Pastor Hsi of North China Rone of China'
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\STOR5jriTiEhl«jl.l8.l!lH1lHBtlilfiulft.rSRj^lT^^.i!l^HSl,-, l*,,-r„r''Lli"- T<%','M\- ONE CHINA'S ^ : CHRISTIANS BV3H-0.'/ Jlt^aca, iNeta Inrtt CHARLES WILLIAM WASON COLLECTION CHINA AND THE CHINESE THE GIFT OF CHARLES WILLIAM WASON CLASS OF 1876 1918 Cornell University Library BV 3427.H86T241 Pastor Hsi of North China rone of China' 3 1924 023 085 875 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924023085875 - - It f . ..^ (i/U^^^^^-^^^-^- "H PASTOR HSI (PRONOUNCED RATHER LIKE 'SHEE') ASTOR HSI p (OF NORTH CHINA) QNE OF CHINA'S CHRISTIANS WITH PORTRAIT, ILLUSTRA- TIONS, AND COLOURED MAP. By Mrs. HOWARD TAYLOR {nit Geraldine Guinnbss) AUTHOR OF IN THE FAR EAST, THE STORY OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION, ONE OF CHlNA^S SCHOLARS LONDON: MORGAN & SCOTT II PATERNOSTER BUILDINGS, B.C. CHINA INLAND MISSION, NEWINGTON GREEN, N. MCMIII -^ CH' i; N l" I I U KM \Mi H ^.: I "i Y I iyu/\uY Printed ^y R. & R. Clark, Limited, Edinburgh. TO OUR BELOVED FATHER THE REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR WHOSE LIFE OF MISSIONARY DEVOTION IS HIS children's precious heritage AS HIS LOVE AND PRAYERS HAVE EVER BEEN THEIR BENEDICTION JESUS ' name shall endure for ever His ; His name shall be continued as long as the sun : And men shall be blessed in Him ; All nations shall call Him blessed. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, Who only doeth wondrous things : And blessed be His glorious name for ever : And let the whole earth be filled with His glory ; Amen and Amen." PREFACE In the various places in which this book has grown to completion, I have been repeatedly asked how it has been possible to collect so much material about the life of a Chinaman who never left his own country. The question brings up many memories : straightway one lives again some of the most sacred of life's experiences ; and the heart warms at the recollection of all that has contributed to the work now finished. It began on our wedding journey ; when far in the heart of China we visited Pastor Hsi's own home, and spent about two weeks in his company. Both he and Mrs. Hsi travelled with us from place to place for meetings, at which numbers of Christians gathered ; and we had the opportunity of watching their lives under all sorts of circumstances. That was ten years ago ; but still one feels unchanged the love and reverence their friendship inspired. In many an hour of quiet talk and prayer, we learned enough of their life-story to make us desire to know vii l> viii Pastor Hsi more. And at our earnest request, Pastor Hsi subsequently wrote a brief autobiography, upon which this volume, and One of Chinds Scholars, are based. Shortly afterwards he was taken to be with the Lord ; and that Chinese manuscript, with my own notes made in conversation with him, became a trust that I longed to put to the best account. From various friends who had known him, much additional information was gleaned ; especially from Mr. Steven- son and Mr. Hoste, Directors of the China Inland Mission, with which Pastor Hsi was connected. Mr. Hoste, who had known Pastor Hsi intimately and laboured with him for ten years, was kind enough to spend several days in answering questions, and supplementing the information I already possessed. By the skilful pen of a fellow-missionary, this long interview was recorded verbatim, supplying an addi- tional manuscript from which to work. Mr. Hoste also put at my disposal a number of incidents he had himself recorded from time to time. But it was easy, comparatively, to collect the materials. To compile from them a clear and con- nected narrative, that should give a true impression of the story, has been difficult. With many inter- ruptions, in the midst of almost constant travelling and meetings, this writing has been done. No one Preface ix can be more conscious of its defects than the author, who has so longed to make it more worthy, but commits it now to the blessing of Him by whose enabling alone it has been accomplished. It has been my earnest desire, and that of my cousin Mr. Marshall Broomhall, who has edited both these volumes, to secure thorough accuracy in pre- senting the facts recorded. If in any degree we have failed, the fault is mine. For though Mr Broomhall followed Mr. Hoste as missionary in charge of the Hung-tung district, and was therefore intimately acquainted with the work, it was after the death of Pastor Hsi, whom he never met. This story, in its earlier stages, had the benefit of Mr. Hoste's personal revision. We much regret that it has not been possible to submit it to him in its present form. Were I to attempt to recount the long list of kindnesses, from many friends in many lands, that have made the task of writing this book one of the richest and most grateful I have ever known, the mere record would need a volume. They are treasured in thankful memory ; and carry one often in heart to well -loved scenes under the Southern Cross, and by the wave-washed shores of our own little island, as well as amid the loveliest solitudes X Pastor Hsi of New England, the cultured life of American cities, and the silent splendour of Swiss mountains. He only knows it all, from love to Whom these gracious deeds were done : and He will not forget even a cup of cold water given in His name. M. GERALDINE TAYLOR. CHEVAL.LEYRES, VEVEY, November 1903. NOTE The illustrations are from photographs kindly lent by several friends. Those facing pages 27^, 116, 162, 256, 300, by Mr. Montagu Beauchamp. Those facing page 199^, ^, by Mr. 27I, A. Orr-Ewing. Those facing page 8, by Mr. R. Powell. The one facing page 391, by Dr. E. H. Edwards. That facing page 105, by Mr. A. H. Faers. Those facing pages 84, 185, I99\ 217, 381, by Marshall Broomhall. CONTENTS CHA I. xu Pastor Hsi PAGE 21. The Refuges as Mission Stations 308 22. The Middle Eden 23. Ready to Depart . 349 24. Higher Service 385 An Open Letter . 394 MAP Map of North Central China (at end of volume) ILLUSTRATIONS Portrait of Pastor Hsi xiv Pastor Hsi INTRODUCTION Among the most remarkable results of the Boxer uprising in China during 1 900, has been the changed attitude that now prevails on the part of all classes toward missionary work in many parts of the country. The sullen contempt and hostility of former years have been largely replaced by willing- ness and even desire to hear and understand what the foreign teachers have to say. Reports are received from not a few districts of earnest invita- tions on the part of the gentry of neighbouring cities for some one to come and instruct them in the Western faith, premises for the carrying on of worship being freely offered for use. Without attempting an analysis of the various causes to which this change is due, it is sufficient to say here, that the Chinese undoubtedly realise as never before that Western nations possess a power and civilisation in some respects superior to their own ; and that if further national disaster is to be averted, their old conservative attitude must be abandoned. Hence a condition of open-mindedness, hitherto unprecedented, prevails throughout the country, which, whatever its underlying motives, furnishes a unique opportunity for the preaching of xvi Pastor Hsi the Gospel. Experience shows that while many, on discovering the true nature of Christianity, draw back, unprepared to follow its teachings, not a few become really interested, and are open to further spiritual impressions. The prospect, therefore, of a wide and rapid spread of Christian faith in many parts of China seems not unlikely of realisation. The extent to which this movement will be marked by spiritual purity and depth, must largely depend upon the character of the Chinese Christians who lead it, as workers in various ways among their fellow-countrymen. Given men of real piety, and strong personal consecration to Christ, a glorious harvest of souls will be the result. And herein lies the chief interest of the following narrative : for Mr. Hsi, by virtue of his talents and education, as well as of his Christian character, was a striking type of the class just referred to. As time goes on, China will certainly produce men whose zeal and gifts will fit them to take a leading part in the evangelisation of their own countrymen, and the building up of the native church. A story therefore such as this will repay the thoughtful study of all interested in the development of the Kingdom of God in that country. Should it not also awaken in those who read it a solemn searching of heart before God as to how far their own aims and practice in life can compare with the unremitting toil and unre- served devotion recorded in these pages, in the case of one whose advantages were far less than their own ? The subject of this biography possessed in more than ordinary measure the qualities that fit men for Introduction xvii leadership ; combining that comprehensiveness of mind and foresight which enable men to frame measures on a large scale, with the strength of will, practical resourcefulness, and capacity for the management of others, essential in carrying such projects to com- pletion.