University of Nanking - Linguist Yearbook (Nanking, China)

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SEEING PALESTTNE IN CHINA 111 Who has ever travelled much in China and not seen over and over again the crowds which gather so quickly at any unusual eventg Or has not seen the doorways so crowded that if one were to enter, it would have to be by way of the roof. VVe can easily understand why laccheus had to climb a tree in order to see jesus. How eagerly do the Chinese sit or stand for hours to hear some preacher speak with a message. The Oriental has no thought of the time if he is eager to hear or to see. No wonder jesus could not send the people away but fed the multitudes where he was. We can more clearly understand how, after Peter's powerful sermon, more than three thousand were added to the church in one day. The Orient seems full to overflow- ing with children, and always where jesus was, the children too, would gather. How natural it was for jesus to cal-l a child to him and bless It or use it in his parable. The next day is a feast clay. For just as in Bible times there were Special feasts days and various gods, so in China today. As we draw nearer to the city the crowds increase. We notice some dusty weary travellers, dressed in a different garb. Upon inquiry we find that they are famine sufferers from the north, and like Ioseph's brerln-en are coming south with their asses to take back food and grain for their families. All along the crowded way are the beggars, the halt, the lame, the maimed and blind, and here and there a demoniac, all reaching out their hands for help. Of course Jesus' great svmpa- thetic heart went out to them and He healed them before He preached to them. How apt was Jesus' story of the good Samaritan. for here travellers pass by on the other side and leave those who are in trou- ble or need, to their own fate. H . -, ra ,at I 1 'XG gil A well which has furnished water for centuries We are now within sight of the great wall of the city of our destination. We enter by way of the water gate which is muddy and slippery from the hundreds of buckets of water which the people have carried into the city during the day. We pass by the great city temple. Here in the Orient the temple and court is a noisy market place. It must have been such a scene ashthis which aroused the

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110 THE LINGUTSTH We remember the story of jesus going to raise the boy from the deadg I-Iow the crowd was so great that llc could scarcely enter. The Bible often speaks of the wailing for the dead. As we draw still nearer we can hear the women weeping. Only those who have heard the Oriental woman wail can quite understand these Biblical ex- pressions. V The day is now far spent and we are weary with the slow travel- ling. We too, come to the village well where all the villagers come at some time during the day. We sit on the stone curb, which today is furrowed deep by the constant rubbing up and down of the ropes of the water buckets as they supplied for centuries the water for which men thirst again. While we are refreshing ourselves, the village folk come out to see us. How often they bring a sick child to us and ask for help or medicine. If we are friendly and talk to them or are able to help them with the medicines that we always carry with us. they too will return unto the village and. tell them all things that we have said and done to them. So that soon the whole country side knows about us and is eager for our return. . I' -- ,z ,gs ittartgfff ' 1 r -- . sa .ff...- .,,.-.-..v,,, .1 ,r ,.v .3 This iS nQt l'lalziarn.'bnt, the burrow might be his ass.

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1122 Tl-lli l,lNGUlS'l ' wrath of jesus at the desecration ofthe sanctity of the holy te1nple and made l'lim take a scourge and drive them out saying 'fllily l ather'S house is a house of Prayer. As we pass down the crowded streets of thc city we see enacted before us many times the story of the rich man revclling in his plenty and the poor scabby beggar Lazarus pleading on the door step for bread. XVe realize anew why jesus said the poor ye have with you always. Many customs too, are identical with those of Palestine, twenty centuries ago. The servant is sent out to inform us that the feast is now prepared and we are invited to come for 'fall is ready. Wine is still an important part of the wedding feast. The Chinese man of today has very much the same attitude toward woman as did the apostle Paul. As of old, every oriental man feels he must have sons, even though it means he must take unto himself several wives or concubines. The Bible speaks of hiding tl1e treasure. The oriental has no other way except hiding or burying his treasure. We can see the man wrapping his talents in a napkin, for here everything of value is wrapped in a square cloth or napkin for carrying or safe keeping. When jesus could no longer struggle under His cross,a passing Workman was commandeered to carry it for Him. So in China, when troops are moving or necessity arises, any available man may be commandeered into service. The most precious idea of Christ as our mediator is one most natural to the Chinese. The Oriental idea is always that a middle personality should act for one in all matters of importance, and that Christ should intercede for us at the Father's throne is a realistic idea for the Chinese. , With the Chinese naturally familiar with Bible times and customs, is it not possible that this developing, thinking, living Church of China today in this twentieth century, may give to the past interpretations of the Bible new richness and life? I. M. L.