Page 116 - Three Score Years & Ten
P. 116
“THREE SCORE YEARS AND TEN” MISSIONARY WORK IN CHINA
Amy Moore
Article written by Rev. Roy Seaman who worked with GFA on earthquake relief.
G. F. ANDREW
G. F. Andrew was a man of all-round abilities: administrator, linguist, diplomat. He made
his mark chiefly as Supervisor of Earthquake Relief Work in Kansu during 1921.
The earthquake, which took place on December 16, 1920 was of immense magnitude,
devastating a vast area and causing an estimated 200,000 casualties. Hills were moved over a
large area going through districts like flowing water; leaving an awesome extent of debris.
About December 9, 1920, when a group of us were travelling towards Lanchow, the
capital of the province, we had passed by a small stream, about eighteen inches to two feet
across, and quite shallow. When next we saw it, it was a huge lake extending for miles, having
been damned up by falling hills.
The disaster cut off news from Kansu to the outside world for several weeks. But news
leaked out gradually and became known to a group known as, The International Relief
Committee in Peking, who realized that it was necessary to make a way for the water to recede,
or there would be floods more devastating than the earthquake. Funds were provided, and
G.F.A. was appointed to supervise the work of digging channels for water to escape. According
to my recollection, there were about five diggings, employing altogether about 2,000 men.
G.F.A. had his headquarters at the main digging, which was at the stream which had become a
lake. I was his companion there for some months.
The debris above the water was an estimated height of 200 feet. About half way down, a
complete farmhouse was excavated, with its victims. Eventually the digging was completed, and
the danger of flooding thus averted.
I do not remember a great deal about the events of that period. In those days strings of
cash, grouped together in groups of about 1,000, were used as currency. It took several large
carts to move a days wages to the main digging.
I remember an occasion when G.F.A. was talking to a couple of Chinese helpers, one
remarked to the other, He speaks Chinese. This established him as a linguist.
Once, when returning from a visit to another digging, I learned that, during the night, a
thief had stolen a revolver from under G.F.A.s pillow while he was asleep. Naturally he was
deeply annoyed by this, as there had been a lack of police supervision. In general, however,
G.F.A. had friendly relationships with all classes of people.
In Lanchow, G.F.A. was on good terms with leading officials. As a result of this, the small
community of foreigners were frequently invited to official feasts, including those of the Governor
of the province.
continued on next page . . .
116
Amy Moore
Article written by Rev. Roy Seaman who worked with GFA on earthquake relief.
G. F. ANDREW
G. F. Andrew was a man of all-round abilities: administrator, linguist, diplomat. He made
his mark chiefly as Supervisor of Earthquake Relief Work in Kansu during 1921.
The earthquake, which took place on December 16, 1920 was of immense magnitude,
devastating a vast area and causing an estimated 200,000 casualties. Hills were moved over a
large area going through districts like flowing water; leaving an awesome extent of debris.
About December 9, 1920, when a group of us were travelling towards Lanchow, the
capital of the province, we had passed by a small stream, about eighteen inches to two feet
across, and quite shallow. When next we saw it, it was a huge lake extending for miles, having
been damned up by falling hills.
The disaster cut off news from Kansu to the outside world for several weeks. But news
leaked out gradually and became known to a group known as, The International Relief
Committee in Peking, who realized that it was necessary to make a way for the water to recede,
or there would be floods more devastating than the earthquake. Funds were provided, and
G.F.A. was appointed to supervise the work of digging channels for water to escape. According
to my recollection, there were about five diggings, employing altogether about 2,000 men.
G.F.A. had his headquarters at the main digging, which was at the stream which had become a
lake. I was his companion there for some months.
The debris above the water was an estimated height of 200 feet. About half way down, a
complete farmhouse was excavated, with its victims. Eventually the digging was completed, and
the danger of flooding thus averted.
I do not remember a great deal about the events of that period. In those days strings of
cash, grouped together in groups of about 1,000, were used as currency. It took several large
carts to move a days wages to the main digging.
I remember an occasion when G.F.A. was talking to a couple of Chinese helpers, one
remarked to the other, He speaks Chinese. This established him as a linguist.
Once, when returning from a visit to another digging, I learned that, during the night, a
thief had stolen a revolver from under G.F.A.s pillow while he was asleep. Naturally he was
deeply annoyed by this, as there had been a lack of police supervision. In general, however,
G.F.A. had friendly relationships with all classes of people.
In Lanchow, G.F.A. was on good terms with leading officials. As a result of this, the small
community of foreigners were frequently invited to official feasts, including those of the Governor
of the province.
continued on next page . . .
116
