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Show Peking GENERAL REPORT 27 ganization which recently has had its inception at the North Church, and which bids fair to become a great force in the life of the churches. This is the volunteer preaching band. A number of Christians wishing to do more active work for the church than the regular services required, organized themselves into this preaching band. Members from other churches joined them until their membership has grown to include those from all the missions of the East City. These men go into the chapels, on to the streets, or into the temple fairs, wherever they can draw a crowd by singing and preaching. They carry with them their banners and flags and wear badges, so that they are marked as a special group of men. One rule of the organization is that the members must wear neat and clean clothes and present a pleasing appearance. Their meetings are conducted decently and in order yet with a zeal that draws men to them. They carry with them Bibles and tracts working in close connection with the colporteurs. Not only are these men bringing the Gospel to many who have never heard it, but they are also keeping their own spirits fresh, are bringing into the work some who have been cold of heart, and are receiving valuable training in personal work. In the country the work differs somewhat from that in the city, in that the bands go from village to village holding meetings upon the streets or threshing floors. The cordiality with which they have been received has been a surprise to the Chinese themselves. T- » , „ „ ^ r,^T TT-T- Last summer the region in the south- FAMINE RELIEF , c , , a , , , ern part ot our held was Hooded by the breaking of river banks. This meant that over large areas of land nothing was produced and that many of the villagers had nothing to live upon. After carefully exploring the field Mr. Stelle thought the situation warranted the distribution of famine relief. Accordingly he and Pastor Wang with funds that had been appropriated for that purpose, bought grain and personally saw to the distribution of it. In Su Chia Ch'iao the gentry raised $1400.00 for the poor and cooperated with the church in seeing that it was wisely expended. Thus were many "of these least" made to feel the influence of Him who blessed the loaves for the hungry multitude. |