Introduction
The Shantung Christian College (informally called Cheeloo University) was a united effort of Anglicans, English Baptists, Canadian Presbyterians, and American Presbyterians. This university became a conglomeration of several different schools.
► Arts College at Weihsien/ Weixian (Weifang)
► Theological College at Tsingchowfu (Qingzhou)
► Medical College in Tsinan (Jinan)
By 1909 the college was consolidated in one location—Tsinan (Jinan). The revival in this account occurred at Weihsien, also referred to as Weixian, and now—Weifang.
At a time when many mission agencies had started colleges and universities in China, there was often the challenge of getting students to commit to Christian ministry. One deterrent keeping Chinese students from pursuing a career in ministry was the culture that was strongly anti-Christian. These students (and their parents) also recognized that Christian ministry was not the most lucrative profession.
This revival account shows how God turned this situation around, with over 100 students being placed on a trajectory for becoming ministers of the Gospel. The revival occurred at the Shantung Arts College and the associated middle school, Point Breeze Academy (these were later consolidated into one college—The Shantung Christian College, or how it was informally known, Cheeloo University.
Preparation for the Evangelist
A former graduate of the college, Rev. Ding Limei, a young man noted for his “marked spiritual power,” was asked to come the last part of March 1909, to lend his notoriety and giftings to inspire and challenge students to consider becoming a minister of the Gospel.
Beginning the first week of 1909, several efforts were employed to prepare the students for Limei’s arrival:
► Sermons were delivered about “the power and joy of a life surrendered to God.”
► Bible studies were conducted.
► Prayer meetings were held. These were scheduled on the two Sunday evenings prior to Limei’s arrival. These meetings were tremendous faith builders, as those present at them indicated that they heard with their spiritual ears,
The sound of one marching in the tops of the mulberry trees (2 Sam. 5:24 NKJV).
That gave them the confidence that God was going before them and that the meetings with Limei were going to be successful.
Shantung Union College in Weihsien
Start of the Meetings
The first meeting with Rev. Ding Limei began on Tuesday evening, March 30. Following him speaking, he conducted private interviews with students, one by one. These personal meetings became the central features of this revival, and after he delivered a sermon on “The Duties of the Watchman,” based on Ezekiel 33, seven of the top seniors made the commitment to give their lives to the ministry.
Seeing God at work among the student body, the leaders at the college cleared the school’s schedule so that all could give priority time to the ministry of Ding Limei.
Daily Schedule
The entire mission compound participated in the meetings: the college students, the students from the girls’ school, and even patients in the hospital. The day’s schedule during these days followed these times:
► 6:30 a.m. prayer
► 10:00 a.m. sermon
► 2:30 p.m. sermon
► Evening sermon
After three days, Limei became to exhausted to keep up that schedule in addition to meeting with students between meetings, so others stepped in and shared the workload.
On Saturday, the time was spent in small groups, either praying or studying the Bible. All during this time Limei and others were meeting students one-on-one.
Testimony Night
When the numbers making commitment to the ministry rose to 80, Limei scheduled Saturday evening for testimonies to be given. On this evening, student after student rose to share the reasons why they had made the decision to commit to the ministry.
Boast of Quietness
At a time when there were numerous revivals breaking out in China, some were clearly opposed to the emotions that were released during those revivals. The missionary reporting on this 1909 Weihsien College Revival (H. W. Luce), was evidently one of those opposed to those emotional releases, as he went to great lengths to say that during this revival, there was:
► “No undue emotion.”
► “Only one man wept.”
► “None broke down.”
► “Quietness characterized the revival from beginning to end.”
► “God spoke through the still small voice, in the quietness of men’s hearts, producing very deep but well-controlled convictions.
Luce also mentioned that Rev. Ding Limei had previously leaned toward “certain extreme methods of emotional evangelism,” but that during this revival, Luce
Expressed the pleasure we had in noting the quietness of his [Limei’s] methods.
Increase in Ministry Commitments
During the time of Limei’s visit the numbers of those making commitments to Christian ministry continually rose until it reached over 100, laying the foundation for many dozens of churches to be started and pastored in the coming years.
Sources
► Ding Limei by Prayer for China
► The Revival in Weihsien College by H. W. Luce (The Chinese Recorder – August 1909)
► Editorial by The Chinese Recorder (February 1909)
► Shantung Christian University by Wikipedia
► Editorial: The Growing Power of the Chinese Pastorate by The Chinese Recorder (August 1909)
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