Evening star., 1943-04-18

I have been a Christian for sew
eral years and during that time I
have been constant reader Of the
Bible. Never before was the sacred
bookeso interesting to me as during
my two weeks captivity in Sian.
This unfortunate affair occurred
suddenly and Il found myself in
captivity without a single earthly
belonging. From my captors I
asked but one thing: the Bible. In
my solitude I had ample opportun-
ity for reading and meditation. The
greatest and love of Christ burst
upon me with new inspiration, in
creasing my strength to struggle
against evil, to overcome tempta-
ton. and to uphold Righteousness
I was deeply. conscious Of a strong
spiritual support, Tor, which I ex-
tend hearty thanks to all my fell
low-C Christians who prayed for me,
and to which + testify that the
name Of God may be glorified- .
In all my meditations the words
of Christ recurred and provided me
with rich spiritual sustenance.
Truly great is the love Of Christ.
Surrounded as I was by enemies,
and in their power, I recalled how
He entreated forgiveness for His
own enemies: Father, forgive
them; for they know not what they
do"
Unity Of State Threatened.
Before I went to Shensi I was
already aware Of the perverted
thoughts and unusual activities in
the army there. had received re-
ports Of the intrigues and revolu-
tionary rumblings that we're threat
eningto undermine the unity Of the
State.
My associates tried to persuade
me to abandon the journey, but I
replied: Nov that our country is
unified and the foundation of the
State established, the commander
in chief Of the armies has RESPONSE
bilities from which he dare not
withdraw. have dedicated my soul
and body to the service Of China
without regard to my personal
safety"
When Christ entered Jerusalem
the last time He knew the danger
ahead, but triumphantly He rode
into the city without fear. What
greatness! What courage! In COM
parison how unimportant my life
must be! So why should I hesitate.
My fondness for my troops has
always been as great as the love
between brothers, and this love
drew me into the heart of the re-
bellion. This disregard of danger
caused deep concern to the govern
ment and worried the people, and
numerous prayers were offered by
Christian friends.
Following my detention my cap
tors made demands, offered terms,
f1attered me, threatened violence
and torture and a public trial by
the Peoples Front" On every
hand was danger, but my faith in
Christ increased and I had no
thought of yielding to pressure.
Lords Temptation Recalled.
In this strange predicament I dis
tinctly recalled the 40 days and
nights our Lord withstood tempta-
tion in the wilderness, His prayers
IN the garden of Gethsemane, the
lndignities heaped upon Him at
His trial, and the prayers He Of
fered for His enemies while dying
upon the cross. I remembered the
prayers offered by DR.. Sun Yat-sen
during his imprisonment in Lon
don. These scenes passed vividly
before me again like so many pic
lures.
My strength was redoubled to re-
sist the recalcitrants, and with the
vision of Christ on the cross be-
fore me was prepared to make the
final sacrifice if called on to do so.
Having determined upon this course
Of action, was comforted and at
rest.
Following the settlement of the
Sian affair, the rebels were nat
urally frightened, knowing that
their actions were reasonable. But
1 remembered Christ's injunction to
forgive those who sin against us
40 times seven times" upon their
repentance, and I felt that they
should be allowed to start life anew.
At the same time I was humbled
because my own faith had not been
strong enough to influence and re-
strain my followers.
am an ardent follower of the
revolution begun by DR.. Sun Yat-sen
and based by him on San Min Chu
principles Of the people,. DR.. Sun
was a Christian and the greatest
thing about him was the love he re-
ceived from ChriSt-love which