China ChristianMissionNews

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation." (Mark 16:15)
EUGENE, OREGON, JANUARY, 1949
From Shanghai
To Kweiyang
By Gladys H. Sjodin
My heart was very full of joy and fear and expectation on the
day that I arrived in Kweiyang, May 12, 1948. I had left Shanghai
twelve days before with an aching heart for the friends there that I
must leave behind. But the time was fulfilled, and God was bring
ing me to the field of His choice.
It was a dull, cloudy day when I left Shanghai. We had risen in
the early hours of the morning to take the long ride to the airport
and have time for the checking of the baggage, tickets, and pass
port. Two weeks earlier my baggageabout 21/^ tons of books,
medicines, household supplies, and dispensary equipmenthad
preceded me by boat. I had expected also to go by boat, but had
been delayed in Shanghai by the request of Mr. Chien Ting Kwan
to perform his marriage service for him. This man is the brother
of the young pilot who requested us to come to China. Through
the marvelous power of the Taard, he-had been.won .to-Chsc-and
was now sending me on to his family in Kweiyang to open our
permanent mission station.
Plane Trip Rough
I was accompanied
work in Shanghai.
Mojor Chien, Ting-Hwa. Mrs. Gladys Sjodin, and Mrs. Chien.
to the airfield by two other Christians, fruit of my
They helped me with the procedures at the airport,
and one young man, an air force officer, was per
mitted to go to the plane with me, contrary to the
usual regulations, to help me with the luggage and
Lee Hwa. Then 1 was alone with only my little
Chinese daughter to keep me company. The plane
was very comfortable; the trim little stewardess
spoke both Chinese and English fluently. However,
the weather was not very good for flying. The air
was very rough and Lee Hwa vomited several times.
1 had many apprehensions, for here 1 was going
into a new and unknown worldjust one American
woman and a little Chinese child.
We came out of the clouds just before we reached
our destination, and looked down upon the strange
patterns of the rice paddies. 1 loved the country
then and there. Only after we had landed did I
learn that the weather had been very treacherous
that day, and that many planes had had to turn
back. Indeed, God was with us.
At the airfield, the Chinese Air Force jeep was
waiting for us, and my baggage was carried through
wonder of wonderswithout customs inspection.
Only those who have dealt with the Chinese cus
toms can really appreciate this. In the recreation
room I rested and had tea. Then we went winding
over the mountain roads for thirty miles into the
city of Chungking. Here I was delivered to Major
Chien, the eldest brother of the Chien family. I
remained in this homefor ten days, while preparing
to come to Kweiyang by truck.
Major Chien and his wife were very gracious to
me. My Chinese was somewhat limited, but we got
(Continued on page 4)
Kweiyang Church
Has 25 Members
While the war situation has delayed progre.ss of
the China Christian Mission church in Shanghai,
the church in Kweiyang, under the leadership of
Gladys Sjodin, has been making rapid gains and
now has 25 resident and 4 non-resident members.
This church recently elected their first deacons
Mr. Wang Hwa Chang and Mr. Tsang Hsi Ling.
As yet the Kweiyang church has no Sunday evening
service, but it is hoped to begin one in the near
future. Monday and Thursday nights are devoted
to Bible classes for persons interested in beginning
to study the Bible.
On Saturday evenings the Kweiyang church has
a fellowship hour with Bible study and prayer.
The purpose of these meetings is to promote a
closer feeling of fellowship between the Christians,
most of whom are young people. It also helps them
to grow in their Christian life and gives them an
opportunity to discuss problems of mutual interest
to all Christians. Some time is spent in wholesome
recreation, and some time devoted to singing or
listening to good music. The various phases of the
activities are under the direction of the young peo
ple, thus training them to accept responsibility and
to growin Christianleadership.
Chinese War Situation
Delays Shanghai Work
By Roliand Sjodin
Contrary to expectations, I shall not be able to
return to Shanghai for the present. 1 am returning
to Kweiyang because of the threatening war situa
tion and food shortage in Shanghai. Ting Kwan
flew here to meet me (in Chunking) and will stay
in Kweiyang for the present.
The recent Communist advance to within a short
distance of Nanking h.is caused a serious crisis in
the whole eastern central area in which Nanking
and Shanghai are located. A grave shortage of food
is causing acute suffering in Shanghai already, and
prices are incredibly high, with the continuing infla
tion adding to the confusion.
Many of the families of government officials and
business men are leaving Shanghai and Nanking for
West China. Some schools have closed, including
the new Tu Hsing Middle School, on the grounds
of which we had just began holding Sunday church
services. Mr. Chien Ting Kwan recently accepted
temporarily the position of head of the school's
agricultural department and manager of the farm.
After I left for Kweiyang he continued the church
services until the closing of the school.
(Continued on page 2)
Page 2
CHINA CHRISTIAN MISSION NEWS January, 19^9
CHINA CHRISTIAN MISSION NEWS
PRINTED AT EUGENE, OREGON
By Henry Printing Company
Missionaries:
Mr. and Mrs. Rolland L. Sjodin
58 San Tsai Road
Kweiyang, Kweichow, China
Recruits:
Mr. and Mrs. Dexter Williams
269 North Cove Street
East Orange, New Jersey
(Students at Eastern Christian Institute)
Forwarding Agent:
Mrs. Neilan Dodson
1512 Columbia Street
Eugene, Oregon
^e(e<i
The Most Difficult Problem
of the Chinese Christian
By Mr. Wang Hwa Chang, Deacon
I am very glad to write here about the most
difficult problem of the Chinese Christian, which is
the ancestor worship.
China is a land of religious freedom, so that all
religions have had opportunity to take root here.
Buddhism came to China very early and brought
the worship of idols which is still present in China
today.
None of the students and many of the other
people do not go to the temple to" worshtp~"the
idols, but they still keep the old Chinese custom
of many thousands of years to respect the parents
and the relatives, both living and dead. In regard
to the dead persons, there is a certain festival in
China on the 7th month and 15th day of the Chi
nese calendar (about August by the Western calen
dar). On this day every home is set apart for the
worship of the ancestors. This worship includes
the burning of incense and offering of food on the
altar before the pictures of the ancestors, and kow
towing before the picture or the tomb of the de
ceased. There is also burnt a special kind of paper
which is believed will become money in the spirit
world. Even the very poor people like the beggars
will use all that they have to buy the paper to burn.
If anyone does not take part in the ceremonies,
the other Chinese feel that he is a very bad and
unfaithful son. But this is the same as the worship
of.idols and our Lord does not want us to do this.
So on that day many Christians come to the church
to hide themselves from rheir family. But this is
really a hard problem, for when they return home
their parents will punish them, or sometimes drive
them away. Many persons believe in Christ, but
because they are the oldest son in a family they
cannot be Christians, since the oldest son has the
main responsibility of carrying on the ancestor
worship.
Now our church in Kweiyang has only a few
Christians, so it is very easy to cafe for them and
help them over the period of this festival, but as
the church grows this problem will become more
difficult. And we feel that some may lose their
faithfulness to the Lord because they are afraid of
their family. So the worship of tlie ancestors is a
very difficult problem to every Chinese Christian,
and we hope that someone can give us a good idea
to help us in solving this problem. We request
your prayers for the Christians in China as they
meet this difficulty.
Wang Hwa Chang
(Bible college student, translator, and very
able young man. He is writing the guest ed>
itoiial for this issue of the bulletin, concern
ing ancestor worship.)
Writer of Guest Editorial
Is FuII-Time Bible Student
Mr. Wang Hwa Chang, the author of the editor
ial for this issue of the News, is enrolled as a
full-time student in the Kweiyang Bible Institute.
Previous to this time, he was a student in the
Kweichow National College. Mr. Wang is a
cousin of Chien Ting Wu, and the first person to
be baptized in the Kweiyang church. He takes a
very active part in the activities of church and
mission. Besides serving as translator and inter
preter, he helps in the teaching and instruction of
new converts. He was very recently ordained a dea
con in the church. Quite often he delivers the
gospel message in the Sunday morning worship
service, and constantly "goes everywhere preaching
the word," witnessing to his friends and relatives
about Christ. He hopes to give his life to the
Christian ministry'.
At the writing of these lines, Mr. Wang is suffer
ing from an attack of paratyphoid fever, and the
editorial has been written from his sickbed. We
believe he is well on his way to recovery. Mrs.
Sjodin has been caring for him while Mr. Sjodin,
during his recent visit here, took over many of the
activities in the Bible Institute and elsewhere. Mr.
Wang was to have been married on November 11,
but because of his illness his wedding was post
poned for a short time.
Mr. Wang is well qualified to write this article
concerning the problem of the Christians in China,
for he meets this problem first hand with the
Christians in our own local congregation. He is
especially talented in 'shepherding tlie fiock,' and
deals with many of the problems of the Christians.
The power of the Holy Spirit is truly upon him.
Money Exchange
One Big Headache
In spite of Coiiiniunists, Ciiinese customs, and
many other problems that the missionary has to
face, the most difficult to me is the exchange of
money. The high cost of living, and low official
rate of exchange, made it necessary after much pro
testing to use the black market. The black market
rate increased to many times that of the legal rate,
but prices of goods we must buy are all based on
the black market rate.
After coming to Kweiyang, I found that I could
give personal checks for most of the money I
needed. Then came the new currency, which we all
welcoined, for we believed it would stop the infla
tion and we could settle down to a normal life in
this particular. Tlie buying power of the U. S.
dollar immediately following the new money was
very high. However, it was so difficult to change
American checks under the new S5'stem that I found
it necessary to borrow money while waiting for the
transfer of moneyfrom the bank in Shanghai to thc
bank in Kweiyang. The first time took one month,
and the rate of interest on money here is 1% per
day. The S75.00 which I borrowed in one month
had more than $20.00 interest.
I decided to have sufficient money on hand so
that it would not happen like that again. I pre
pared an adequate amount of money to use for
some time then came the wildfire inflation of
prices, increasing ten times in about a month. Mr.
Sjodin came to kweiyang, paying SI50.00 Chinese
money for his airplane ticket to Chungking. Soon
thereafter the price leaped to $985.00. Then the
legal exchange rate was raised from $-1.00 per U. S.
dollar to $20.00, Now the cost of the airplane
ticket would be $3,130.00. The black market rate
-ianbwfiliiuftimva thm of the legalmfg."
So from day to day one docs not know what to
do. Those persons under auspices of mission boards
have exactly the same problem, or perhaps even
more so, for it takes longer for them to receive
funds through their channels. My own life is as
simple as possible. My entire diet consists of Chi
nese food, except occasionally for the addition of
breadwhich many Chinese themselves eat. I went
last week to buy some items for my translator, who
is ill. He has paratyphoid fever and his diet is very
limited, so it is very hard to give him the necessary
calories. I wished to buy a pound of Australian
canned butter. The price was $15.00 U. S. a pound.
I didn't buy it. Much of the time that we could use
in winning <ouls is spent in solving financial prob
lems, but there is no solutionor, as the Chinese
say, 'mei yo ban fa.'

Shanghai Work Delayed

(Continued from page 1}
My own ministry in Shanghai must necessarily
come to an end when the time comes that the work
in Kweiyang will require my presence. The estab
lishment of the Kweiyang Bible Institute, already
an accomplished fact, will call for the presence of
workers in the near future.
The expenses of the church and Bible Institute
in Kweiyang, as well as the purchase of land and
the erection of needed buildings, must take the
priority in the use of our mission fund, However,
Shanghai cannot be long neglected. We confidently
expect to reach a period of growth soon where the
members will desire their own building and make
plans and contributions to this end. The successful
completion of such a project can probably be made
possible only by the liberality of the churches of
the United States.
For the present Mr. Chien Ting Kwan and my
self have decided to join our efforts with those of
Mrs. Sjodinto build up the work in Kweiyang.
January, 1949 CHINA CHRISTIAN MISSION NEWS Page 3
CHRISTIAN SERVICE CAMP HELD
By Gladys H. Sjodin
S
How does one start to find the location for a Christian Service Camp? The question had
never been put to me in America, but just a few weeks after arriving in Kweiyang, this ques
tion confronted me. It seemed to me that we urgently needed a Christian Service Camp for
some of the young people who had expressed interest in the Gospel. The family of our
founder, Chien, Ting-Wu, had a home in a little village about ten miles from Kweiyang,
which they had used as a bombing refuge during the war. However, the road to this village
was rough, and it was often the scene of robberies. After a crip to this village through a
constant and drenching rain we decided to lookelsewhere,
Class period at Christian Service Camp.
God saw our need, and a gracious friend loaned
us a house in the beautiful resort of Hwa Chi, near
the Kweichow University. This place was about the
same distance from the city, but it would not be
necessary to walk, and there was no problem of
robbers or getting supplies.
We left on August 5 by truck, Each camper had
a bedding roll, chopsticks, bowl, and personal items.
The family items including cooking utensils, water
pails, candles, etc. At tlie village of Hwa Chi wc
transferred all of our baggage from the truck to
horsecart and coolies' backs for the remainder t)f
the journey. Arriving at the house, every camper
pitched in and helped in preparing the house for
occupation. The spirit of the young people in this
matter was exceptionally good, as most of them do
not do the work like this at home, for nearly every
home has a servant. Some of the workers of the
little church in the neighborhood commended us
for doing our own work, and said that this spirit
would leave a lasting impression upon the non-
Christian inhabitants of the village.
While mops and brooms were busy on the upper
floor, two boys were rebuilding the clay stove on
the ground floor. Two persons were dispatched to
buy rice, another to buy coal, and still another to
buy grass mats for the floor.
The schedule of the camp differed very little
from that of a camp in the United States. The
bugle called the students to waken at 6:00. Follow
ing a quick dash to the brook for the morning face-
washing and teeth brushing, we had Morning
Watch. Then followed a class, breakfast and three
more classes. The subjects taught were New Testa
ment Church, Old Testament Characters, Church
History, and Christ from the Prophets. The only
teacher was the missionary assisted by a translator.
Swimming in the beautiful river near our house
was one of the main recreations, though once we
had a treasure hunt, a boating party and a moon
light hike in the park. The evening included an
hour for singing, games or group discussion, and
prayer service. On Sunday we had communion
service and two of the campers brought messages.
Most of the young people at the camp were
Christians. They had during the two months pre
viously accepted Christ. The camp period of ten
clays showed a marvelous improvement in their
knowledge of the Bible and their prayer life, The
one young person wlio was not a Christian accepted
Christ and was baptized during the camp,
We spent ten days in camp, sleeping on the floor,
for we had no beds, sitting on the floor for ckisses
and meals, for we had no tables no chairs. Yet,
every camper was reluctant to leave to return home.'
The return journey was made by horsecart. We
hired live of them, and drove single file down t'-e
road. The first cart was filled with cooking utensils,
and baggage, and two very ingenious young men
who fastened the Christian flag on the top of the
cart, the second cart had the bugle, and third
several lusty voices. Many persons turned to look
as we passed through the villages, the flag blowing
in the breeze, the bugle sounding, and the hymns
sounding, We hope later to use these same things
in preaching in the outlying villages.
Among the high school girls that attended was
Tsang Cliiu Yang, who writes: "Our summer
camp began the 5th of August. Everyone who went
to the camp had great wishes. In Hwa Chi we
divided the work and co-operated in everything.
We even prepared the food for ourselves. The rest
Bible Institute
Begins New Work
The Kweiyang Bible Institute opened on Septem
ber 6 with four full-time and ten part-time students.
Three of the students have been granted scholar
ships from the Chien Ting Wu Memorial Fund to
the amount of $5.00 per month. These students in
return give 18 hours of work a week to the various
phases of mission activities.
The courses offered this year are Bible Book by
Book, Evangelism, Life of Christ, Aas, Planning
Worship Services, Choir, and Speech. The classes
are taught by Mrs. Sjodin, except that the Speech
class is taught by Mr. Wang Ya Gung and the
Choir is directed by Mrs. Mei Fang Ming. These
two persons are not Christians, but it is necessary
to find others to teach the courses that Mrs. Sjodin
is unable to teach. The following quarter Mrs. Wo,
a member of the Methodist church, will teach a
brief course in Child Psychology and the Teaching
of Children. This class will include flanneigraph,
story telling, etc.
All of the Bible classes are under the direction of
Mrs. Sjodin, and she will have the assistance of Mr.
Sjodin in these classes, as well as in Homiletics,
Greek, and English, when he arrives in Kweiyang.
Most of the part-time students are in Middle School,
but they are interested in some study of the Bible
on a college basis. We are trying to arrange the
first year cnursc for those who can attend tjnly this
one year, so that they may have the most important
subjects to help them in working among their
feliowmen. Please pray for the work of the Bible
Institute as it progresses.
Baptism in river.
of the time was spent in study, play, singing, and
prayer. At night all of us sang with happy hearts
to glorify God for giving us so much happiness and
health."
Page 4
CHINA CHRISTIAN MISSION NEWS
January, 1949
SiJbliL SiudsmL at TyiiAMmL
(jJaRsll. ^ Jiwsdipamf
By Wang Hwa Chang
Kweiyang is a small city located in a circle of mountains in the province of Kweichow in
southwest China. The population is more than 300,000, and most of the people are very
poor. Thereareno large farms or factories in the area. Most of the people earn their living
from gardening or keeping small businesses. The farmers are very poor, barely earning
enough to keep fed and slightly covered. Near the city of Kweiyang are many Miao tribes-
people, who come into the city to sell wild fruit or flowers from the mountains, and to buy
their meager supplies of salt.
Kweiyan/^ is far in the interior of China and
Western influence and culture are very slow to
permeate this area. There is not yet a railroad to
Kweiyang, nor is there any river transportation.
Most of the commerce is carried on by the truck-
lines to Kunming and Chungking. Previously the
foreigners were very few in Kweiyang, but now
many missionaries are coming to locate here because
of the war in the areas of northern China.
Tobacco is one of the maincrops of the province;
it is called American tobacco, for the seeds have
come from the United States. The ones who grow
the tobacco are usually rich men. The climate is
very wet and rainy, not too hot in summer nor too
cold in winter. All of the people are concerned
with makingmoney, and there is little loveamongst
.them. They need the Gospel so that they may learn
to love God, and their fellowmen as well.
Even though the selling or using of opium is
illegal and may be punished by death, still there are
many persons who take part in this business for the
loveof money, and manypersonswho use the drug.
But there is an answer to the poverty, the sin, and
the distress of Kweiyang, and that answer is the
Gospel of Christ. Alreadythe light has been glow
ing in a few dark places, and will continue to
glow on and on, "for the darkness apprehendeth it
not."
Children's Bible Class
Draws Attendance of 80
With a Wednesday evening Bible class atten
dance liaving reached a high point of 80 children
we have found the home that the Chien family has
given us for mission use is being outgrown. So re
cently we rented a house nearby for SlOO per year,
plus some incidental fees. This house has about 12
rooms large and smalland three gardens or
courtyards. We purchased tables and chairs for the
Sunday School, although the 40 chairs we bought
were insufiicient for the children who attended the
first Sunday. Two classes were taught. The second
Sunday (the one preceding this writing), there
were about 60 children present, divided into three
classes. Besides this we have the Wednesday eve
ning Bible class which has never been below 40 in
attendance.
These classes are taught by the students of the
Bible College as a laboratory project. The Sunday
classes are taught by the members of the church
who are enrolled in one or more courses in the Bible
Institute. We hope soon to open a class to teach
illiterate persons to read the Bible.
From Shanghai to Kweiyang
(Continued from page 1)
along all right. Sometimes Major Chien called an
interpreter to help in the conversation. I met Lt.
Gen. Yen, the director of all of the Chinese Air
Forces in this area. He was very nice to me, and
interested in our plans for work in Kweiyang, as he
is also a native of this place. He gave me a letter
of introduction to the Governor of Kweiyang Prov
ince, and a permit to receive my baggage without
customs inspection at Chungking or anywhere along
the road. These courtesies helped us very much on
our journey.
Major Chien had a month's furlough due, and he
had planned to spend the time in Peiping, Shanghai
and Nanking, visiting the various playgrounds,of
those places. However, when I arrived in Chung
king, he decided to accompany me to Kweiyang,
and just nine days later we started, I rode with
Lee Hwa in the truck in which the goods were
being transported. This was an Army Air Force
truck, and there was no fee except the gasoline, for
the truck was making the trip, and they were de
lighted to have someone to pay the expense. Many
persons rode on the truck sitting on top of the
boxes. The Chien family went by jeep, going ahead
to find places to eat and sleep.
After all of the stories I had heard about Chinese
hotels. I was very surprised, for every place in
which we stopped seemed to be very clean. How
ever, Major chien was very cautious to spray well
with DDT. As I figured the distance, it is about
250 miles from. Chungking to Kweiyang. It took
2'/2 days of travel. The road winds treacherously
around the mountains, and we had to stop quite
often for tire or other trouble, as automobiles and
repair parts are expensive and scarce in this part of
China.
We arrived at Kweiyang at dusk on the third
day. I shall never forget the first evening meal in
the new home. Many of the relatives had gathered
together to greet the newcomers. Most of the then
strange faces are now those of familiar friends. At
least five of the persons who sat at the table that
day are now Christians, and the influence of Christ
has come into their lives with power. In the six
months that have passed since that day, twenty-
seven persons have accepted Christ and been bap
tized. Truly the fields here are white unto the
harvest. Our need is for workers to help us carry
on the many phases of the work. Meanwhile the
Chinese Christians are growing rapidly in the faith.
The Chien family has given us their home for
the use of the Mission. We shall have complete
use of the house as soon as their new home is fin-
Lee Hwa and Gladys Sjodin.
Baby Now 2 Years Old
We wish to thank the many of you for your
interest and gifts to I.cc Hwa. She is almost com
pletely recovered from her illness. She can walk
and speak many words in Chinese now, and is very
fat and happy. She celebrated her second birthday
on September 21 with a birthday cake and party.
She sends her greetings to you all.
The picture of Lee Hwa and I was taken on the
anniversary of our first year in China, and on Lee
Hwa's second birthday.

Need for Social Service

Described by Missionary
There are two lines of social service work in
Kweiyang with especial interest to us. One is the
need for a Christian Orphan's home, and another is
a Home for the Blind. There are many children
begging on the street. Many babies are without suf
ficient food and care. The blindand there are
many of themgo crying on the street clad in a
few rags. There is no provision made by the gov
ernment or other agencies to care for them, such as
in our own country.
We can certainly see the mercy of Christ in heal
ing the blind, and we hope that later something
may be done in this work here for those who can
no longer sec. We are looking forward eagerly to
the time when we may be able to extend the Chris
tian witness to the power of Christ into these fields.
ished. We have already furnished an attractive
chapel with a seating capacity of about 70 persons
in this place, and are renting another house where
the Bible Institute cla.sses and the Sunday School
services are held.
Please pray that God will bless us and the Chi
nese Christians as we labor in this field of service.
January, 1949 CHINA CHRISTIAN MISSION NEWS
Page 5
Plans Under Way to Build
New Home for Mission
We are now making efforts to secure land for the
erection of a building here which will supply a
worship hall, Sunday School room, weekday Primary
School or Bible Institute classes, and other activi-
ties of the Mission.
The location is selected, but the exact plot of
ground is not yet purchased. We hope to do this
within a very short time, as we believe we have
sufficient funds available for this. Then we shall
buy brick and other supplies as money is available,
and hope to have a building of our own before the
year's rental is up on the house we are renting. The
total cost of building will probably be about S2000
plus the land.
It is very important that we own a building here,
for we cannot have a funeral service or hospital
work of any kind in rented buildings, because of
the intense fear the Chinese have of death or dead
persons. A dead person may not be carried into a
house, and they fear a person other than a member
of the family dying in their house. Also there are
many other problems in renting, such as the land
lord desiring you to sign a false contract for income
tax evasion. We shall hope to continue the use of
the chapel in the Chien home, thus extending our
work to two sections of the city.
WEDDINGS
Romance seems to follow in the footsteps of the
Mission. During the past few months there have
been a number of weddings.
Miss Evalee Harris was married to Mr. Dexter
Williams on June 23 at Omaha, Nebraska, Mr.
and Mrs. Williams expect to come to China as soon
as their educational preparations are completed.
Miss Alice Loron, forwarding agent for the Mis
sion, was married to Mr. Neilan Dodson on June
27 at Silverton, Oregon. Mr. Dodson is a student
at Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon.
Mr. Chien Ting Kwan, Chinese fellow-worker,
was married to Miss Tseng Eng Shi on April 30 at
the Moore Memorial Church in Shanghai. The
ceremony was performed by Mrs. Sjodin. Miss
Tseng is the daughter of a former Baptist minister
now deceased.
Mr, Goo Yao Hwa was married in May. He is
a member of the church in Shanghai, having been
baptised on July 4 by Mrs. Sjodin.
Lt. Peng Deh Chiu of the Chinese Army Air
Force expects to be married soon at his home in
Changsha, and has already made the trip there. Mrs.
Sjodin received his confe.ssion on April 6 in Shang
hai, and he was baptized by Mr. Chien Ting Kwan
on May 2 in the absence of Mrs. Sjodin.
Mr. Wang Hwa Chang was to have been married
on November II to Miss Tsang Chiu Yang, but the
wedding has been postponed for a short period
because of the illness of Mr. Wang. Both Mr.
Wang and Miss Tsang were baptized by Mrs.
Sjodin and are active workers in the church in
Kweiyang.
Gladys H. Sjodin.
Chien, Mei Fun, the elder sister of Tin-Wu and
one who has been living with Mrs. Sjodin
and helping her with the Mission work.
NEEDED ITEMS
Many persons have .asked about sending gifts, so
we are listing things that we can use. Please mark
"Gift Parcel" and address to China Christian Mis
sion, c/o Mrs. Gladys H. Sjodin, 58 San Tsai Road,
Kweiyang, Kweichow, China.
Microscope
Medicines:
Penicillin
Hexylresorcinal (Worm medicine) called Crys-
toids. Manufactured by Sharpe aind Dohme
Co.)
Soda BicarbonateWashing Soda
Epsom Salts
Vitamin Pills, A, B, C and D
Eye Ointments
Sulfa Quanadine
Iron Tablets
Liver Extract
Used Clothing.
Magazines or Catalogs with pictures
Bible Story PicturesPrimary or Beginners Sun
day School Leaflets
Food Items:
Cocoa, malted milk, canned fruit, jello, coffee,
chewing gum, Koolaid (Grape flavor)
Phonograph records, used: Symphonies, hymns,
other good music (wrap well).
Mimeograph stencils and ink.
MEDICAL TREATMENT GIVEN
NEEDY CHINESE CHILDREN
During the period that our dispensary was open
many sick and diseased children came to us for
help. One patient, a small boy, came into the dis
pensary suffering from an abscess under his left
jaw. It was probably typhoid in origin, for he had
severe pains in the stomach and a fever. He was
very thin. I opened the abscess and drained it, then
packed it with gauze, A few weeks later he re
turned to see me, He was so fat and healthy that
I almost did not recognize him. His mother works
as washerwoman and whatever other work she can
get. His father is a ricksha coolie, but is now suf
fering from cancer of the liver and unable to work.
This was my first patient, introduced by my servant,
and he came to me before we officially opened the
dispensary.
Vitamins Aid Child
Another interesting case was a young child who
was having difficulty in seeing in the night; and
who also suffered from stomach trouble. He had
been told by the Chinese doctor not to eat many
things, including eggs, wheat, and fat. 1 gave the
child a dose of tablets of vitamin A to eat, and he
returned a short time later completely well. The
grateful family sent a scroll with a Chinese proverb
to hang in my office. I treated another similar case
and was also sent a like gift. The second child was
the child of the postman who delivers our mail.
One child came to us because it was Saturday
and the doctor of the family would not see patients.
The baby had suddenly taken ill, and had been
brought into the city from a nearby village. The
mother was carrying tire baby, and crying in tlie
street, when one of our friends saw her and asked
her what was the matter. She brought the child to
me. While waiting for an opportunity to see a
doctor, we gave injections of penicillin and on
Monday the child entered the hospital. After sev
eral days the diagnosis was madetubercular men
ingitis. There was one hopestreptomyacin. The
price was exhorbitant. I had not sufficient money
on hand to buy the medicine, and tried to arrange
for exchange. When we returned to the hospital
the child was dead. The mother had gone to
search for the father, who was with me trying to
secure money for the medicine. Later, when the
mother returned, it was heartbreaking to hear her
mourn for her childher first little son. A few
days later we accompanied the parents to the tomb
of the child, where we held a brief funeral service,
trying to give to them some of the Christian hope.
The Chinese say that when a child dies he was a
spirit reborn into the world who hoped to do evil,
and so he dies before he has sons. "This family at
tends our church service occasionally.
Another child came to me suffering from pneu
monia following measles. Chinese children have
the measles much worse than American children,
and it is a very dangerous disease to them. We
immediately sent the child to the hospital, and
helped him with his hospital fee. He was well in
two days and able to return home as a result of this
care and the penicillin that we gave to him.
The dispensary gives a marvelous contact with
the people, and during the period that it was open
we made many contacts which have led to the
building up of the Sunday school. We hope to open
the dispensary again at an early date. Just now we
are waiting for the completing of the Chien fam
ily's new home, so that we may have adequate space
here for the dispensary after they move to the other
house.
Gladys H. Sjodin.
Page 6
CHINA CHRISTIAN MISSION NEWS
January, 1949
FINANCIAL REPORT
April 1 December 9,1948
BALANCE ON HAND, APRIL I $1,375.07
(General Fund, $1,080 Living Link, $295.07)
Receipts:
ARKANSAS:
Women's Council, First Christian Church,
Rogers $ 32.50
ARIZONA:
Mrs. Esther Sjodin, Phoenix $ 5.00
CALIFORNIA:
Miss. See. Church of Christ, Corona $ 65.00
Christian Church, Santa Rosa,
(Jessie M. Nash, Memorial) 3.00
Women's Miss. Council, Christian Church,
Santa Rosa 13.00
Total $ 81.00
CONNECTICUT:
Mr. Creighton Winters, New Haven $ 30.00
GEORGIA:
Women's Council, First Christian
Church, Carrollton $ 5.00
ILLINOIS:
Lucile Thi.er, Urbana ... $. 5.00
Miss. Study Group, Landownele Church of
Christ, East St. Louis 11.00
Mr. and Mrs. Merrill I. Cruzan, Springfield 10.00
Central Church, Rockiord 50.00
Total $ 76.00
IOWA:
D. V. B. S., Morningside Church of Christ,
Sioux City $ 8.35
Donna Lockling, Modale 5.00
Church of Christ', Clarion. .". 8.50
Total $ 21.85
INDIANA:
Miss Soc., Church of Christ, Burlington $ 5.00
Mr. and Mrs. Glep Morrical, Portland 50.00
Church of Christ, Indianola 5.00
First Christian Church, Knox 5.00
University Heights Christian Church,
Indianapolis 26.00
Total $ 91.00
KANSAS:
Christian Church, Logan $ 22.10
Ellen Lawrence, Horton 10.00
Student Volunteers, Manhattan Bible
College, Manhattan 50.00
Homebuilder's Class, Westside Christian
Church, Topeka 60.00
Children of Christian Church, Hill City 21.85
Mrs. L. R. Worchester, Hill City 5.00
Y. P. Class, Christian Church, Hill City 17.85
Y. M. B. P. Class, Hill City 11.85
Grace and Grit Class, Christian
Church, Vermillion 15.00
Donald Harper, Vermillion 100.00
H. T. Harper, Vermillion 20.00
T. A. Phillips, Englewood 12.00
Church of Christ, Protection 8.00
Christian Ladies Aid, Ogallah 25.00
Church of Christ, Ogallah 60.00
Mrs. Robert Morris, Hill City 30 00
Total $468.65
KENTUCKY:
C. E. First Christian Church, Lexington $ 20.00
MICHIGAN:
D. V. B. S., Owosso $ 23.50
Bible School and Miss. Soc., Buchanan 3.50
River Park Church of Christ, Niles 44.40
Total $ 71.40
MINNESOTA:
Church of Christ, Faribault $ 13.55
MISSOURI:
Walnut Street Christian Miss. Soc.,
Springfield 10.00
Christian Church, Springfield 10.00
Total $ 20.00
NEBRASKA:
Perry Thomas, Nebraska Christian
College, Norfolk $ 4.75
D. V. B. S., Orchard 8.03
Christian Church, Liberty 50.00
Christian Church, Odell 50.00
Mr. W. G. Flint, Norfolk 20.00
Total $132.78
NEW JERSEY:
Central Christian Church, East Orange ... $ 50.00
NEW YORK:
Church of Christ, Brooklyn $ 40 00
OHIO:
Manchester Jr. C. E., Church of
Christ, Clinton $ 20.00
First Church of Christ, Barberton 25.00
Leonard G. Mdrsh, Steubenville 13.00
Sherman Church of Christ, Barberton 10.00
Y. P. Soc., Columbia Church of Christ,
Edon 50.00
South Akron Church of Christ, Akron 33.16
Noble Avenue Church of Christ, Akron 25.00
Church of Christ, East Sparta 20.00
C. E. Macedonia Church of Christ,
Midland 6.00
Dorothy Brandon, Clinton 5 00
Total $207.16
OREGON:
Church of Christ, Stayton $ 24.33
Alice Loron (Dodson) 49.20
J. C. Pickert, Silverton 20.00
Independent Miss. Group, Eugene 70.00
Senior Class Project, Northwest
Christian College, '48
First Christian Church, Klamath Falls lO.OO "
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bunting, Silverton 30.00
Church of Christ, Vaughn 30.00
Mrs. L. E. Allumbaugh, Eugene 10.00
Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Klor, Eugene 20.00
Total $338.53
PENNSYLVANIA:
Miss. Soc. Bryn Mawr Church of
Christ, McKeesport 25.00
Loyal Daughters, New Salem Christian
Church, New Salem 15.00
Church of Christ, Scottdale II 20
Total $ 51.20
SOUTH CAROLINA:
Mrs. Margaret B. Marion, Columbia 11.00
TEXAS:
TEXAS:
Students and Workers, Colegio
Biblico, Eagle Pass 10 00
TENNESSEE:
Women's Miss. Class, Newport 5 00
WASHINGTON:
Lincoln Park Christian Church, Tacoma 10.00
WEST VIRGINIA:
Y. P. Miss. Soc., Follansbee $ 15.00
W. M. S., First Christian Church,
_Chester 15,00
Mid-week Bible School, Christian Church,
Elm Grove 10.00
Warwood Christian Church Miss.
Soc., Wheeling 10.00
Total $ 50.00
WISCONSIN:
First Church of Christ, Ladysmith $ 46.17
Youth Rally, Soldiers' Grove 15.21
Total $ 6L38
Refund on Gladys' Life Insurance $ 2.93
Transfer from account of Walter V. Jones 396.62
Returned from China 198.00
TOTAL RECEIPTS (General Fund) $2,500.55
/
January, 1949 CHINA CHRISTIAN MISSION NEWS Page 7
Living Link Report
Christian Church, Roseburg, Oregon $350.00
Church of Christ, Drain, Oregon 80.00
Christian Church, Seneca, Missouri 100.00
Miss. Soc. West Walnut Street Church of Christ,
Portland, Indiana 50.00
Christian Church, Elm Grove, West Virginia 100.00
Christian Church, Hill City, Kansas 100.00
TOTAL LIVING LINK. $ 780.00
$3,280.55
Brought Forward 1,375.07
Total $4,655.62
Total Expenses 3,341.66
BALANCE (General Fund), Dec. 9 $1,313.96
Chin-Ting Wu Memorial Fund
Balance April 1 $132.00
Transferred to the account 118.00
Interest 40
Scholarships sent for college sludents.
Balance Dec. 9
Expenditures
Printing (Bulletins)
Cuts for bulletins
Flannel-graph supplies
Postage
Mimeographing (News Letter)
Supplies (Standard Publishing Co.)
Sent to China
Fees for sending money to China
Life Insurance Premiums (Holland)
Life Insurance Premium (Gladys)
Books for Chinese Man's wages
Mimeograph Supplies
Transferred to Chin, Ting, Wu Memorial.
Used in China (Checks)
$250.40
. 30.00
..$220.40
i 350.00
10.20
28.00
26.00
33.08
66.65
1,510.00
13.75
20.58
37.59
11.50
19.25
118.00
1,097.06
TOTAL EXPENDITURES $3,341.66
Present Status:
Money on hand. General Fund, December 9, 1948 $1,313.96
Chin, Ting Wu, Memorial Fund 220.40
TOTAL ASSETS $1,534.36
HNANCIAL REPORT OF HOLLAND L. SJODIN
October 1,1947 to October 31,1948
Receipts from US $625.00
Expenditures
Transportation 75.00
Typewriter 100.00
Building Repairs 125.00
Salary for Chinese Teacher 12.00
Returned to US 98.00
Fee on Money returned to US 2.00
Transferred to account of Mrs. Sjodin 62.50
Living Link 150.50
Financial Report of Gladys H. Sjodin
February 1 to October 31, 1948
Balance on February 1 $ 292.50
Receipts
(Checks perhaps late in being returned
to bank) 1,453.00
Transfer to Memorial Fund of Gift
received in China 17.00
Cash from Alice 10.00
$ 625.00
Transfer from Mr. Sjodin 62.50
Transfer from US 1,050.00
$2,885.00
Expenditures
Postage 31.86
Custom Duty 16.00
Books, Bibles, and Maps 32.51
Transportation 10.50
Rental of Baptistry 4.50
Cablegram 5.00
Medicine and Dispensary Supplies 56.18
Printing 9.00
Teaching Supplies 2.50
Pictures 17.52
Remodeling of House 160.00
Gasoline for Motor Scooter. 20.00
Transportation of Self and Supplies from
Shanghai to Kweiyang 487.00
Special Gifts for Lee Hwa 14.75
Furniture and Church Furnishings 198.08
Motor Scooter Repair 10.00
Blackboards 4.50
Electrical Supplies 66.83
Salary, Chinese Teacher 15.00
Salary, Speech and Music Teachers,
Bible College 11.94
Bank Fees and Interest 43.25
Office Helper, Salary. 8.13
Scholarships from Chien Ting Wu
Memorial 30.00
Translator 10.44
Coolie Fee 2.00
Caretaker's Salary 2.50
Painting 18.62
Electricity 3.12
Papering of House 32.50
Workmen, House and Furniture Repair.... 29.62
Wood and Nails 55 23
House Rental for one year 107.50
Living Link for Mrs. Sjodin 720.00
Miscellaneous 47.52
Balance 499.90
$2,785.00
Returned to Alice Dodson 100.00
$2,885.00
Group of Christians recently baptized with Mr.
Wang and Mrs. Sjodin in the background.
CHINA CHRISTIAN MISSION DEDICATES
HOUSE OF WORSHIP, SEPTEMBER 21
By GLADYS H. SJODIN
Missienery, China
Wlieu 1 arrived in Kweiyang early in May,
I came to the home in which our small group
ot' Christians meet. The way had beeu pre
pared for me to come to China by the young
aviatiou cadet, Chien Ting-Wu, and the way
to Kweiyaug had been prepared by his older
brother,"Chieu Ting-Kwan. The older brother
and his wife escorted me ou the three-day
journey from Chungking to Kweiyang to
help me settle iu my new home. Within a
few days after my arrival, I began to teach
a small ciiiss of- students. We met every
night for three weeks. At the cud of the.
three weeks, eigiit persons were' baptized.
My first prol)lcm was to find a house in
. which to live and carry ou my work. Major
' Chieu and his wife, wiio were interested in
my work hocausc of niy friendship vviHi his,
younger brothers, was eager to help in my
work. I requested them to help mo rent a
house, since funds were not suflicieiit to build
a liouse.
A few days after my arrival they informed
mo that they wore giving me their house to
, use for the mission work, and that they
would build a new house for the family. The
part of the old Chinese residence, bui^t more
than two huudred years ago by Chien Tung
Hsien, their great-grandfather, consisted of
four rooms, a courtyard, and two rooms on
the opijosite side of the courtyard.
Even before the liouse of tlie Chien family
was complete, we began to remodel the old
house for the mission use. Tlirec rooms were
made into a large worship rooin, another al
lotted for uso as office and dining-room, an
upper floor for living quarters, and a storage
room. The rooms on the opposite side of the
courtyard will be used for a dispensary.
Dedication service for the new worship
room was held Sept. 21, just one year after
I arrived iu Cliiiia and a little more than
four months after I arrived in Kweiyang.
More than 80 friends of the church were
present, and ministers from other churches
in the city gave addresses. At that time our
number of Christians hero was 19; however
there are now 2(5 and several others are to bo
baptized soon.
The design of the furniture and the wor
ship room was done by Chinese Cliristians.
The total cost of the remodeling of the build
ing and the furnishings was about $300.
Since this building will not be sufficient for
our needs indeflnitely, we are hoping to
build another in a different part of the city
and continue activities from both centers.
We have found it necessary to rent another
house for one year for use of the Bible
school and Bible college.
Rapid Progress Reported
in Kweiyang (China) Church
While the war situation has delayed progress
of the China Christian Mission church in
Shanghai, the church in Kweiyang, under the
leadership of Gladys Sjodin, has been making
rapid gains and now has twenty-five resident
and four non-resident members. This con
gregation recently elected its first deacons,
Wang Hwa Chang and Tsang Hsi Ling. The
Kweiyang church does not have Sunday eve
ning services, but it is hoped that services will
be started in the near future. Monday and
Thursday nights are devoted to Bible classes
for persons interested in beginning to study
the Bible. '
On Saturday evenings, the Kweiyang church
has a fellowship hour with Bible study and
prayer. The purpose of these meetings is to
promote a closer feeling of fellowship among
the (ihristians, most of whom are young peo
ple. It also helps them to grow in their Chris
tian life and gives them an opportunity to
discuss problems of mutual interest to all
Christians. Some time is spent in wholesome
recreation, and some time is devoted to sing
ing. The various phases of the activities are
under the direction of the young people, thus
training them to accept responsibility and to
grow in Christian leadership.
Bible Institute Begins New Work
The Kweiyang Bible Institute opened on
September 6, with four full-time and ten
part-time students. Three of the students have
been granted scholarships from the Chien Ting
Wu Memorial Fund. These students in re
turn give eighteen hours of work a week to
the various phases of mission activities.
The courses offered this year are Bible
Book by Book, Evangelism, Life of Christ,
Acts, Planning Worship Services, Choir, and
Speech. All of the Bible classes are under
the direction of Mrs. Sjodin. Mr. Sjodin. will
teach Homiletics, Greek, and English when he
arrives in Kweiyang. Most of the part-time
students are in Middle School, but they are
interested in some study of the Bible on a
college basis.
Eighty Children Attend Bible Class
With a Wednesday evening Bible-class at
tendance having reached a peak of eighty
children, we have found the home that the
Chien family has given us for missions use is
being outgrown. Recently, we rented a house
near by for one hundred dollars per year. This
honse has twelve rooms and three courtyards.
These classes are taught by the students of
the Bible College as a laboratory project. The
Sunday classes are taught by the members of
the church who are enrolled in one or more
courses in the Bible Institute. Wo hope to
start a class to teach illiterate persons to read
the Bible.
Flans Are Being -Made to Build a New
Home for Mission
We are now making efforts to secure land
for the erection of a building here which will
supply a worship hall, Bible-school rooms,.
weekday primary school or Bible Institute
classes, and other activities of the mission.
The location has been selected, but the
exact plot of ground has not been purchased.
We hope to do this within a short time. The
total cost of building )Will probably be about
two thousand dollars.
It is very important that wo own a build
ing here. We can not have a funeral service
or hospital work of any kind in rented build
ings, because of the intense fear the Chinese
have of death and dead persons. A dead per
son may not be carried into a house, and they
have an intense fear of a person other than a
member of the family dying in the house.
Christian Service Camp Held
How does one start to find the location for
a Christian Service Camp? The question had
never been put to me in America, but just
. a few weeks after arriving in Kweiyang,
'jdiis question confronted me. It seemed to
me that we urgently needed a Christian
Service Camp for some of the young people
who had expressed interest in the gospel.
The family of our founder, Chien, Ting-Wu,
had a home in a little village about ten
miles from Kweiyang, which they had used
as a bombing refuge during the war. How
ever, the road to this village was rough, and
it was often the scene of robberies.
A friend loaned us a house in the resort
of Hwa Chi, near the Kweiehow University.
This place was about the same distance from
the city, but it would not be necessary to
walk, and there was no problem of robbers
or getting supplies.
The schedule of the camp differed very
little from that of a camp in the United
States. The bugle call was sounded at 0:00.
F^iUirtliy 'a quick dash to tire tiroo'g for
the morning face-washiig and teeth-bmshing,
we had morning watch, followed by a class,
breakfast, and three more classes. The-sub
jects taught were New Testament Church,
Old Testament Characters, Church History,
and Christ from the Prophets. The only
teacher was the missionary assisted by a
translator. MftS. G1iAJ>T8 H. SJODIN
FOR DECEMBER 31^1'! 94 g
Convmunists Capture Kwejyang,
Mission Station of Sjodins
.Eugene, Ore.Mrs. Neilan Dodson, forwarding
agent for China Christian Mission, submits a
report concerning Eblland arid Gladys Sjodin:
"We read in our newspapers that the Com
munists had come to Kweiyang. We do not
know .the extent of the, damage done, nor
an:^hing about 'the conditions there how;
However, it is my personal, belie_f, and. tbe
belief of others with whom' T have talked,
that,the Sjodins. are still in Kweiyang.. You
will remember, their determination to stay.
This decision was not changed after they defi
nitely know the 'Beds' were coming, for in
the last letter received from them, Gladjs said
that Mr. Lee would give them'-contract
for, the property..before the Gomutunists.come.'
Missionaries .of the .China, Inland , Mis
sion and other missions were also staying., .1
believe they are safe, but communications are
either hindered or cut off. Their last letter
took a month to arrive, whereas air mail froni
them is normally delivered in one week's time.
"Mr. Lee has received the entire' amount
of $6,500, the purchase price of the , property
valued at $10,000 in a recent estimate.' Since
the latest report, half,, of . this ., amount was
sent us as offerings, and the remaining $1,000
was borrowed from the bank in Silverton,
Ore., where the mission account has been since
I became forwarding agent; This loan will
be repaid to the bank in monthly payments
of $88.34 for a period of twelve months. We
thought it unadvisahle to make the payipe.nts
any higher, because. the Sjodins will be nee^:
ing more for their support under the new or
der and with the ctHning of winter weathM."