ;"
We spent our New Year at Ping
hsiang where we had three days.
Gospel campaign, including open airs
in different parts of the city. I took
my little organ out and we sang,
''There is a Gate That's Open Wide,' -
Chinese version, (not Islands Ajar")
in front of the big gate leading into the
officials residence. We did have q
crowd that day. Ten trophies were
baptised and added to the church
there.
The Ping-hsiang church continues
to partly support the Gospel work
among the miners, engineers, etc., at
An Yuen, though l have just heard
that the little preaching shop has been
burst open and the furnishings stolen.
Does this not emphasize the need for
intercession on behalf Of that verit-
able Sodom, with some 10000 money
grahbers and pleasure-seekers in it.
They do need Salvation.
At 'Gin.Sway' 60 Ii GO miles) dis
tant, the work is very promising. A
large number Of young men are at
tending the services, some of them
walk three English miles to attend the
evening meetings, returning the same
distance about 10 p. m., and yet some
wise people tell us that the old Cos
pePs played out, etc. 1t doesn't quite
look like that, does it? These dear
young fellows have just lately sub
scribed 141, 900 cash to provide place
of worship which is another proof of
the sincerity of their love to Christ.
We have just concluded our annual
meetings. This year we were special
ly privileged in having Gods honored
servants Rev. J. and Mrs. Goforth with
us. Words fail me to tell all their
visit meant to us. Deeply spiritual
and beautifully natural their presence
among us was benediction in itself
At Mr.. Goforth's request the meetings
were arranged for days-Sunday to
Sunday. Gods power was felt In ou1
midst and many hearts were brought
low before Him.
We had a daylight prayer meeting
daily-very precious heart-search1ne
times during these seasons of waiting
upon God. The forenoon and after
noon services each day were taken
by Rev. J. Goforth who delivered pow
erful addresses which would have
been more abundantly fruitful had II
not been for the difficulty many OF ou1
people had in understanding the north
ern dialect Mr.. Goforth spoke III
clear Peking Mandarin which d1ner:
considerably from the southern ant
local dialect.
We rejoice however for what Got
has wrought" in our midst Our faftl
has been strengthened, our Leaders
have been blessed, relish for praye'
and Bible study has been revived.
With hearty greetings in the Lort
to you all, in which Mrs. Porteou
joins me.
Yours in Christ's service,