Pioneering in - Far Eastern Bible College

Chapter 5Strange Quarry from a Wild Island“To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am madeall things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I dofor the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” (I Cor.9:22, 23)Wherever the Chinese went outside of China he was alwaysencumbered by every kind of trouble. From the time of leaving hiscountry to the time of landing in a new one, he had to go throughevery red-tape, spend money and mark time. These made it amental torture for every emigrant. Thus, before I set foot onBorneo, I had already seen many strange things. Althoughoverseas Chinese met with these difficulties, the number ofemigrants kept on mounting year after year. This was due largelyto natural disasters and man-engendered tribulations, making lifeunbearable. Finding no escape from these woes, emigrationbecame their solution. It is said that twenty-five years agoemigrants from Hong Kong, Swatow, Amoy, Shanghai and otherChina ports amounted to 50,000 a year. From Swatow alone itaveraged 15,000. And, those emigrants being all countrybumpkins, they were preyed upon by various government officers.From this situation had arisen all kinds of strange happenings.Having got out of the old country with difficulty, the emigrantwas faced with another upon entry to the new country. Passport,luggage and body all came under stringent examination. There73