Miss Lucy Andrus has been working among the Chinese women in Peiping for about eight years, and is in the work because she truly loves it.* She lives among these native women and girls from early morning until late evening. This year her furlough was due, but even with health hindrances she stays on and says nothing about going home. She is always teaching one or more of the native church women how to work for their own people. Of course she gives many studies herself, but as soon as the church members have developed sufficiently to give readings, they are encouraged to do so.
In Peiping we have a large church and one chapel. The women's side of the church is always well filled, and new faces appear every Sabbath as a result of these contacts with Miss Andrus and her native assistants. Every baptismal service makes her heart rejoice as she sees her readers join the Christian army. A Chinese Bible woman has charge of the compound buildings and services, and really carries the full responsibility of an elder, except in special services where an ordained laborer must officiate. Every spring Miss Andrus holds a ten-day women's meeting in the chapel, which is open to all who will come. They have Bible studies, health talks, and instruction in reading and singing, as well as truly devotional hours. These meetings are primarily for the purpose of helping the women, although the whole membership receives benefit.
In the church similar meetings are held in much the same way, though they are larger. The services of the nurses from a large city clinic are secured for the health talks, and this adds variety. It is wonderful to see the women seated around long tables, learning more of the gospel. Occasionally a Bible women's training class is held; but due to lack of money, this is not conducted as often as the Bible workers would like. The home Bible studies are often conducted as are cottage meetings in the home fields. The one in whose home the study is held, invites in her neighbors and friends. As a result they become attendants at church, and receive personal instruction either in their own homes or in the home of Miss Andrus. In these cottage Bible readings, men, women, and children are often present. It is easy to get a crowd, but, due to the illiteracy of the people, it is not always so easy to create an interest in study. God has surely blessed in this endeavor.
Yencheng, Honan, China.
*I have written about Miss Andrus's work because I know she would not voluntarily acquaint others with her activities. I am confident that she would appreciate closer contact with the chain of Bible workers around the world. She is the only foreign Bible worker in the North China Union.—Miss. D. C. McP.
