Summer Paradise (Bei-Dai-He and Sorai)

In order to bear the stresses of their missionary labor, it was essential that missionaries to China have a respite in the form of a summer vacation in addition to the furloughs they were required to take every seven years. One of the collateral consequences of the Mukden incident was that the Danish missionaries were unable to spend their summer vacations at their usual location, Bei-Dai-He.

Bei-Dai-He had long been a vacation spot for Protestant missionaries of all denominations, even before Anna Bøg's time. In August, 1913, the Irish Protestant missionary physician, Dr. Isabel Mitchell, wrote, "'It is the last night in this dear little cottage by the sea, and I am all alone. What a lovely holiday it has been! Five weeks without a worry or cloud of any kind, and I have built up a store of health and a whole mansion of happy memories, and if I don’t go back for a good hard happy healthful year’s work after all this, I shall be an ungrateful wretch.'" Mitchell then went on to describe an interdenominational Communion service she attended that last evening, in which Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterian and Congregationalists (but not Lutherans) all participated.

Although she was only nine years old at the time, Rev. Niels Buch's daughter, Kirsten Berggreen Buch, remembered well as an adult the impact of the Mukden incident, which occurred while she, her family, and other missionaries were on vacation in Bei-Dai-He in 1931. Here are the memories she described to us in her letters:

“…[M]issionary life is not only hard work but also holiday! We had a wonderful place [Bei-Dai-He, meaning] “North of the river”, a long beach, going riding on donkeys or mules to nice places: The Lotus Hills … The owner ran after the donkey. … [W]e galloped away with the owner running breathless after us. I remember I had a peaceful donkey, whereas my brother sat in state on a mule. As soon as we appeared in the summer time the owner came to wish us welcome and then we could just call them. It was customary that I offered a ride to my guests on my birthday –between 8-14 friends.

“But then came the Japanese occupation of Manchuria and [Bei-Dai-He] was taken over by the new rulers. A lot of summerhouses were … taken over by upper class people, military and others.”

“.. . . just 'south of the wall,' Bei-Dai-He [was] near the town called Qin-huan-dao. But during our last stay there in 1931, we got a telegram from our embassy in [Peking], telling us to return to Manchuria immediately. On September 18, the old city [Mukden] … was bombed by Japanese forces. And in the following months, Japan occupied all Manchuria. ('My' town, Harbin, was in the hands of Japanese forces from February 1932). . . . I do remember the last trip home from 'our summer paradise' Bei-Dai-He, quite well. The wagon had several holes from gun-bullets. We traveled in deep darkness during a long night home to Manchuria. In Bei-Dai-He many Danish missionaries had their most wonderful summer experiences. Now it was 'closed land' for 'us Manchurians'?”

In the late 1930s, however, the missionaries found a new location for their much-needed rest and recreation. It was in Korea which, like Manchukuo, was ruled by Japan:

"Another place was found in the late 30’s: Sorai in Korea. A high peninsula was bought by an American missionary, Dr. Underwood (from the Underwood Typewriter Co.) And he then sold parts of the land to all missionaries interested. Most of them were, of course, Americans, but also some of the Danish missionaries bought a piece of land with a little house with a very important veranda. (My father only rented for two years one of the houses from an American missionary on furlough.) Anna and Elise bought a little house.

"We had some wonderful experiences there: Sunday services, 'point-meetings' out at the very point of the peninsula every Wednesday and Sunday evening with a lot of singing from the 'Fellowship Hymn Book' . . . The youngsters from the boarding school in Pyongyang (Am.) played the trombone or horn, and funny anecdotes were given by different people.

"A special thing every time: Mrs. Underwood – or some other lady -- said . . .: 'I have an announcement!' It was usually about a picnic, or a 'clam chowder dinner' down at the beach, etc. The Americans were fantastic with many ideas. For the youngsters there were: 'tennis and swimming competitions' . . . swimming to an island called 'Star-fish' (about 4 km.) Yes, the days at Sorai Beach were full of charm. And the Danish school children gave a show [with] Danish folk-dances, … gymnastics and a little sketch in English … [At] the end of the summer vacation I remember the American youngsters often had to say goodbye to Korea and go for further high school study in [the] USA. At the 'point-meeting' we then all sang the hymn: 'God be with you, till we meet again!' . . . But with World War Two all the American friends disappeared to [the] USA."

Sources:
Buch, Kirsten Berggreen; letters to authors dated August 11,1999, and November 18, 2005. (Parenthetical comments are by Ms. Buch; our edits are in brackets.)
O'Neill, F.W.S. (Ed.); Dr. Isabel Mitchell of Manchuria (James Clarke & Co., London, 1917), pp. 135-136.

Images:
1 - 1908 postcard of Bei-Dai-He (also called Pei-Tai-Ho), from Wikimedia Commons. In the public domain.
2 - Anna Bøg, second row left; Astrid Buch (wife of Rev. Niels Buch); Kirsten and her brother Børge, July 1931
3 - Elise Bahnson, far left; Anna Bøg far right, entertaining the women missionaries at Sorai Beach
4 - Panoramic view of Sorai Beach
Images 2, 3, and 4 courtesy of Kirsten Berggreen Buch.

Bombs Falling, Soldiers Occupying (Christmas, 1932)

As seen in our previous post, the last building for the women's mission station in Siuyen -- the home for the women missionaries -- was finally constructed in mid-1932. Although the Japanese had invaded Manchuria after the Mukden incident on September 18, 1931, and had established the puppet state of Manchukuo* on February 18, 1932, it took some time for the Japanese to extend their actual rule to the outlying areas, and they were met with varying degrees of resistance.

About the same time as the last building for the women's station was being constructed, the Chinese soldiers in Siuyen were organizing a resistance to the new regime. In mid-December 1932, the Japanese arrived in Siuyen. As it turned out, the mission station was just about the most dangerous place to be in all of Siuyen, since the Chinese soldiers of the resistance chose as their base an abandoned house right next to the station and the area became the focal point of Japanese bombing.

Anna Bøg, with her characteristic alertness to the importance of recording events, wrote a series of private letters home to Denmark describing all that occurred. Excerpts from these letters were later published in the missionary newspaper and we present them here.

We should explain that when Anna Bøg refers to the "old soldiers" she is speaking of the Chinese soldiers resisting the Japanese takeover. Also, when she refers to "the Japanese man's empty house", we know from our research that she is speaking of a house illegally built by a Japanese man during the autumn of 1931 on property adjacent to the mission station that he had only rented for a year. He situated the house right up against the property line of the mission station. Apparently, by winter, 1932, he had either been ejected by the landlord or abandoned the house, as it was by then vacant.

Here are Anna Bøg's letters for the latter part of December, 1932:

"December 13, 1932

"Yesterday and today Japanese airplanes visited us twice. Yesterday, they threw down leaflets in English and Chinese. On the English ones, it said it would be best if foreigners would leave, but if not to go together to a place and raise our own flag. Then they would try to protect us. They said they were only looking for bandits, and that their soldiers were on the way. So, all day long, we have waited for them, but at 6:30 p.m. it is still calm.

"The station has again been full of refugees. Some went home last night but nevertheless the kang is full. They are so anxious, the poor people. The Bible Women have been busy taking care of them. They read and sing with them. They cannot go outside. Some come to me in my room. Some have come who do not normally come here.

"December 15, 1932

"Before I came downstairs this morning, people had already started streaming in. All night, people were fleeing the town. During the morning, the aircraft returned twice, and the sound of cannon fire reached us. It is said that there is fighting out at Tap'ien-ling. All the [old] soldiers have fled the town. The waiting room of the clinic was packed full of women and small children. Even so, the day was calm and quiet here in town. It is said that the hostile forces have been driven back.

"December 16, 1932

"It has been a very eventful day. I awoke this morning to the sound of cannon-fire from not far away. The cook heard shooting throughout nearly the entire night. People streamed into both yards [of the mission station]. During the forenoon, the aircraft returned four times. In the middle of the morning, we heard cannon-fire very close by. But then it became quiet, and it was said that seventeen Japanese soldiers had come and had taken over the town. Later, it was said that 300 soldiers of the new empire had arrived. The Japanese have billeted themselves in and around homes. A group is at Lin Tang In's house. They are comporting themselves nicely. For a time, we had peace of mind. But this evening, refugees started arriving again. We are expecting an assault on the town by our old soldiers. It is said that all the gates to the streets, both large and small, stand open.

"Now we go to rest, in God's name.

"December 17, 1932

"The confrontation that we had known would happen ever since last summer happened yesterday on the 16th without a big battle. It is expected that the old [soldiers] will regroup and attack again.

"December 20, 1932

"What a change has occurred in our dear Siuyen. It has suddenly become a new world. While walking in the street, one can breathe freely. All the old soldiers have left without a trace. It is said, however, that there is fighting by Kuan-men-shan and other places. Now there is an airfield just northwest of town. Today the aircraft have been up several times, but people no longer come running out. One gets used to it. Still, the Chinese believe the town will be assaulted by the old soldiers.

"December 24, 1932

"I had hardly sent the letter with the good news before misfortune struck us. On the morning of the 22nd, we awoke to loud shooting. During the night, a number of our old soldiers had come in to the town. All day long, we heard cannon-fire and gunfire by the East Mountains.

"December 25, 1932

"The night between Dec. 22-23 was relatively quiet, but with constant shooting. Dec. 23 was almost identical to Dec. 22 but it seemed as if the old soldiers became braver. They built a bulwark on the main street and ventured out onto the main street. There was shooting the entire day and no one could go out. Our refugees were in distress with no food and no firewood. . . . The old soldiers remained strong around here and took refuge in the Japanese man's empty house. They could be heard throughout the night. The night between Dec. 23-24 we again heard steady shooting in the street. We all retired early and slept tolerably.

"Dec. 24th Christmas Eve was the worst of all. We had aircraft hovering over us. They dropped sixteen bombs. Since the old soldiers were gathered around here, most of the bombs were dropped right here. Our house shook, dust flew all around, iron fragments from the bombs were everywhere, and a window was shattered in the Bjergaardes' guest room. It is terrible when the bombs fall. . . . One fell on the house where Tung T'ui Han (a young 17 year old Christian girl) lives -- not in their [main] room, but in two rooms on the other side of their kitchen. The large beams were split. The chest against the wall was shattered. The windows were broken. There was a huge hole in the ground and so forth. Fortunately, the family had gone out to San Ch'i, a village south of Siuyen. Tung T'ui Han had lain on the floor and prayed. Her mother said, 'Pray my daughter, but it might wake up the ancestors!' We saw the bombs fall in our neighbor's yard, the big yard west of our house, but no one was injured. In the other yard, three were killed, also a dog and pig. It was a terrible Christmas Eve day.

"About 5:00 p.m., it was said that the old soldiers had left town. From the west gable-room in the new house we could follow the progress of events. Then we opened up the gate, and for the first time in days, we were brave enough to stick our heads out. Our neighbors also looked out. Then we felt like a big family again. Our nearest neighbor said, 'You shelter us. The women are always above us.' But we had hardly taken a deep breath, before it was said, 'Now a new group of old soldiers are entering through the south gate'. Everyone's courage sank, and the refugees streamed back in. We then had to say 'Yes,' to all the refugees, both men and women. 'Please, let us stay here, we will just sit on a bench, lay on the floor, or just stay outdoors.' And it was Christmas Eve!

"We Danes gathered for roast goose at the Bjergaardes'. We lighted a Christmas tree for the children. It was a big dry branch from an apricot tree. It was very lovely with the candles lighted. At last, we knelt together, and [Rev.] Bjergaarde reminded us that when the heart is the most uneasy, that is when the harp of joy is heard. All the refugees had a small feast over in the [meeting] hall. It lasted for several hours and the people sat quietly. Then we had to find room on a warm kang for the mothers with the youngest children. At that time, I thought of the words, 'And woe to those who are with child and to those who give suck in those days.' [Matt. 24:19.] There were so many babies that I could not count them all that night, Christmas night.

"At last I had a quiet moment with Psalm 3 from Bishop Olesen's devotional book, 'Life'. He says, 'David took the hand of God, and that gave him confidence. You must first see the Lord, and remember his power and trust him before you start thinking about difficulties. Look at him ten times for every time you look at the enemy. As your days, so shall your strength be [Deut. 33:25], and that will be your shield.'

"Never was it more threatening than it was on Christmas Eve. Leaflets were thrown down saying that the next day many airplanes would come and drop bombs over the entire town because Siuyen was in league with the bandits. On the outskirts of Siuyen, bandits were besieging the nearby area. It was said there were several thousand. When we sang, 'Secretly among us they walk,' about the angels in 'Glæde Jul' [Merry Christmas], ** we felt it as a reality.

"The first part of the night, we heard a lot of shooting. The later hours were quieter. Thus, we came through Christmas night. The next morning, we awoke to the sound of children's chatter down in the yard. When I looked out, the adults were standing in small groups.

"Suddenly about 9:00 a.m. there was loud knocking at the gate. 'Who is it,' we asked. 'Japanese.' We opened the gate . . . and a pleasant young man accompanied by four armed soldiers asked us in Chinese, 'How is everything here? Was anyone injured yesterday? You can now breathe more easily. The bandits have been routed.' Then he said, 'Merry Christmas [In English]. I too am a Christian.' The merchants were ordered to open their shops, and in the street we saw the flag of the new country everywhere.

"Over in the meeting hall, we held a Christmas service for a packed congregation. Many of our neighbors were there, and also several of the lukewarm Christians.

"December 26, 1932

"This morning, when we arrived at the church, we were the only ones there. At the time, there was also an airplane. That probably kept more people from coming out. But before the service was over, several more people arrived, and there was also Communion. Just at that time, the Japanese cavalry arrived and a little later the infantry came too. They are now billeted everywhere. The big room is packed. Ten are lodged in the Bjergaardes' two bedrooms. They have been doing their own cooking in the Bjergaardes' washhouse. They run back and forth between the neighbors and us. One stands guard with a sharp bayonet. It was a big relief in town when they came in. All the men ventured out in the streets and helped get the troops settled. They would not have dared do that when their own troops arrived. Then there was no one in the street. Old Liu, our houseman, has been very quiet and without fear during all that has taken place, accepting it all as a good Christian. I have not felt the least bit of fear . . . . however, I do not like to hear the sound of bombs dropping. I believe that sound will always be with me every time I hear an airplane. The Chinese say this is the worst of the wars that they have experienced."

Source:
Bøg-Madsen, Anna; "Siuyen - Uddrag af Privatbreve fra Frøken Bøg-Madsen”, Dansk Missionsblad; March 8, 1933; Vol. 100, Nr. 10, pp. 144-146. Translation by Betty Christensen.
All D.M.S. materials used with permission.

Image:
Japanese invading Mukden in 1931, from Wikimedia Commons. In the public domain.
----------------
*In an earlier post, we mistakenly stated that Manchukuo was based in Mukden. Although the Japanese took over Mukden first and initially operated from there, the puppet state of Manchukuo was based in Changchun, which was renamed Hsinking. The earlier post has been corrected.
**This is a reference to the lyrics of a Danish Christmas hymn by A.G. Risskov, "Glæde Jul".

Difficulties to Overcome (1931-1932)

On July 15, 1931, just a little more than two months before the Mukden incident, which over the next few years would transform Manchurian life and constrict the work of Anna Bøg and the other missionaries of the Danish Missionary Society, the missionary newspaper published the following announcement:

"The Board approves the resolution of the Mission Council on the construction of the station in Siuyen:

"There shall be built a women's station in Siuyen, which has hitherto been sorely needed, using the money raised by Miss Bøg Madsen for that purpose during her stay in America. Because the old buildings at the mission station are very worn, they will be replaced. Miss Bahnson has worked out drawings that were presented at the board meeting."

The matter proved not to be so simple, however. On August 11, 1931, architect Elise Bahnson wrote the following report on the current status of the building plans and the state of the work in Siuyen. It was published in the missionary newspaper a few weeks later:

"It is written, 'Pray and you shall receive.' Time and again we have experienced that blessing this year. There was a religious awakening last year and we are still blessed with the five small in-home prayer circles we started then. What we are now experiencing is surely a large harvest of fruit from our prayers. . . .The number of those who read regularly [at the clinic] at least once a week continues to grow and has now reached seventy.

"The work with the women is a cause of great delight. The work with the men, however, is nearly quiescent. The men have suffered greatly from the lack of a minister because after a religious awakening each individual soul is in need of special care.

"We cannot complain that we have not had help from the outside. But those who come from outside lack insight into the [local] situation and therefore cannot assist the individual or the evangelists. The evangelists cannot do this work by themselves and neither can the [Bible] women . . .

"As you know, we were hoping to get a Chinese minister in Siuyen, but it was an impossible undertaking, so now we are working hard to get a house ready for a missionary minister.

"The first of June we moved the school that had been located at the south end of the mission property. We now have a lovely new school, with light rooms and a big play yard. Where we were, the playground was not big enough for all the children.

"At the beginning of Chinese New Year, the school got a Chinese principal, Miss Kuo. She is a former pupil from Siuyen School, and she has great affection for the school. Even though she is only 26 years old, she takes up her work as one entrusted to her by the Lord. There are 100 girls and 20 boys enrolled in the school now, and since there are as yet no restrictions on religious instruction, the school has Morning Prayer and bible study at regular times. On Sunday morning, they gather at the school and walk together as a group to the church for Sunday School.

"We are very pleased that they, as well as we, feel that this new place was prepared by the Lord. And then we have the additional benefit that it is very near the parish hall and across from the home of the president of the parish council. He is very interested in the school and saw to it that the school was maintained at its current size.

"As I have said, we are working hard to get a place ready for a missionary minister. The old houses were mainly built of granite and clay, and have been demolished to make way for a structurally sound building.

"When I came here, I did not know that such a large construction project awaited me, but now I find myself immersed in my old occupation. Our bricklayer and carpenter are both members of the parish council. The bricklayer is also the brother of a Bible Woman and of our cook. They are both nice to deal with and our cook helps me shop for materials. Dr. Nielsen, who built Siuyen Hospital, knows all about construction, and is my good counselor.

"The old mission station is now divided into a men’s station and a women’s station. The entrance to the men’s station is from the old southern gate near the church hall that for many years was a school for boys, but perhaps now can be a meeting room once again. . . .

"After almost two years now without a missionary minister, there is much for the congregation to be taught. They have had to take care of the congregation’s business, most of which was left to the minister until his departure. Now they must take the responsibility themselves. They like making the decisions and . . . are sensitive to outside interference. It is certainly proper for them to learn to take on the responsibility. They must of course also learn from their mistakes.

"We look forward to the possibility of getting a minister here again soon. This is a large rural district that, through the hospital work, has been prepared over many years. The doors are open, and the work has barely begun, while the doors are open to both the men and the women.

"Mr. Hsü, who is married to one of our Bible Women, started in the spring to work as a bookseller for the British Bible Society. The Bibles he sells are mostly for the youth in the rural schools, where in recent years quite a few schools have been started. Every sizeable village now has its own school. Out in the country, it is the season for sowing and probably for many years yet will need a Philip.

". . . [W]e are enjoying a visit from Pastor Yen. It is so great to have a minister here, to give Bible lessons and Communion, but it is also hard to see them go."

The significance of the foregoing article by Elise Bahnson becomes clearer when viewed in the light of an April, 1932, announcement in the missionary newspaper, this time in its "From the Editor" section:

"For several years, the intention has been to construct a new building for the women missionaries. The Board allotted 3,000 yen therefor and Miss Bøg Madsen collected about U.S. $1,400 in America for the project. Some special gifts have also been received in Denmark.

"It was decided to rebuild the men's station first, however, and part of the funds were used. That has been completed and Rev. and Mrs. Bjergaarde are living there. Now, the funds are insufficient to rebuild the women's station, and because of the prevailing economic depression, the Board cannot grant the balance thereof.

"Materials, however, have been purchased, and the ground has been excavated, so everything will be wasted if the work cannot be accomplished before the rainy season.* The mission council has therefore provisionally granted 1,000 gold yen from the fund for the street chapel in Takushan and Miss Bøg Madsen and Miss Bahnson pledged some of their personal funds as a temporary loan. So, in this way, the work continues."

In March, 1932, Elise Bahnson wrote the following touching account, which was published in the same April, 1932 edition of the missionary newspaper:

"Perhaps there are friends who know that we started years ago to renovate the mission station in Siuyen, and that the old station with the school was separated into men's and women's areas. In the picture on page 242 you can see the new Bible Women's house and in the background the new entrance to the women's station.

"In the picture above you can see the end of the new gatehouse and the new entrance under construction. It was completed in autumn.

"On page 245 you can see a picture of the [Rev.] Bjergaarde family on the steps outside the dining room of the minister's home.

"Trusting in God's word in Matthew 6:33,** we have started work on the last of the buildings -- the women missionary's building. The site was excavated in the autumn, and all the materials are ready. God willing, in about 14 days we will start on the construction of the house. Difficulties are everywhere, but difficulties can be overcome."

Such was the zeal of Anna Bøg and Elise Bahnson to bring souls to Christ, that Anna Bøg not only raised the money during her furlough -- a time that is ordinarily devoted to leisure -- and Elise Bahnson not only labored tirelessly with her well-honed building skills, but the two women loaned what money they had saved from their small stipend to bring to completion the women's station that Anna Bøg had envisioned so many years earlier. And, almost certainly, Elise Bahnson laid many of the bricks herself.

Sources:
Bahnson, Elise; "Siuyen;" Dansk Missionsblad; Vol. 98, Nr. 36; September 9, 1931; pp. 576-579. Translated by Betty Christensen.
Bahnson, Elise; "Fra Missionærne i China - Siuyen," Dansk Missionsblad, Vol. 99, Nr. 17; April 27, 1932; pp. 246-247. Translated by Betty Christensen.
Busch, Rev.; Board Resolutions; Dansk Missionsblad; Vol. 98, Nr. 28; July 15, 1931; pp. 446-447.
"Fra Redaktionen," Dansk Missionsblad, Vol. 99, Nr. 17; April 27, 1932; p. 243.

Images:
1 - New Bible Women's House
2 - New gatehouse and gate under construction
3 - New minister's house
Photographs from Dansk Missionsblad; Vol. 99, Nr. 17; April 27, 1932; pp. 244-246.

All D.M.S. materials used with permission.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
*The rainy season in Manchuria is July, August, and September.
**"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things shall be yours as well." (Matt. 6:33, Revised Standard Version.)

Invited Everywhere (1932)

In 1931, the political tension in Manchuria described earlier culminated in the so-called "Manchurian" or "Mukden Incident”. What happened was this: After the Japanese assassinated Manchurian warlord Chang Tso-lin in 1928, his son, Chang Hsueh-liang, succeeded him. Chang Hsueh-liang refused to stop construction of a competing Chinese railway network. On September 18, 1931, a section of the Japanese South Manchuria Railway near Mukden was dynamited and Japan alleged that the Chinese had sabotaged the railroad. The Japanese army then invaded Manchuria, took control of Mukden, and began a Manchurian campaign. In 1932, the Japanese took Harbin. On February 18, 1932, the Japanese set up a puppet government based in Changchun, installed the last Qing emperor, Pu Yi, as the ruler, and renamed Manchuria "Manchukuo". Japan went on to occupy all of Manchuria until the end of World War II. Moreover, the Japanese used Manchuria as a base for Japanese aggression against all of China. In 1937, Japan attacked Peking, Shanghai, and Nanking. By 1938, the Japanese occupied the main Chinese ports.

Since the Japanese aggressors focused first on the major cities of Manchuria, it took some time before they extended their actual rule to the outlying regions. Here, we present an account by Anna Bøg of her work in early 1932. Although it was several months after the Mukden incident, the only hint of the political situation in her story is the mention that when she entered the valley in the remote mountain area where she and the Bible Women had gone at the invitation of a Mrs. P'ang, they encountered a regiment of "village soldiers". The use of the term "village soldiers" very likely means that the men were Chinese and not Japanese. There is no way of telling from Anna Bøg's article whether the soldiers were protecting the area from bandits or whether they intended to put up a resistance against the Japanese. It does seem, however, that the Japanese had not yet taken de facto control of the area.

Here is Anna Bøg's description of her missionary journey to the home of Mrs. P'ang and the missionary work with women in the area surrounding Siuyen in early 1932:

"It is a great time to be a missionary. Jesus is moving here and glorifying his Name. It is as if all the doors are open, both here in town and out in the countryside. It is a rich and blessed time of growth for God's Kingdom. . .

"One of the first days of the Chinese New Year, a young man arrived from Lo-ch'üan-kou with greetings from his old grandmother: 'Aren't you coming this month, when the women have plenty of time?' We accepted the invitation. Two young Bible Women and I stayed a week in Mrs. P'ang’s home. She is 63 years old and was baptized at Christmas time in 1930. She is a widow, and lives in the midst of her big family, 6 sons with wives, 15 grandsons, and 5 granddaughters. They own the biggest farm in the village. It is beautifully situated in a valley with mountains in the background, in front of a large river, and the rice fields are fertile. This was our third visit.

"Right at the entrance to the valley, we met a regiment of village soldiers, with guns on their shoulders. They were going to stay in the temple yard at the start of the valley. We rode past one little hyggelige village after another. The families in these villages are almost all related to Mrs. P'ang. By nightfall, we reached Mrs. P'ang's home, the farthest into the valley. When the children sighted the cart, they came running out to greet us, and all the young women came out bearing their babies in their arms. The old lady was happy to see us and said, 'I have so longed for you; I am all alone as a Christian here.' 'Yes,' we answered, 'That is the reason we are here; we have come to help you.' 'You shall stay here in my room. All that there is my room is yours while you are here,' she said. She was so lively.

"By evening prayer we had two rooms full of people. We felt the Lord's presence during all our meetings, which was not so strange, since at home in Siuyen there were people praying daily for these meetings. When the children slept, or work was finished, they came and asked for help. Many of the young men could already read, but the young women progressed during this visit.

"At the time of our first visit last spring, the village women did not dare take us into their homes. This time they came out and spoke to us, and invited us in. Some came to the meetings at Mrs. P'ang's home and began to learn to read. God's word has free rein these days.

"When we visited last autumn two [male] evangelists accompanied us. The sons arranged meetings in the temple and school. They are well disposed toward Christianity. Their mother is solid in her relationship with God and all the pagan idols have been removed from the home.

"In a village a 2 - 1/2 hour walk from there lives a young Christian woman who definitely stands out from her surroundings. In her home too, we gathered many people to meetings. They were so happy when they saw us coming. In a shop in the mountains where we bought cakes, there came so many women that we held a meeting in the shop. There we were again invited by a neighborhood woman to visit her.

"Old Mrs. P'ang is well known in this vicinity. Without even realizing it, she is a living witness of Christian virtue. Before [Chinese] New Year, she was ill. Then she prayed, 'Dear Jesus, Make me well by New Year's Eve. Otherwise, who will lead my children?' And she became well.

"While all the neighbors worshiped ancestors, sang and played music the entire evening, at the turn of the year the old mother knelt down with all her sons and the whole family and led them in a prayer of thanksgiving. Every evening the old woman observes evening prayer in her home.

"While we were there, we received a letter from old Mrs. Pai, who lives 70 li [Chinese mile] north of Siuyen. She wrote, 'Aren't you coming soon? I have two rooms ready for you.'

"On the way home from Lo-ch'üan-kou we stopped to eat our packed lunch in a [private] home. Immediately, the kang was filled with persons large and small, and we talked with them a full hour. An old woman said, 'Come again,' and a young woman said, 'Can't a Bible Woman come and stay with us a few days?'

"Out in Hsing-lung-kou, a mile north of Siuyen, to which we cycle once a week, there are a few Christians and some that can read. It takes a long time for those who must first learn to read, but there are more young people who are able to read.

"Out in Sao-tzu-ho, where the Christians last year even opened an out-station and built a small House of God, there are many women who are ready to be baptized. There is plenty of work, and many centers that could be opened, if we had the right workers.

"Here in the town of Siuyen, besides school children, there are more than 60 women that are being prepared for baptism. To help with the work, we have one older and three younger Bible women, including a young blind girl from the home for the blind in Mukden [who will remain here]. The other two will return in September to the Bible Women’s school to complete their studies.

"All about there is growth and progress in our work. It is Jesus who does the work, and with His blessing upon the funds from the mother church we go confidently forward in faith, even though the enemy of the soul creates difficulties that in our eyes can sometimes look insurmountable. . . ."

Source:
Bøg Madsen, Anna; "Kommer I Ikke Snart", Dansk Missionsblad, Vol. 99, Nr. 17; April 27, 1932; pp. 243-246. Translation by Betty Christensen.

Image:
Photograph of women baptized in Siuyen, Christmas 1931, from"Kommer I Ikke Snart", Dansk Missionsblad, Vol. 99, Nr. 17, April 27, 1932, p. 245.

All D.M.S. materials used with permission.