Australian Churches of Christ mission work in China was brought to a halt during this period. The mission premises at Heuili, Southern Szechwan, was raided and burned in 1935 by the communist troops on their long march. The second mission premises, in Shanghai, was destroyed by Japanese bombing in 1937. A recent history overseas mission work among Churches of Christ in Australia is K. Bowes (Ed.), Partners, One Hundred Years of Mission Overseas by Churches of Christ in Australia, 1891-1991, Melbourne, Overseas Mission Board, Vital, 1990.

A.C., 1935, p. 506.

      In the issue of July 11 we reported the serious state of affairs in West China. The communists were then only four days from Hueili, but were being pursued in a northerly direction by Yunnan soldiers. What had happened to cities and towns in other sections gave us little reason to hope that Hueili could escape the same suffering should these desperate forces reach the Hueili plain. Our fears were well founded. A letter written on June 6 tells the sad story.

      The reds, pursued by Yunnan soldiers, crossed the Yangtze river and made direct for the Hueili plain. The government troops at Hueili were mainly concerned with saving the inside of the city, where their own residences are situated. The city proper is surrounded by a huge stone wall, but a large section of the city is surrounded by a lesser wall lying outside the main walled city.

Section of City Looted and Burned

      The communists made their attack mainly on all the lesser city, known as the northern and eastern suburbs. Hundreds of the people from this section carried movable things into the city proper, but had little time to do much. It was stated that the government troops were to be stationed outside in this section to protect lives and property. As soon as the people began to stampede the soldiers seized the opportunity to loot many of the homes, and returned to the inside city with the plunder, leaving the city and those outside to their fate. On the near approach of the communists the city gates were closed. The communists, having little opposition, stormed the place and ruthlessly burned the homes.

Mission Plant Heap of Ruins

      The densely populated northern suburb was practically wholly burned out. In this section lay our mission buildings and most of the homes of our Christians. Our property was the most substantially built property in the place, built entirely of brick and separated sufficiently from adjoining property to be

almost free from the danger of fire. Actually the place was fired separately, twice, before the fire took sufficient hold to destroy it. Thus the building that took so much planning and sacrifice on the part of those on the field and those at home was destroyed within a few hours.

Leaders Flee to Outstation

      With the approach of the communists our leaders, hearing what had happened to Christians in other parts, decided to seek refuge at the tribes' outstation. Mr. Chen, the pastor of the Chinese Home Mission Society, accompanied by his family and some of the other leaders, set off to this place of refuge in the hills. Mrs. Yee (better known as Pearl Anderson) was also a member of this party, and from her all this news has been gathered.

      The party remained in hiding for two days awaiting news from the city. Messengers arrived telling that the outside suburbs were all destroyed, many people were killed, and the communists were now advancing in a direction not far removed from where they were hiding.

Robbed Whilst Fleeing

      The party decided to flee and keep in advance of the advancing communists. Two days on their journey this party was met by a band of local brigands. These brigands had seized the opportunity, whilst the government was engaged elsewhere, to watch for refugees. The party were robbed of everything they had--horses, food, clothes and money. The greater part of the clothing was even stripped off their backs. Their condition was pitiable since Mrs. Chen, wife of pastor Chen, was in poor health, and several children were in the party.

      Driven onwards by this party and threatened with death if they turned back, the refugees had to proceed on foot. After walking many weary miles they reached a home where an old lady, a stranger to them offered them temporary shelter, clothing and food, and gave them a little money to resume their journey. The party made their way back to the tribes' centre, and after resting a few days, again made an attempt to leave the district, since the communists were still about. A second time they met local brigands, who again relieved them of all they had. Pastor Chen then decided to return to the tribes' centre and rest there and wait developments. Hearing that the communists had removed from near Hueili, Pearl returned to the city to her father-in-law, her husband being at Shanghai at present.

Destitution, Death and Suffering

      When Pearl returned to Hueili her heart was nearly broken with the things witnessed. Their own home had been destroyed, and the family, before the ruin of comfortable means, were reduced to sleeping on boards and were being fed by friends. Pastor Chen, of the Chinese Home Mission Society, lost everything he had, also our old evangelist Tseng. Destitute people were roaming the streets, many dying of starvation; scores of those people are homeless and hungry, and nothing done to relieve the suffering.

Help Sent to Needy Christians

      As soon as the Board heard of the disaster it was decided to send some financial assistance to destitute Christians. Unfortunately two months have already passed since the disaster, and two more must pass before assistance reaches them. Until the Board received further word nothing more can be done, either to assist needy Christians or to offer any advice concerning the crisis.

God Seen Through Their Tears

      Despite suffering, poverty and pain the Christians rejoice that all have escaped bodily harm, and are offering their praises and gratitude to God that their lives have been spared. They rejoice, too, that no white missionaries were there at the time.

      Pastor Chen and the other leaders were still waiting in the mountains when our last report was received. Their home, clinic and chapel have been destroyed, thus making it hard for us at home to visualise the future. We await word from the headquarters of the Chinese Home Mission Society to know what plans they can put into force for the carrying on of the work. The problem almost seems insurmountable, and the Board earnestly seek the prayers of the whole brotherhood in this sad and serious crisis.

A.C., 1937, p. 714.

      Some weeks ago letters of sympathy were sent to our Shanghai Christians through Mr. Lacy, of the American Bible Society, and to Mr. Tong, of the Chinese Home Mission Society. Our Chinese Christians are passing through sad and trying times, and possibly the work of years has been partly destroyed. The building referred to in Mr. Todnem's letter is the one hat the Christians purchased about 1932 at a cost of over 800 pounds. Our work at Hueili is far away from the war zone, but Mr. Tong tells how their work is suffering because of the present hostilities.

September 29, 1937.      

Dear Mr. Anderson,--

      Dr. Lacy is on leave in America. Your letter of August 20 has come to me for attention. We have had a difficult time since August 13. All of Chapel and Yangtzepoo areas have been shot over and great spaces burned out.

      The property used for the church was completely destroyed by fire. Mr. Wu and family fled from the premises on August 10, taking with them things for their immediate use. They are now in French Town, and the members of the church are scattered. All left their homes. Many now are in temporary shelters. The whole picture is a depressing one. We shall try to pass on your word of greeting and cheer.

Shanghai, October 5, 1937.      

Dear Mr. Anderson,--

      Your letter of August 20 and the telegraphic transfer for 50 pounds came to Shanghai about the same time. On account of the Sino-Japanese war in Shanghai we could not get the money exchange until to-day. The amount of the exchange is 840.61 dollars Mex. Enclosed please find receipt for the same. I must thank you very much for your letter with greetings and the remittance for the third payment, 1937.

      I suppose you have received my letter of July 21 and a small package of four pictures which tell their own story of the work in Hueili. You may print them in your "Pearls" if you wish.

      The people here have been suffering a great deal since the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese war in the north. On August 13 the war trouble came to Shanghai. Thousands of lives are lost, and thousands of houses, shops, schools, hospitals and churches are destroyed. The trouble this time is much worse than it was in the year 1932.

      As the war is not limited to Shanghai or to the north, the people of the whole of China are suffering. The Japanese without any reason have killed many people in all big cities and towns by air raids. On account of the whole nation being in trouble, the contributions of the churches to our society are all stopped. Our financial condition is very bad. In our last committee meeting we decided not to send any new missionary or doctor to all our stations until the war is finished, but the case of sending a doctor to Hueili is an exception. Dr. Gie is ready to be sent, and we are ready to send him as soon as travel is possible.

      The work of all outer stations is still going on very well, because in the frontier provinces there is no war. Please remember our work in your prayers and in the prayers of your friends and churches.

      The chairman of the Federal Board requests the prayers of the whole brotherhood for our Chinese Christians in their hour of sore distress.

[NOF 554-556]