Further Revelations: 1937 - 1950

F. Fellowship Regarding Migration

In November 1948, Brother Nee called an urgent conference of all the co-workers in Shanghai to pray, fellowship, and seek clear guidance concerning whether we should stay in or leave China. At that time Witness Lee was in Hangchow holding a migration conference with the church there. On the last day of the conference, he received a cable from Brother Nee asking him to return immediately to Shanghai. Upon arriving in Shanghai, he found Watchman Nee eagerly waiting to hold the meetings. In the opening meeting Watchman Nee did not first have fellowship with them; rather, he simply announced that since everyone knew the political situation, Brother Lee must leave the country. He said, “Regardless of whether he likes it or not, he must be asked to go abroad.” It was a serious time. Hardly anyone said a word. There was prayer, and Watchman Nee closed with these words: “Let us bring this matter to the Lord and see how the Lord will lead us.” That was the decision.

Because of the change in the political situation in northern China, Brother Nee fellowshipped with Witness Lee that Chang Wu-cheng, Sen Feng-lu, and Liu Hsiao-liang in Tsingtao should migrate with their families to Taiwan for the spread of the Lord’s recovery. The two of them sent these brothers a cable to that effect.

Fellowship Regarding Witness Lee Being Sent to Taiwan

Following the co-workers’ conference, Watchman Nee still charged Witness Lee to stay in Shanghai to oversee the building of the new meeting hall. In February of the following year, in the opening of the second co-workers’ conference, concerning the matter of staying or leaving, Watchman Nee repeated his announcement of the previous conference to the effect that Witness Lee must leave the country. This time, after some prayer, he announced to all the rest that his feeling was that he and they must stay and prepare themselves to sacrifice everything for the Lord’s work.

It is possible that the enemy will one day wipe us out. If this happens, you will be out of China, and we will still have something left

Following the meeting, while dinner was being prepared, Watchman Nee and Witness Lee took a walk. Witness Lee asked, “Brother, why have you decided that I must leave the country, while you and all the rest stay and sacrifice everything for the Lord’s work? Does this mean that you think I am not worthy?” He explained, “Brother, you must realize that although in this desperate situation we trust in the Lord, it is possible that the enemy will one day wipe us out. If this happens, you will be out of China, and we will still have something left. So you must go.” Witness Lee told him, “If this is the case, I will take your word and go.” Then Watchman Nee asked whether he would go to Hong Kong or Taiwan. Witness Lee answered, “1 have no idea; I haven’t given it a thought. Whatever you say, I will do.” That was all.

At this time Watchman Nee and Witness Lee wrote a letter to Brothers Chao Ching-hwai, Chang Wu-cheng, Sen Feng-lu, Liu Hsiao-liang, and Chang Yu-lan in Taipei, appointing them as elders to fully establish the church there. After this Witness Lee remained on in Shanghai, attempting to finish the building of the new hall, and Watchman Nee went to Foochow to carry out his second training.

Watchman Nee Calls for Witness Lee in 1948

Two months later, Witness Lee received a cable from Watchman Nee at his training center, saying that he must turn over all responsibilities in Shanghai to the local leading ones and come to him immediately. This Witness Lee did. After he arrived in Foochow and stayed in Watchman Nee’s training center for a short time, the situation required Witness Lee to go to Taiwan. This took place in May 1949.

Following his second training, Watchman Nee assigned three of his trainees, one brother and two sisters, to come to Taiwan to help Witness Lee in the Lord’s work. The brother came to Taiwan and, after investigating the situation there, dropped Brother Nee’s assignment. The two sisters, however, came and worked in Taiwan according to Brother Nee’s intention. Watchman Nee wrote Witness Lee a long letter of recommendation regarding them, especially concerning the change in their disposition.