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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Retrospect, by James Hudson Taylor
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: A Retrospect
+
+Author: James Hudson Taylor
+
+Release Date: October 1, 2008 [EBook #26744]
+              updated: December 23, 2021
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A RETROSPECT ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Free Elf, Emmy and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net Music files created
+by Linda Cantoni.(This file was produced from images
+generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian
+Libraries) Full-color map generously provided by The
+Missionary E-texts Archive at
+http://www.missionaryetexts.org
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Signature: J. Hudson Taylor.]
+
+
+
+
+A RETROSPECT
+
+BY
+
+J. HUDSON TAYLOR, M.R.C.S., F.R.G.S.
+
+_Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee._
+
+THIRD EDITION
+
+          TORONTO
+          CHINA INLAND MISSION
+          507 CHURCH STREET
+
+[Illustration: THE "LAMMERMUIR" PARTY. _See page 125._]
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+  CHAP.                                           PAGE
+      I. THE POWER OF PRAYER                         1
+     II. THE CALL TO SERVICE                         7
+    III. PREPARATION FOR SERVICE                    13
+     IV. FURTHER ANSWERS TO PRAYER                  19
+      V. LIFE IN LONDON                             24
+     VI. STRENGTHENED BY FAITH                      30
+    VII. MIGHTY TO SAVE                             35
+   VIII. VOYAGE TO CHINA                            39
+     IX. EARLY MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES               45
+      X. FIRST EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS                 49
+     XI. WITH THE REV. W. C. BURNS                  57
+    XII. THE CALL TO SWATOW                         70
+           "The Missionary Call": Words and Music   75
+   XIII. MAN PROPOSES, GOD DISPOSES                 77
+    XIV. PROVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE                      92
+     XV. SETTLEMENT IN NINGPO                       98
+    XVI. TIMELY SUPPLIES                           105
+   XVII. GOD A REFUGE FOR US                       110
+  XVIII. A NEW AGENCY NEEDED                       116
+    XIX. FORMATION OF THE C. I. M.                 121
+     XX. THE MISSION IN 1894                       126
+         THE MISSION IN 1902                       128
+  STATIONS OF THE C. I. M.                         131
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+                        MAP OF CHINA
+
+  SHOWING THE STATIONS OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION:
+    CORRECTED TO JUNE 1900          _To face page_ 131
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+   1. Portrait of J. Hudson Taylor             _Frontispiece_
+   2. The "Lammermuir" party              _Facing "Contents"_
+                                                         PAGE
+   3. Honorary banner presented to a missionary             1
+   4. A heavy road in North China                           7
+   5. Salt junk on the Yang-tsi                            13
+   6. Travelling by mule cart on "the great plain"         19
+   7. Ch'ung-k'ing, the Yang-tsi, and mountains beyond     24
+   8. Water gate and Custom house, Soo-chow                29
+   9. View on the Kwang-sin River                          30
+  10. Temple and memorial portal                           34
+  11. "Compassionate heart, benevolent methods"            35
+  12. Outside the wall of Gan-k'ing                        38
+  13. The new girls school at Chefoo                       39
+  14. Entrance to the Po-yang lake                         44
+  15. A fair wind, at sunset, on the lake                  45
+  16. A view on the grand canal                            49
+  17. Down the Yang-tsi on a cargo boat                    57
+  18. East gate and sentry box, Bhamô, Burmah              69
+  19. Farmhouse, with buffalo shed attached                70
+  20. A fishing village on the lake near Yünnan Fu         77
+  21. Teng-yueh, the westernmost walled city in China      91
+  22. A small temple near Wun-chau                         92
+  23. Group of Christians at Lan-k'i, Cheh-kiang           97
+  24. A boat on the Red River, Tonquin                     98
+  25. Students' quarters, Gan-k'ing Training Home         104
+  26. A Mandarin's sedan chair                            105
+  27. A presentation banner (a mark of high respect)      110
+  28. View on the Po-yang lake                            116
+  29. A village on the grand canal                        121
+  30. The battlements of Pekin                            126
+  31. Native woodcut of a landscape                       131
+  32. Elder Liu and wife, Kwei-k'i                        136
+
+        The hearty thanks of the Mission for the use of
+          photographs and sketches are hereby tendered to
+          Rev. George Hayes for Nos. 4 and 6; Dr. G.
+          Whitfield Guinness for Nos. 8, 12, 16, 25, and 28;
+          Miss Davies for No. 23; Mr. Thomas Selkirk for
+          Nos. 18 and 21; Mr. J. T. Reid for Nos. 14, 15,
+          and 27; Mr. J. S. Rough for No. 30; Mr. Grainger
+          for No. 19; Mr. E. Murray for No. 13, and also to
+          other friends unknown by name.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE POWER OF PRAYER
+
+
+THE following account of some of the experiences which eventually led to
+the formation of the CHINA INLAND MISSION, and to its taking the form in
+which it has been developed, first appeared in the pages of _China's
+Millions_. Many of those who read it there asked that it might appear in
+separate form. Miss Guinness incorporated it in the _Story of the China
+Inland Mission_, a record which contained the account of GOD'S goodness
+to the beginning of 1894. But friends still asking for it in pamphlet
+form, for wider distribution, this edition is brought out.
+
+Much of the material was taken from notes of addresses given in China
+during a conference of our missionaries; this will account for the
+direct and narrative form of the papers, which it has not been thought
+necessary to change.
+
+It is always helpful to us to fix our attention on the GOD-ward aspect
+of Christian work; to realise that the work of GOD does not mean so much
+man's work for GOD, as GOD'S own work through man. Furthermore, in our
+privileged position of fellow-workers with Him, while fully recognising
+all the benefits and blessings to be bestowed on a sin-stricken world
+through the proclamation of the Gospel and spread of the Truth, we
+should never lose sight of the higher aspect of our work--that of
+obedience to GOD, of bringing glory to His Name, of gladdening the
+heart of our GOD and FATHER by living and serving as His beloved
+children.
+
+Many circumstances connected with my own early life and service
+presented this aspect of work vividly to me; and as I think of some of
+them, I am reminded of how much the cause of missions is indebted to
+many who are never themselves permitted to see the mission field--many,
+it may be, who are unable to give largely of their substance, and who
+will be not a little surprised in the Great Day to see how much the work
+has been advanced by their love, their sympathy, and their prayers.
+
+For myself, and for the work that I have been permitted to do for GOD, I
+owe an unspeakable debt of gratitude to my beloved and honoured parents,
+who have passed away and entered into rest, but the influence of whose
+lives will never pass away.
+
+Many years ago, probably about 1830, the heart of my dear father, then
+himself an earnest and successful evangelist at home, was deeply stirred
+as to the spiritual state of China by reading several books, and
+especially an account of the travels of Captain Basil Hall. His
+circumstances were such as to preclude the hope of his ever going to
+China for personal service, but he was led to pray that if GOD should
+give him a son, he might be called and privileged to labour in the vast
+needy empire which was then apparently so sealed against the truth. I
+was not aware of this desire or prayer myself until my return to
+England, more than seven years after I had sailed for China; but it was
+very interesting then to know how prayer offered before my birth had
+been answered in this matter.
+
+All thought of my becoming a missionary was abandoned for many years by
+my dear parents on account of the feebleness of my health. When the
+time came, however, GOD gave increased health, and my life has been
+spared, and strength has been given for not a little toilsome service
+both in the mission field and at home, while many stronger men and women
+have succumbed.
+
+I had many opportunities in early years of learning the value of prayer
+and of the Word of GOD; for it was the delight of my dear parents to
+point out that if there were any such Being as GOD, to trust Him, to
+obey Him, and to be fully given up to His service, must of necessity be
+the best and wisest course both for myself and others. But in spite of
+these helpful examples and precepts my heart was unchanged. Often I had
+tried to make myself a Christian; and failing of course in such efforts,
+I began at last to think that for some reason or other I could not be
+saved, and that the best I could do was to take my fill of this world,
+as there was no hope for me beyond the grave.
+
+While in this state of mind I came in contact with persons holding
+sceptical and infidel views, and accepted their teaching, only too
+thankful for some hope of escape from the doom which, if my parents were
+right and the Bible true, awaited the impenitent. It may seem strange to
+say it, but I have often felt thankful for the experience of this time
+of scepticism. The inconsistencies of Christian people, who while
+professing to believe their Bibles were yet content to live just as they
+would if there were no such book, had been one of the strongest
+arguments of my sceptical companions; and I frequently felt at that
+time, and said, that if I pretended to believe the Bible I would at any
+rate attempt to live by it, putting it fairly to the test, and if it
+failed to prove true and reliable, would throw it overboard altogether.
+These views I retained when the LORD was pleased to bring me to
+Himself; and I think I may say that since then I _have_ put GOD'S Word
+to the test. Certainly it has never failed me. I have never had reason
+to regret the confidence I have placed in its promises, or to deplore
+following the guidance I have found in its directions.
+
+Let me tell you how GOD answered the prayers of my dear mother and of my
+beloved sister, now Mrs. Broomhall, for my conversion. On a day which I
+shall never forget, when I was about fifteen years of age, my dear
+mother being absent from home, I had a holiday, and in the afternoon
+looked through my father's library to find some book with which to while
+away the unoccupied hours. Nothing attracting me, I turned over a little
+basket of pamphlets, and selected from amongst them a Gospel tract which
+looked interesting, saying to myself, "There will be a story at the
+commencement, and a sermon or moral at the close: I will take the former
+and leave the latter for those who like it."
+
+I sat down to read the little book in an utterly unconcerned state of
+mind, believing indeed at the time that if there were any salvation it
+was not for me, and with a distinct intention to put away the tract as
+soon as it should seem prosy. I may say that it was not uncommon in
+those days to call conversion "becoming serious"; and judging by the
+faces of some of its professors, it appeared to be a very serious matter
+indeed. Would it not be well if the people of GOD had always tell-tale
+faces, evincing the blessings and gladness of salvation so clearly that
+unconverted people might have to call conversion "becoming joyful"
+instead of "becoming serious"?
+
+Little did I know at the time what was going on in the heart of my dear
+mother, seventy or eighty miles away. She rose from the dinner-table
+that afternoon with an intense yearning for the conversion of her boy,
+and feeling that--absent from home, and having more leisure than she
+could otherwise secure--a special opportunity was afforded her of
+pleading with GOD on my behalf. She went to her room and turned the key
+in the door, resolved not to leave that spot until her prayers were
+answered. Hour after hour did that dear mother plead for me, until at
+length she could pray no longer, but was constrained to praise GOD for
+that which His SPIRIT taught her had already been accomplished--the
+conversion of her only son.
+
+I in the meantime had been led in the way I have mentioned to take up
+this little tract, and while reading it was struck with the sentence,
+"The finished work of CHRIST." The thought passed through my mind, "Why
+does the author use this expression? why not say the atoning or
+propitiatory work of CHRIST?" Immediately the words "It is finished"
+suggested themselves to my mind. What was finished? And I at once
+replied, "A full and perfect atonement and satisfaction for sin: the
+debt was paid by the Substitute; CHRIST died for our sins, and not for
+ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Then came the
+thought, "If the whole work was finished and the whole debt paid, what
+is there left for me to do?" And with this dawned the joyful conviction,
+as light was flashed into my soul by the HOLY SPIRIT, that there was
+nothing in the world to be done but to fall down on one's knees, and
+accepting this SAVIOUR and His salvation, to praise Him for evermore.
+Thus while my dear mother was praising GOD on her knees in her chamber,
+I was praising Him in the old warehouse to which I had gone alone to
+read at my leisure this little book.
+
+Several days elapsed ere I ventured to make my beloved sister the
+confidante of my joy, and then only after she had promised not to tell
+any one of my soul secret. When our dear mother came home a fortnight
+later, I was the first to meet her at the door, and to tell her I had
+such glad news to give. I can almost feel that dear mother's arms around
+my neck, as she pressed me to her bosom and said, "I know, my boy; I
+have been rejoicing for a fortnight in the glad tidings you have to tell
+me." "Why," I asked in surprise, "has Amelia broken her promise? She
+said she would tell no one." My dear mother assured me that it was not
+from any human source that she had learned the tidings, and went on to
+tell the little incident mentioned above. You will agree with me that it
+would be strange indeed if I were not a believer in the power of prayer.
+
+Nor was this all. Some little time after, I picked up a pocket-book
+exactly like one of my own, and thinking that it was mine, opened it.
+The lines that caught my eye were an entry in the little diary, which
+belonged to my sister, to the effect that she would give herself daily
+to prayer until GOD should answer in the conversion of her brother.
+Exactly one month later the LORD was pleased to turn me from darkness to
+light.
+
+Brought up in such a circle and saved under such circumstances, it was
+perhaps natural that from the commencement of my Christian life I was
+led to feel that the promises were very real, and that prayer was in
+sober matter of fact transacting business with GOD, whether on one's own
+behalf or on behalf of those for whom one sought His blessing.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE CALL TO SERVICE
+
+
+THE first joys of conversion passed away after a time, and were
+succeeded by a period of painful deadness of soul, with much conflict.
+But this also came to an end, leaving a deepened sense of personal
+weakness and dependence on the LORD as the only KEEPER as well as
+SAVIOUR of His people. How sweet to the soul, wearied and disappointed
+in its struggles with sin, is the calm repose of trust in the SHEPHERD
+of Israel.
+
+Not many months after my conversion, having a leisure afternoon, I
+retired to my own chamber to spend it largely in communion with GOD.
+Well do I remember that occasion. How in the gladness of my heart I
+poured out my soul before GOD; and again and again confessing my
+grateful love to Him who had done everything for me--who had saved me
+when I had given up all hope and even desire for salvation--I besought
+Him to give me some work to do for Him, as an outlet for love and
+gratitude; some self-denying service, no matter what it might be,
+however trying or however trivial; something with which He would be
+pleased, and that I might do for Him who had done so much for me. Well
+do I remember, as in unreserved consecration I put myself, my life, my
+friends, my all, upon the altar, the deep solemnity that came over my
+soul with the assurance that my offering was accepted. The presence of
+GOD became unutterably real and blessed; and though but a child under
+sixteen, I remember stretching myself on the ground, and lying there
+silent before Him with unspeakable awe and unspeakable joy.
+
+For what service I was accepted I knew not; but a deep consciousness
+that I was no longer my own took possession of me, which has never since
+been effaced. It has been a very practical consciousness. Two or three
+years later propositions of an unusually favourable nature were made to
+me with regard to medical study, on the condition of my becoming
+apprenticed to the medical man who was my friend and teacher. But I felt
+I dared not accept any binding engagement such as was suggested. I was
+not my own to give myself away; for I knew not when or how He whose
+alone I was, and for whose disposal I felt I must ever keep myself free,
+might call for service.
+
+Within a few months of this time of consecration the impression was
+wrought into my soul that it was in China the LORD wanted me. It seemed
+to me highly probable that the work to which I was thus called might
+cost my life; for China was not then open as it is now. But few
+missionary societies had at that time workers in China, and but few
+books on the subject of China missions were accessible to me. I learned,
+however, that the Congregational minister of my native town possessed a
+copy of Medhurst's _China_, and I called upon him to ask a loan of the
+book. This he kindly granted, asking me why I wished to read it. I told
+him that GOD had called me to spend my life in missionary service in
+that land. "And how do you propose to go there?" he inquired. I answered
+that I did not at all know; that it seemed to me probable that I should
+need to do as the Twelve and the Seventy had done in Judæa--go without
+purse or scrip, relying on Him who had called me to supply all my need.
+Kindly placing his hand upon my shoulder, the minister replied, "Ah, my
+boy, as you grow older you will get wiser than that. Such an idea would
+do very well in the days when CHRIST Himself was on earth, but not now."
+
+I have grown older since then, but not wiser. I am more than ever
+convinced that if we were to take the directions of our MASTER and the
+assurances He gave to His first disciples more fully as our guide, we
+should find them to be just as suited to our times as to those in which
+they were originally given.
+
+Medhurst's book on China emphasised the value of medical missions there,
+and this directed my attention to medical studies as a valuable mode of
+preparation.
+
+My beloved parents neither discouraged nor encouraged my desire to
+engage in missionary work. They advised me, with such convictions, to
+use all the means in my power to develop the resources of body, mind,
+heart, and soul, and to wait prayerfully upon GOD, quite willing, should
+He show me that I was mistaken, to follow His guidance, or to go forward
+if in due time He should open the way to missionary service. The
+importance of this advice I have often since had occasion to prove. I
+began to take more exercise in the open air to strengthen my physique.
+My feather bed I had taken away, and sought to dispense with as many
+other home comforts as I could, in order to prepare myself for rougher
+lines of life. I began also to do what Christian work was in my power,
+in the way of tract distribution, Sunday-school teaching, and visiting
+the poor and sick, as opportunity afforded.
+
+After a time of preparatory study at home, I went to Hull for medical
+and surgical training. There I became assistant to a doctor who was
+connected with the Hull school of medicine, and was surgeon also to a
+number of factories, which brought many accident cases to our
+dispensary, and gave me the opportunity of seeing and practising the
+minor operations of surgery.
+
+And here an event took place that I must not omit to mention. Before
+leaving home my attention was drawn to the subject of setting apart the
+firstfruits of all one's increase and a proportionate part of one's
+possessions to the LORD'S service. I thought it well to study the
+question with my Bible in hand before I went away from home, and was
+placed in circumstances which might bias my conclusions by the pressure
+of surrounding wants and cares. I was thus led to the determination to
+set apart not less than one-tenth of whatever moneys I might earn or
+become possessed of for the LORD'S service. The salary I received as
+medical assistant in Hull at the time now referred to would have allowed
+me with ease to do this. But owing to changes in the family of my kind
+friend and employer, it was necessary for me to reside out of doors.
+Comfortable quarters were secured with a relative, and in addition to
+the sum determined on as remuneration for my services I received the
+exact amount I had to pay for board and lodging.
+
+Now arose in my mind the question, Ought not this sum also to be tithed?
+It was surely a part of my income, and I felt that if it had been a
+question of Government income tax it certainly would not have been
+excluded. On the other hand, to take a tithe from the whole would not
+leave me sufficient for other purposes; and for some little time I was
+much embarrassed to know what to do. After much thought and prayer I was
+led to leave the comfortable quarters and happy circle in which I was
+now residing, and to engage a little lodging in the suburbs--a
+sitting-room and bedroom in one--undertaking to board myself. In this
+way I was able without difficulty to tithe the whole of my income; and
+while I felt the change a good deal, it was attended with no small
+blessing.
+
+More time was given in my solitude to the study of the Word of GOD, to
+visiting the poor, and to evangelistic work on summer evenings than
+would otherwise have been the case. Brought into contact in this way
+with many who were in distress, I soon saw the privilege of still
+further economising, and found it not difficult to give away much more
+than the proportion of my income I had at first intended.
+
+About this time a friend drew my attention to the question of the
+personal and pre-millennial coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and gave me
+a list of passages bearing upon it, without note or comment, advising me
+to ponder the subject. For a while I gave much time to studying the
+Scriptures about it, with the result that I was led to see that this
+same JESUS who left our earth in His resurrection body was so to come
+again, that His feet were to stand on the Mount of Olives, and that He
+was to take possession of the temporal throne of His father David which
+was promised before His birth. I saw, further, that all through the New
+Testament the coming of the LORD was the great hope of His people, and
+was always appealed to as the strongest motive for consecration and
+service, and as the greatest comfort in trial and affliction. I learned,
+too, that the period of His return for His people was not revealed, and
+that it was their privilege, from day to day and from hour to hour, to
+live as men who wait for the LORD; that thus living it was immaterial,
+so to speak, whether He should or should not come at any particular
+hour, the important thing being to be so ready for Him as to be able,
+whenever He might appear, to give an account of one's stewardship with
+joy, and not with grief.
+
+The effect of this blessed hope was a thoroughly practical one. It led
+me to look carefully through my little library to see if there were any
+books there that were not needed or likely to be of further service, and
+to examine my small wardrobe, to be quite sure that it contained nothing
+that I should be sorry to give an account of should the MASTER come at
+once. The result was that the library was considerably diminished, to
+the benefit of some poor neighbours, and to the far greater benefit of
+my own and that I found I had articles of clothing also which might be
+put to better advantage in other directions.
+
+It has been very helpful to me from time to time through life, as
+occasion has served, to act again in a similar way; and I have never
+gone through my house, from basement to attic, with this object in view,
+without receiving a great accession of spiritual joy and blessing. I
+believe we are all in danger of accumulating--it may be from
+thoughtlessness, or from pressure of occupation--things which would be
+useful to others, while not needed by ourselves, and the retention of
+which entails loss of blessing. If the whole resources of the Church of
+GOD were well utilised, how much more might be accomplished! How many
+poor might be fed and naked clothed, and to how many of those as yet
+unreached the Gospel might be carried! Let me advise this line of things
+as a constant habit of mind, and a profitable course to be practically
+adopted whenever circumstances permit.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+PREPARATION FOR SERVICE
+
+
+HAVING now the twofold object in view of accustoming myself to endure
+hardness, and of economising in order to be able more largely to assist
+those amongst whom I spent a good deal of time labouring in the Gospel,
+I soon found that I could live upon very much less than I had previously
+thought possible. Butter, milk, and other such luxuries I soon ceased to
+use; and I found that by living mainly on oatmeal and rice, with
+occasional variations, a very small sum was sufficient for my needs. In
+this way I had more than two-thirds of my income available for other
+purposes; and my experience was that the less I spent on myself and the
+more I gave away, the fuller of happiness and blessing did my soul
+become. Unspeakable joy all the day long, and every day, was my happy
+experience. GOD, even my GOD, was a living, bright Reality; and all I
+had to do was joyful service.
+
+It was to me a very grave matter, however, to contemplate going out to
+China, far away from all human aid, there to depend upon the living GOD
+alone for protection, supplies, and help of every kind. I felt that
+one's spiritual muscles required strengthening for such an undertaking.
+There was no doubt that if faith did not fail, GOD would not fail; but,
+then, what if one's faith should prove insufficient? I had not at that
+time learned that even "if we believe not, He abideth faithful, He
+cannot deny Himself"; and it was consequently a very serious question to
+my mind, not whether _He_ was faithful, but whether I had strong enough
+faith to warrant my embarking in the enterprise set before me.
+
+I thought to myself, "When I get out to China, I shall have no claim on
+any one for anything; my only claim will be on GOD. How important,
+therefore, to learn before leaving England to move man, through GOD, by
+prayer alone."
+
+At Hull my kind employer, always busily occupied, wished me to remind
+him whenever my salary became due. This I determined not to do directly,
+but to ask that GOD would bring the fact to his recollection, and thus
+encourage me by answering prayer. At one time, as the day drew near for
+the payment of a quarter's salary, I was as usual much in prayer about
+it. The time arrived, but my kind friend made no allusion to the matter.
+I continued praying, and days passed on, but he did not remember, until
+at length, on settling up my weekly accounts one Saturday night, I found
+myself possessed of only a single coin--one half-crown piece. Still I
+had hitherto had no lack, and I continued in prayer.
+
+That Sunday was a very happy one. As usual my heart was full and
+brimming over with blessing. After attending Divine service in the
+morning, my afternoons and evenings were filled with Gospel work, in the
+various lodging-houses I was accustomed to visit in the lowest part of
+the town. At such times it almost seemed to me as if heaven were begun
+below, and that all that could be looked for was an enlargement of one's
+capacity for joy, not a truer filling than I possessed. After concluding
+my last service about ten o'clock that night, a poor man asked me to go
+and pray with his wife, saying that she was dying. I readily agreed, and
+on the way to his house asked him why he had not sent for the priest, as
+his accent told me he was an Irishman. He had done so, he said, but the
+priest refused to come without a payment of eighteenpence, which the man
+did not possess, as the family was starving. Immediately it occurred to
+my mind that all the money I had in the world was the solitary
+half-crown, and that it was in one coin; moreover, that while the basin
+of water gruel I usually took for supper was awaiting me, and there was
+sufficient in the house for breakfast in the morning, I certainly had
+nothing for dinner on the coming day.
+
+Somehow or other there was at once a stoppage in the flow of joy in my
+heart; but instead of reproving myself I began to reprove the poor man,
+telling him that it was very wrong to have allowed matters to get into
+such a state as he described, and that he ought to have applied to the
+relieving officer. His answer was that he had done so, and was told to
+come at eleven o'clock the next morning, but that he feared that his
+wife might not live through the night. "Ah," thought I, "if only I had
+two shillings and a sixpence instead of this half-crown, how gladly
+would I give these poor people one shilling of it!" But to part with the
+half-crown was far from my thoughts. I little dreamed that the real
+truth of the matter simply was that I could trust in GOD plus
+one-and-sixpence, but was not yet prepared to trust Him only, without
+any money at all in my pocket.
+
+My conductor led me into a court, down which I followed him with some
+degree of nervousness. I had found myself there before, and at my last
+visit had been very roughly handled, while my tracts were torn to
+pieces, and I received such a warning not to come again that I felt
+more than a little concerned. Still, it was the path of duty, and I
+followed on. Up a miserable flight of stairs, into a wretched room, he
+led me; and oh what a sight there presented itself to our eyes! Four or
+five poor children stood about, their sunken cheeks and temples all
+telling unmistakably the story of slow starvation; and lying on a
+wretched pallet was a poor exhausted mother, with a tiny infant
+thirty-six hours old, moaning rather than crying at her side, for it too
+seemed spent and failing. "Ah!" thought I, "if I had two shillings and a
+sixpence instead of half-a-crown, how gladly should they have
+one-and-sixpence of it!" But still a wretched unbelief prevented me from
+obeying the impulse to relieve their distress at the cost of all I
+possessed.
+
+It will scarcely seem strange that I was unable to say much to comfort
+these poor people. I needed comfort myself. I began to tell them,
+however, that they must not be cast down, that though their
+circumstances were very distressing, there was a kind and loving FATHER
+in heaven; but something within me said, "You hypocrite! telling these
+unconverted people about a kind and loving FATHER in heaven, and not
+prepared yourself to trust Him without half-a-crown!" I was nearly
+choked. How gladly would I have compromised with conscience if I had had
+a florin and a sixpence! I would have given the florin thankfully and
+kept the rest; but I was not yet prepared to trust in GOD alone, without
+the sixpence.
+
+To talk was impossible under these circumstances; yet, strange to say, I
+thought I should have no difficulty in praying. Prayer was a delightful
+occupation to me in those days; time thus spent never seemed wearisome,
+and I knew nothing of lack of words. I seemed to think that all I should
+have to do would be to kneel down and engage in prayer, and that relief
+would come to them and to myself together. "You asked me to come and
+pray with your wife," I said to the man, "let us pray." And I knelt
+down. But scarcely had I opened my lips with "Our FATHER who art in
+heaven" than conscience said within, "Dare you mock GOD? Dare you kneel
+down and call Him FATHER with that half-crown in your pocket?" Such a
+time of conflict came upon me then as I have never experienced before or
+since. How I got through that form of prayer I know not, and whether the
+words uttered were connected or disconnected I cannot tell; but I arose
+from my knees in great distress of mind.
+
+The poor father turned to me and said, "You see what a terrible state we
+are in, sir; if you can help us, for GOD'S sake do!" Just then the word
+flashed into my mind, "Give to him that asketh of thee," and in the word
+of a KING there is power. I put my hand into my pocket, and slowly
+drawing forth the half-crown, gave it to the man, telling him that it
+might seem a small matter for me to relieve them, seeing that I was
+comparatively well off, but that in parting with that coin I was giving
+him my all; what I had been trying to tell him was indeed true--GOD
+really was a FATHER, and might be trusted. The joy all came back in full
+flood-tide to my heart; I could say anything and feel it then, and the
+hindrance to blessing was gone--gone, I trust, for ever.
+
+Not only was the poor woman's life saved, but I realised that my life
+was saved too! It might have been a wreck--would have been a wreck
+probably, as a Christian life--had not grace at that time conquered, and
+the striving of GOD'S SPIRIT been obeyed. I well remember how that
+night, as I went home to my lodgings, my heart was as light as my
+pocket. The lonely, deserted streets resounded with a hymn of praise
+which I could not restrain. When I took my basin of gruel before
+retiring, I would not have exchanged it for a prince's feast. I
+reminded the LORD as I knelt at my bedside of His own Word, that he who
+giveth to the poor lendeth to the LORD: I asked Him not to let my loan
+be a long one, or I should have no dinner next day; and with peace
+within and peace without, I spent a happy, restful night.
+
+Next morning for breakfast my plate of porridge remained, and before it
+was consumed the postman's knock was heard at the door. I was not in the
+habit of receiving letters on Monday, as my parents and most of my
+friends refrained from posting on Saturday; so that I was somewhat
+surprised when the landlady came in holding a letter or packet in her
+wet hand covered by her apron. I looked at the letter, but could not
+make out the handwriting. It was either a strange hand or a feigned one,
+and the postmark was blurred. Where it came from I could not tell. On
+opening the envelope I found nothing written within; but inside a sheet
+of blank paper was folded a pair of kid gloves, from which, as I opened
+them in astonishment, half-a-sovereign fell to the ground. "Praise the
+LORD!" I exclaimed; "400 per cent for twelve hours investment; that is
+good interest. How glad the merchants of Hull would be if they could
+lend their money at such a rate!" I then and there determined that a
+bank which could not break should have my savings or earnings as the
+case might be--a determination I have not yet learned to regret.
+
+I cannot tell you how often my mind has recurred to this incident, or
+all the help it has been to me in circumstances of difficulty in
+after-life. If we are faithful to GOD in little things, we shall gain
+experience and strength that will be helpful to us in the more serious
+trials of life.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+FURTHER ANSWERS TO PRAYER
+
+
+THE remarkable and gracious deliverance I have spoken of, was a great
+joy to me, as well as a strong confirmation of faith; but of course ten
+shillings, however economically used, will not go very far, and it was
+none the less necessary to continue in prayer, asking that the larger
+supply which was still due might be remembered and paid. All my
+petitions, however, appeared to remain unanswered; and before a
+fortnight had elapsed I found myself pretty much in the same position
+that I had occupied on the Sunday night already made so memorable.
+Meanwhile, I continued pleading with GOD, more and more earnestly, that
+He would graciously remind my employer that my salary was overdue. Of
+course it was not the want of the money that distressed me--that could
+have been had at any time for the asking--but the question uppermost in
+my mind was this: "Can I go to China? or will my want of faith and power
+with GOD prove to be so serious an obstacle as to preclude my entering
+upon this much-prized service?"
+
+As the week drew to a close I felt exceedingly embarrassed. There was
+not only myself to consider; on Saturday night a payment would be due to
+my Christian landlady which I knew she could not well dispense with.
+Ought I not, for her sake, to speak about the matter of the salary? Yet
+to do so would be, to myself at any rate, the admission that I was not
+fitted to undertake a missionary enterprise. I gave nearly the whole of
+Thursday and Friday--all the time not occupied in my necessary
+employment--to earnest wrestling with GOD in prayer. But still on
+Saturday morning I was in the same position as before. And now my
+earnest cry was for guidance as to whether it was my duty to break
+silence and speak to my employer, or whether I should still continue to
+wait the FATHER's time. As far as I could judge, I received the
+assurance that to wait His time was best; and that GOD in some way or
+other would interpose on my behalf. So I waited, my heart being now at
+rest and the burden gone.
+
+About five o'clock that Saturday afternoon, when the doctor had finished
+writing his prescriptions, his last circuit for the day being taken, he
+threw himself back in his arm-chair, as he was wont, and began to speak
+of the things of GOD. He was a truly Christian man, and many seasons of
+very happy spiritual fellowship we had together. I was busily watching,
+at the time, a pan in which a decoction was boiling that required a good
+deal of attention. It was indeed fortunate for me that it was so, for
+without any obvious connection with what had been going on, all at once
+he said, "By-the-bye, Taylor, is not your salary due again?" My emotion
+may be imagined! I had to swallow two or three times before I could
+answer. With my eye fixed on the pan and my back to the doctor, I told
+him as quietly as I could that it was overdue some little time. How
+thankful I felt at that moment! GOD surely had heard my prayer, and
+caused him, in this time of my great need, to remember the salary
+without any word or suggestion from me. He replied, "Oh, I am so sorry
+you did not remind me! You know how busy I am; I wish I had thought of
+it a little sooner, for only this afternoon I sent all the money I had
+to the bank, otherwise I would pay you at once." It is impossible to
+describe the revulsion of feeling caused by this unexpected statement. I
+knew not what to do. Fortunately for me my pan boiled up, and I had a
+good reason for rushing with it from the room. Glad indeed I was to get
+away, and keep out of sight until after the doctor had returned to his
+house, and most thankful that he had not perceived my emotion.
+
+As soon as he was gone I had to seek my little sanctum, and pour out my
+heart before the LORD for some time, before calmness--and more than
+calmness--thankfulness, and joy were restored to me. I felt that GOD had
+His own way, and was not going to fail me. I had sought to know His will
+early in the day, and as far as I could judge had received guidance to
+wait patiently; and now GOD was going to work for me in some other way.
+
+That evening was spent, as my Saturday evenings usually were, in reading
+the Word and preparing the subjects on which I expected to speak in the
+various lodging-houses on the morrow. I waited, perhaps, a little longer
+than usual. At last, about ten o'clock, there being no interruption of
+any kind, I put on my overcoat, and was preparing to leave for home,
+rather thankful to know that by that time I should have to let myself in
+with the latch-key, as my landlady retired early to rest. There was
+certainly no help for that night; but perhaps GOD would interpose for me
+by Monday, and I might be able to pay my landlady early in the week the
+money I would have given her before, had it been possible.
+
+Just as I was preparing to turn down the gas, I heard the doctor's step
+in the garden which lay between the dwelling-house and surgery. He was
+laughing to himself very heartily, as though greatly amused by
+something. Entering the surgery, he asked for the ledger, and told me
+that, strange to say, one of his richest patients had just come to pay
+his doctor's bill--was it not an odd thing to do? It never struck me
+that it might have any bearing on my own particular case, or I might
+have felt embarrassed; but looking at it simply from the position of an
+uninterested spectator, I also was highly amused that a man who was
+rolling in wealth should come after ten o'clock at night to pay a
+doctor's bill, which he could any day have met by a cheque with the
+greatest ease. It appeared that somehow or other he could not rest with
+this on his mind, and had been constrained to come at that unusual hour
+to discharge his liability.
+
+The account was duly receipted in the ledger, and the doctor was about
+to leave, when suddenly he turned, and handing me some of the bank notes
+just received, said, to my surprise and thankfulness, "By the way,
+Taylor, you might as well take these notes; I have not any change, but
+can give you the balance next week." Again I was left--my feelings
+undiscovered--to go back to my own little closet and praise the LORD
+with a joyful heart that after all I might go to China.
+
+To me this incident was not a trivial one; and to recall it sometimes,
+in circumstances of great difficulty, in China or elsewhere, has proved
+no small comfort and strength.
+
+By-and-by the time drew near when it was thought desirable that I should
+leave Hull to attend the medical course of the London Hospital. A little
+while spent there, and then I had every reason to believe that my
+life-work in China would commence. But much as I had rejoiced at the
+willingness of GOD to hear and answer prayer and to help His
+half-trusting, half-timid child, I felt that I could not go to China
+without having still further developed and tested my power to rest upon
+His faithfulness; and a marked opportunity for doing so was
+providentially afforded me.
+
+My dear father had offered to bear all the expense of my stay in London.
+I knew, however, that, owing to recent losses, it would mean a
+considerable sacrifice for him to undertake this just when it seemed
+necessary for me to go forward. I had recently become acquainted with
+the Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society, in connection with
+which I ultimately left for China, and especially with its secretary, my
+esteemed and much-loved friend Mr. George Pearse, then of the Stock
+Exchange, but now[1] and for many years himself a missionary. Not
+knowing of my father's proposition, the Committee also kindly offered to
+bear my expenses while in London. When these proposals were first made
+to me, I was not quite clear as to what I ought to do, and in writing to
+my father and the secretaries, told them that I would take a few days to
+pray about the matter before deciding any course of action. I mentioned
+to my father that I had had this offer from the Society, and told the
+secretaries also of his proffered aid.
+
+Subsequently, while waiting upon GOD in prayer for guidance, it became
+clear to my mind that I could without difficulty decline both offers.
+The secretaries of the Society would not know that I had cast myself
+wholly on GOD for supplies, and my father would conclude that I had
+accepted the other offer. I therefore wrote declining both propositions,
+and felt that without any one having either care or anxiety on my
+account I was simply in the hands of GOD, and that He, who knew my
+heart, if He wished to encourage me to go to China, would bless my
+effort to depend upon Him alone at home.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+FOOTNOTE:
+
+[1] Since the above was written Mr. George Pearse has died.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+LIFE IN LONDON
+
+
+I MUST not now attempt to detail the ways in which the LORD was
+pleased--often to my surprise, as well as to my delight--to help me from
+time to time. I soon found that it was not possible to live quite as
+economically in London as in Hull. To lessen expenses I shared a room
+with a cousin, four miles from the hospital, providing myself with
+board; and after various experiments I found that the most economical
+way was to live almost exclusively on brown bread and water. Thus I was
+able to make the means that GOD gave me last as long as possible. Some
+of my expenses I could not diminish, but my board was largely within my
+own control. A large twopenny loaf of brown bread, purchased daily on my
+long walk from the hospital, furnished me with supper and breakfast; and
+on that diet, with a few apples for lunch, I managed to walk eight or
+nine miles a day, besides being a good deal on foot while attending the
+practice of the hospital and the medical school.
+
+One incident that occurred just about this time I must refer to. The
+husband of my former landlady in Hull was chief officer of a ship that
+sailed from London, and by receiving his half-pay monthly and remitting
+it to her I was able to save her the cost of a commission. This I had
+been doing for several months, when she wrote requesting that I would
+obtain the next payment as early as possible, as her rent was almost
+due, and she depended upon that sum to meet it. The request came at an
+inconvenient time. I was working hard for an examination in the hope of
+obtaining a scholarship which would be of service to me, and felt that I
+could ill afford the time to go during the busiest part of the day to
+the city and procure the money. I had, however, sufficient of my own in
+hand to enable me to send the required sum. I made the remittance
+therefore, purposing, as soon as the examination was over, to go and
+draw the regular allowance with which to refund myself.
+
+Before the time of examination the medical school was closed for a day,
+on account of the funeral of the Duke of Wellington, and I had an
+opportunity of going at once to the office, which was situated in a
+street on Cheapside, and applying for the due amount. To my surprise and
+dismay the cleric told me that he could not pay it, as the officer in
+question had run away from his ship and gone to the gold diggings.
+"Well," I remarked, "that is very inconvenient for me, as I have already
+advanced the money, and I know his wife will have no means of repaying
+it." The clerk said he was sorry, but could of course only act according
+to orders; so there was no help for me in that direction. A little more
+time and thought, however, brought the comforting conclusion to my mind,
+that as I was depending on the LORD for everything, and His means were
+not limited, it was a small matter to be brought a little sooner or
+later into the position of needing fresh supplies from Him; and so the
+joy and the peace were not long interfered with.
+
+Very soon after this, possibly the same evening, while sewing together
+some sheets of paper on which to take notes of the lectures, I
+accidentally pricked the first finger of my right hand, and in a few
+moments forgot all about it. The next day at the hospital I continued
+dissecting as before. The body was that of a person who had died of
+fever, and was more than usually disagreeable and dangerous. I need
+scarcely say that those of us who were at work upon it dissected with
+special care, knowing that the slightest scratch might cost us our
+lives. Before the morning was far advanced I began to feel very weary,
+and while going through the surgical wards at noon was obliged to run
+out, being suddenly very sick--a most unusual circumstance with me, as I
+took but little food and nothing that could disagree with me. After
+feeling faint for some time, a draught of cold water revived me, and I
+was able to rejoin the students. I became more and more unwell, however,
+and ere the afternoon lecture on surgery was over found it impossible to
+hold the pencil and continue taking notes. By the time the next lecture
+was through, my whole arm and right side were full of severe pain, and I
+was both looking and feeling very ill.
+
+Finding that I could not resume work, I went into the dissecting-room to
+bind up the portion I was engaged upon and put away my apparatus, and
+said to the demonstrator, who was a very skilful surgeon, "I cannot
+think what has come over me," describing the symptoms. "Why," said he,
+"what has happened is clear enough: you must have cut yourself in
+dissecting, and you know that this is a case of malignant fever." I
+assured him that I had been most careful, and was quite certain that I
+had no cut or scratch. "Well," he replied, "you certainly must have had
+one;" and he very closely scrutinised my hand to find it, but in vain.
+All at once it occurred to me that I had pricked my finger the night
+before, and I asked him if it were possible that a prick from a needle,
+at that time, could have been still unclosed. His opinion was that this
+was probably the cause of the trouble, and he advised me to get a
+hansom, drive home as fast as I could, and arrange my affairs forthwith.
+"For," he said, "you are a dead man."
+
+My first thought was one of sorrow that I could not go to China; but
+very soon came the feeling, "Unless I am greatly mistaken, I have work
+to do in China, and shall not die." I was glad, however, to take the
+opportunity of speaking to my medical friend, who was a confirmed
+sceptic as to things spiritual, of the joy that the prospect of perhaps
+soon being with my MASTER gave me; telling him at the same time that I
+did not think I should die, as, unless I were much mistaken, I had work
+to do in China; and if so, however severe the struggle, I must be
+brought through. "That is all very well," he answered, "but you get a
+hansom and drive home as fast as you can. You have no time to lose, for
+you will soon be incapable of winding up your affairs."
+
+I smiled a little at the idea of my driving home in a hansom, for by
+this time my means were too exhausted to allow of such a proceeding, and
+I set out to walk the distance if possible. Before long, however, my
+strength gave way, and I felt it was no use to attempt to reach home by
+walking. Availing myself of an omnibus from Whitechapel Church to
+Farringdon Street, and another from Farringdon Street onwards, I
+reached, in great suffering, the neighbourhood of Soho Square, behind
+which I lived. On going into the house I got some hot water from the
+servant, and charging her very earnestly--literally as a dying man--to
+accept eternal life as the gift of GOD through JESUS CHRIST, I bathed my
+head and lanced the finger, hoping to let out some of the poisoned
+blood. The pain was very severe; I fainted away, and was for some time
+unconscious, so long that when I came to myself I found that I had been
+carried to bed.
+
+An uncle of mine who lived near at hand had come in, and sent for his
+own medical man, an assistant surgeon at the Westminster Hospital. I
+assured my uncle that medical help would be of no service to me, and
+that I did not wish to go to the expense involved. He, however, quieted
+me on this score, saying that he had sent for his own doctor, and that
+the bill would be charged to himself. When the surgeon came and learned
+all the particulars, he said, "Well, if you have been living moderately,
+you may pull through; but if you have been going in for beer and that
+sort of thing, there is no manner of chance for you." I thought that if
+sober living was to do anything, few could have a better chance, as
+little but bread and water had been my diet for a good while past. I
+told him I had lived abstemiously, and found that it helped me in study.
+"But now," he said, "you must keep up your strength, for it will be a
+pretty hard struggle." And he ordered me a bottle of port wine every
+day, and as many chops as I could consume. Again I smiled inwardly,
+having no means for the purchase of such luxuries. This difficulty,
+however, was also met by my kind uncle, who sent me at once all that was
+needed.
+
+I was much concerned, notwithstanding the agony I suffered, that my dear
+parents should not be made acquainted with my state. Thought and prayer
+had satisfied me that I was not going to die, but that there was indeed
+a work for me to do in China. If my dear parents should come up and find
+me in that condition, I must lose the opportunity of seeing how GOD was
+going to work for me, now that my money had almost come to an end. So,
+after prayer for guidance, I obtained a promise from my uncle and cousin
+not to write to my parents, but to leave me to communicate with them
+myself. I felt it was a very distinct answer to prayer when they gave me
+this promise, and I took care to defer all communication with them
+myself until the crisis was past and the worst of the attack over. At
+home they knew that I was working hard for an examination, and did not
+wonder at my silence.
+
+Days and nights of suffering passed slowly by; but at length, after
+several weeks, I was sufficiently restored to leave my room; and then I
+learned that two men, though not from the London Hospital, who had had
+dissection wounds at the same time as myself, had both succumbed, while
+I was spared in answer to prayer to work for GOD in China.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+STRENGTHENED BY FAITH
+
+
+ONE day the doctor coming in found me on the sofa, and was surprised to
+learn that with assistance I had walked downstairs. "Now," he said, "the
+best thing you can go is to get off to the country as soon as you feel
+equal to the journey. You must rusticate until you have recovered a fair
+amount of health and strength, for if you begin your work too soon the
+consequences may still be serious." When he had left, as I lay very
+exhausted on the sofa, I just told the LORD all about it, and that I was
+refraining from making my circumstances known to those who would delight
+to meet my need, in order that my faith might be strengthened by
+receiving help from Himself in answer to prayer alone. What was I to do?
+And I waited for His answer.
+
+It seemed to me as if He were directing my mind to the conclusion to go
+again to the shipping office, and inquire about the wages I had been
+unable to draw. I reminded the LORD that I could not afford to take a
+conveyance, and that it did not seem at all likely that I should succeed
+in getting the money, and asked whether this impulse was not a mere
+clutching at a straw, some mental process of my own, rather than His
+guidance and teaching. After prayer, however, and renewed waiting upon
+GOD, I was confirmed in my belief that He Himself was teaching me to go
+to the office.
+
+The next question was, "How am I to go?" I had had to seek help in
+coming downstairs, and the place was at least two miles away. The
+assurance was brought vividly home to me that whatever I asked of GOD in
+the name of CHRIST would be done, that the FATHER might be glorified in
+the SON; that what I had to do was to seek strength for the long walk,
+to receive it by faith, and to set out upon it. Unhesitatingly I told
+the LORD that I was quite willing to take the walk if He would give me
+the strength. I asked in the name of CHRIST that the strength might be
+immediately given; and sending the servant up to my room for my hat and
+stick, I set out, not to _attempt_ to walk, but TO WALK to Cheapside.
+
+Although undoubtedly strengthened by faith, I never took so much
+interest in shop windows as I did upon that journey. At every second or
+third step I was glad to lean a little against the plate glass, and take
+time to examine the contents of the windows before passing on. It needed
+a special effort of faith when I got to the bottom of Farringdon Street
+to attempt the toilsome ascent of Snow Hill: there was no Holborn
+Viaduct in those days, and it had to be done. GOD did wonderfully help
+me, and in due time I reached Cheapside, turned into the by-street in
+which the office was found, and sat down much exhausted on the steps
+leading to the first floor, which was my destination. I felt my position
+to be a little peculiar--sitting there on the steps, so evidently
+spent--and the gentlemen who rushed up and downstairs looked at me with
+an inquiring gaze. After a little rest, however, and a further season of
+prayer, I succeeded in climbing the staircase, and to my comfort found
+in the office the clerk with whom I had hitherto dealt in the matter.
+Seeing me looking pale and exhausted, he kindly inquired as to my
+health, and I told him that I had had a serious illness, and was ordered
+to the country, but thought it well to call first, and make further
+inquiry, lest there should have been any mistake about the mate having
+run off to the gold diggings. "Oh," he said, "I am so glad you have
+come, for it turns out that it was an able seaman of the same name that
+ran away. The mate is still on board; the ship has just reached
+Gravesend, and will be up very soon. I shall be glad to give you the
+half-pay up to date, for doubtless it will reach his wife more safely
+through you. We all know what temptations beset the men when they arrive
+at home after a voyage."
+
+Before, however, giving me the sum of money, he insisted upon my coming
+inside and sharing his lunch. I felt it was the LORD indeed who was
+providing for me, and accepted his offer with thankfulness. When I was
+refreshed and rested, he gave me a sheet of paper to write a few lines
+to the wife, telling her of the circumstances. On my way back I procured
+in Cheapside a money order for the balance due to her, and posted it;
+and returning home again, felt myself now quite justified in taking an
+omnibus as far as it would serve me.
+
+Very much better the next morning, after seeing to some little matters
+that I had to settle, I made my way to the surgery of the doctor who had
+attended me, feeling that, although my uncle was prepared to pay the
+bill, it was right for me, now that I had some money in hand, to ask for
+the account myself. The kind surgeon refused to allow me, as a medical
+student, to pay anything for his attendance: but he had supplied me with
+quinine, which he allowed me to pay for to the extent of eight
+shillings. When that was settled, I saw that the sum left was just
+sufficient to take me home; and to my mind the whole thing seemed a
+wonderful interposition of GOD on my behalf.
+
+I knew that the surgeon was sceptical, and told him that I should very
+much like to speak to him freely, if I might do so without offence; that
+I felt that under GOD I owed my life to his kind care, and wished very
+earnestly that he himself might become a partaker of the same precious
+faith that I possessed. So I told him my reason for being in London, and
+about my circumstances, and why I had declined the help of both my
+father and the officers of the Society in connection with which it was
+probable that I should go to China. I told him of the recent
+providential dealings of GOD with me, and how apparently hopeless my
+position had been the day before, when he had ordered me to go to the
+country, unless I would reveal my need, which I had determined not to
+do. I described to him the mental exercises I had gone through; but when
+I added that I had actually got up from the sofa and walked to
+Cheapside, he looked at me incredulously, and "Impossible! Why, I left
+you lying there more like a ghost than a man." And I had to assure him
+again and again that, strengthened by faith, the walk had really been
+taken. I told him also what money was left to me, and what payments
+there had been to make, and showed him that just sufficient remained to
+take me home to Yorkshire, providing for needful refreshment by the way
+and the omnibus journey at the end.
+
+My kind friend was completely broken down, and said with tears in his
+eyes, "I would give all the world for a faith like yours." I, on the
+other hand, had the joy of telling him that it was to be obtained
+without money and without price. We never met again. When I came back to
+town, restored to health and strength, I found that he had had a
+stroke, and left for the country; and I subsequently learned that he
+never rallied. I was able to gain no information as to his state of mind
+when taken away; but I have always felt very thankful that I had the
+opportunity, and embraced it, of bearing that testimony for GOD. I
+cannot but entertain the hope that the MASTER Himself was speaking to
+him through His dealings with me, and that I shall meet him again in the
+Better Land. It would be no small joy to be welcomed by him, when my own
+service is over.
+
+The next day found me in my dear parents' home. My joy in the LORD's
+help and deliverance was so great that I was unable to keep it to
+myself, and before my return to London my dear mother knew the secret of
+my life for some time past. I need scarcely say that when I went up
+again to town I was not allowed to live--as, indeed, I was not fit to
+live--on the same economical lines as before my illness. I needed more
+now, and the LORD did provide.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+MIGHTY TO SAVE
+
+
+RETURNING to London when sufficiently recovered to resume my studies,
+the busy life of hospital and lecture-hall was resumed; often relieved
+by happy Sundays of fellowship with Christian friends, especially in
+London or Tottenham. Opportunities for service are to be found in every
+sphere, and mine was no exception. I shall only mention one case now
+that gave me great encouragement in seeking conversion even when it
+seemed apparently hopeless.
+
+GOD had given me the joy of winning souls before, but not in
+surroundings of such special difficulty. With GOD all things are
+possible, and no conversion ever takes place save by the almighty power
+of the HOLY GHOST. The great need, therefore, of every Christian worker
+is to _know_ GOD. Indeed, this is the purpose for which He has given us
+eternal life, as our SAVIOUR Himself says, in the oft misquoted verse,
+John xvii. 3: "This is [the object of] life eternal, [not _to_ know but]
+that they _might_ know Thee the only true GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, whom
+Thou hast sent." I was now to prove the willingness of GOD to answer
+prayer for spiritual blessing under most unpromising circumstances, and
+thus to gain an increased acquaintance with the prayer-answering GOD as
+One "mighty to save."
+
+A short time before leaving for China, it became my duty daily to dress
+the foot of a patient suffering from senile gangrene. The disease
+commenced, as usual, insidiously, and the patient had little idea that
+he was a doomed man, and probably had not long to live. I was not the
+first to attend to him, but when the case was transferred to me, I
+naturally became very anxious about his soul. The family with whom he
+lived were Christians, and from them I learned that he was an avowed
+atheist, and very antagonistic to anything religious. They had, without
+asking his consent, invited a Scripture reader to visit him, but in
+great passion he had ordered him from the room. The vicar of the
+district had also called, hoping to help him; but he had spit in his
+face, and refused to allow him to speak to him. His passionate temper
+was described to me as very violent, and altogether the case seemed to
+be as hopeless as could well be imagined.
+
+Upon first commencing to attend him I prayed much about it; but for two
+or three days said nothing to him of a religious nature. By special care
+in dressing his diseased limb I was able considerably to lessen his
+sufferings, and he soon began to manifest grateful appreciation of my
+services. One day, with a trembling heart, I took advantage of his warm
+acknowledgments to tell him what was the spring of my action, and to
+speak of his own solemn position and need of GOD's mercy through CHRIST.
+It was evidently only by a powerful effort of self-restraint that he
+kept his lips closed. He turned over in bed with his back to me, and
+uttered no word.
+
+I could not get the poor man out of my mind, and very often through each
+day I pleaded with GOD, by His SPIRIT, to save him ere He took him
+hence. After dressing the wound and relieving his pain, I never failed
+to say a few words to him, which I hoped the LORD would bless. He
+always turned his back to me, looking annoyed, but never spoke a word in
+reply.
+
+After continuing this for some time, my heart sank. It seemed to me that
+I was not only doing no good, but perhaps really hardening him and
+increasing his guilt. One day, after dressing his limb and washing my
+hands, instead of returning to the bedside to speak to him, I went to
+the door, and stood hesitating for a few moments with the thought in my
+mind, "Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone." I looked at the
+man and saw his surprise, as it was the first time since speaking to him
+that I had attempted to leave without going up to his bedside to say a
+few words for my MASTER. I could bear it no longer. Bursting into tears,
+I crossed the room and said, "My friend, whether you will hear or
+whether you will forbear, I _must_ deliver _my_ soul," and went on to
+speak very earnestly to him, telling him with many tears how much I
+wished that he would let me pray with him. To my unspeakable joy he did
+not turn away, but replied, "If it will be a relief to you, do." I need
+scarcely say that I fell on my knees and poured out my whole soul to GOD
+on his behalf. I believe the LORD then and there wrought a change in his
+soul.
+
+He was never afterwards unwilling to be spoken to and prayed with, and
+within a few days he definitely accepted CHRIST as his SAVIOUR. Oh the
+joy it was to me to see that dear man rejoicing in hope of the glory of
+GOD! He told me that for forty years he had never darkened the door of
+church or chapel, and that then--forty years ago--he had only entered a
+place of worship to be married, and could not be persuaded to go inside
+when his wife was buried. Now, thank GOD, his sin-stained soul, I had
+every reason to believe, was washed, was sanctified, was justified, in
+the Name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and in the SPIRIT of our GOD.
+Oftentimes, when in my early work in China circumstances rendered me
+almost hopeless of success, I have thought of this man's conversion, and
+have been encouraged to persevere in speaking the Word, whether men
+would hear or whether they would forbear.
+
+The now happy sufferer lived for some time after this change, and was
+never tired of bearing testimony to the grace of GOD. Though his
+condition was most distressing, the alteration in his character and
+behaviour made the previously painful duty of attending him one of real
+pleasure. I have often thought since, in connection with this case and
+the work of GOD generally, of the words, "He that goeth forth _weeping_,
+bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing
+his sheaves with him." Perhaps if there were more of that intense
+distress for souls that leads to tears, we should more frequently see
+the results we desire. Sometimes it may be that while we are complaining
+of the hardness of the hearts of those we are seeking to benefit, the
+hardness of our own hearts, and our own feeble apprehension of the
+solemn reality of eternal things, may be the true cause of our want of
+success.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+VOYAGE TO CHINA
+
+
+SOON after this the time so long looked forward to arrived--the time
+that I was to leave England for China. After being set apart with many
+prayers for the ministry of GOD's Word among the heathen Chinese I left
+London for Liverpool; and on the 19th of September 1853 a little service
+was held in the stern cabin of the _Dumfries_, which had been secured
+for me by the Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society, under
+whose auspices I was going to China.
+
+My beloved, now sainted, mother had come to see me off from Liverpool.
+Never shall I forget that day, nor how she went with me into the little
+cabin that was to be my home for nearly six long months. With a mother's
+loving hand she smoothed the little bed. She sat by my side, and joined
+me in the last hymn that we should sing together before the long
+parting. We knelt down, and she prayed--the last mother's prayer I was
+to hear before starting for China. Then notice was given that we must
+separate, and we had to say good-bye, never expecting to meet on earth
+again.
+
+For my sake she restrained her feelings as much as possible. We parted;
+and she went on shore, giving me her blessing; I stood alone on deck,
+and she followed the ship as we moved towards the dock gates. As we
+passed through the gates, and the separation really commenced, I shall
+never forget the cry of anguish wrung from that mother's heart. It went
+through me like a knife. I never knew so fully, until then, what GOD
+_so_ loved the world meant. And I am quite sure that my precious mother
+learned more of the love of GOD to the perishing in that hour than in
+all her life before.
+
+Oh, how it must grieve the heart of GOD when He sees His children
+indifferent to the needs of that wide world for which His beloved, His
+only begotten SON died!
+
+          Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear;
+          Forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
+          So shall the KING desire thy beauty:
+          For He is thy LORD; and worship thou Him.
+
+Praise GOD, the number is increasing who are finding out the exceeding
+joys, the wondrous revelations of His mercies, vouchsafed to those who
+follow Him, and emptying themselves, leave all in obedience to His great
+commission.
+
+It was on 19th September 1853 that the _Dumfries_ sailed for China; and
+not until 1st March, in the spring of the following year, did I arrive
+in Shanghai.
+
+Our voyage had a rough beginning, but many had promised to remember us
+in constant prayer. No small comfort was this; for we had scarcely left
+the Mersey when a violent equinoctial gale caught us, and for twelve
+days we were beating backwards and forwards in the Irish Channel, unable
+to get out to sea. The gale steadily increased, and after almost a week
+we lay to for a time; but drifting on a lee coast, we were compelled
+again to make sail, and endeavoured to beat on to windward. The utmost
+efforts of the captain and crew, however, were unavailing; and Sunday
+night, 25th September, found us drifting into Carnarvon Bay, each tack
+becoming shorter, until at last we were within a stone's-throw of the
+rocks. About this time, as the ship, which had refused to stay, was put
+round in the other direction, the Christian captain said to me, "We
+cannot live half an hour now: what of your call to labour for the LORD
+in China?" I had previously passed through a time of much conflict, but
+that was over, and it was a great joy to feel and to tell him that I
+would not for any consideration be in any other position; that I
+strongly expected to reach China; but that, if otherwise, at any rate
+the Master would say it was well that I was found seeking to obey His
+command.
+
+Within a few minutes after wearing ship the captain walked, up to the
+compass, and said to me, "The wind has freed two points; we shall be
+able to beat out of the bay." And so we did. The bowsprit was sprung and
+the vessel seriously strained; but in a few days we got out to sea, and
+the necessary repairs were so thoroughly effected on board that our
+journey to China was in due time satisfactorily accomplished.
+
+One thing was a great trouble to me that night. I was a very young
+believer, and had not sufficient faith in GOD to see Him in and through
+the use of means. I had felt it a duty to comply with the earnest wish
+of my beloved and honoured mother, and for her sake to procure a
+swimming-belt. But in my own soul I felt as if I could not simply trust
+in GOD while I had this swimming-belt; and my heart had no rest until on
+that night, after all hope of being saved was gone, I had given it away.
+Then I had perfect peace; and, strange to say, put several light things
+together, likely to float at the time we struck, without any thought of
+inconsistency or scruple. Ever since, I have seen clearly the mistake I
+made--a mistake that is very common in these days, when erroneous
+teaching on faith-healing does much harm, misleading some as to the
+purposes of GOD, shaking the faith of others, and distressing the minds
+of many. The use of means ought not to lessen our faith in GOD; and our
+faith in GOD ought not to hinder our using whatever means He has given
+us for the accomplishment of His own purposes.
+
+For years after this I always took a swimming-belt with me, and never
+had any trouble about it; for after the storm was over, the question was
+settled for me, through the prayerful study of the Scriptures. GOD gave
+me then to see my mistake, probably to deliver me from a great deal of
+trouble on similar questions now so constantly raised. When in medical
+or surgical charge of any case, I have never thought of neglecting to
+ask GOD's guidance and blessing in the use of appropriate means, nor yet
+of omitting to give Him thanks for answered prayer and restored health.
+But to me it would appear as presumptuous and wrong to neglect the use
+of those measures which He Himself has put within our reach, as to
+neglect to take daily food, and suppose that life and health might be
+maintained by prayer alone.
+
+The voyage was a very tedious one. We lost a good deal of time on the
+equator from calms; and when we finally reached the Eastern Archipelago,
+were again detained from the same cause. Usually a breeze would spring
+up soon after sunset, and last until about dawn. The utmost use was made
+of it, but during the day we lay still with flapping sails, often
+drifting back and losing a good deal of the advantage we had gained
+during the night.
+
+This happened notably on one occasion, when we were in dangerous
+proximity to the north of New Guinea. Saturday night had brought us to a
+point some thirty miles off the land; but during the Sunday morning
+service, which was held on deck, I could not fail to notice that the
+captain looked troubled, and frequently went over to the side of the
+ship. When the service was ended, I learnt from him the cause--a
+four-knot current was carrying us rapidly towards some sunken reefs, and
+we were already so near that it seemed improbable that we should get
+through the afternoon in safety. After dinner the long-boat was put out,
+and all hands endeavoured, without success, to turn the ship's head from
+the shore. As we drifted nearer we could plainly see the natives rushing
+about the sands and lighting fires every here and there. The captain's
+horn-book informed him that these people were cannibals, so that our
+position was not a little alarming.
+
+After standing together on the deck for some time in silence, the
+captain said to me, "Well, we have done everything that can be done; we
+can only await the result." A thought occurred to me, and I replied,
+"No, there is one thing we have not done yet." "What is it?" he queried.
+"Four of us on board are Christians," I answered (the Swedish carpenter
+and our coloured steward, with the captain and myself); "let us each
+retire to his own cabin, and in agreed prayer ask the LORD to give us
+immediately a breeze. He can as easily send it now as at sunset."
+
+The captain complied with this proposal. I went and spoke to the other
+two men, and after prayer with the carpenter we all four retired to wait
+upon GOD. I had a good but very brief season in prayer, and then felt so
+satisfied that our request was granted that I could not continue asking,
+and very soon went up again on deck. The first officer, a godless man,
+was in charge. I went over and asked him to let down the clews or
+corners of the mainsail, which had been drawn up in order to lessen the
+useless flapping of the sail against the rigging. He answered, "What
+would be the good of that?" I told him we had been asking a wind from
+GOD, that it was coming immediately, and we were so near the reef by
+this time that there was not a minute to lose. With a look of
+incredulity and contempt, he said with an oath that he would rather see
+a wind than hear of it! But while he was speaking I watched his eye, and
+followed it up to the royal (the topmost sail), and there, sure enough,
+the corner of the sail was beginning to tremble in the coming breeze.
+"Don't you see the wind is coming? Look at the royal!" I exclaimed. "No,
+it is only a cat's-paw," he rejoined (a mere puff of wind). "Cat's-paw
+or not," I cried, "pray let down the mainsail, and let us have the
+benefit!"
+
+This he was not slow to do. In another minute the heavy tread of the men
+on the deck brought up the captain from his cabin to see what was the
+matter; and he saw that the breeze had indeed come. In a few minutes we
+were ploughing our way at six or seven knots an hour through the water,
+and the multitude of naked savages whom we had seen on the beach had no
+wreckage that night. We were soon out of danger; and though the wind was
+sometimes unsteady, we did not altogether lose it until after passing
+the Pelew Islands.
+
+Thus GOD encouraged me, ere landing on China's shores, to bring every
+variety of need to Him in prayer, and _to expect that He would honour
+the Name_ of the LORD JESUS, and give the help which each emergency
+required.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+EARLY MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES
+
+
+ON landing in Shanghai on 1st March 1854, I found myself surrounded with
+difficulties that were wholly unexpected. A band of rebels, known as the
+"Red Turbans," had taken possession of the native city, against which
+was encamped an Imperial army of from forty to fifty thousand men, who
+were a much greater source of discomfort and danger to the little
+European community than were the rebels themselves. Upon landing, I was
+told that to live outside the Settlement was impossible, while within
+the foreign concession apartments were scarcely obtainable at any price.
+The dollar, now worth about three shillings, had risen to a value of
+eight-and-ninepence, and the prospect for one with only a small income
+of English money was dark indeed. However, I had three letters of
+introduction, and counted on counsel and help, especially from one of
+those to whom I had been commended, whose friends I well knew and highly
+valued. Of course I sought him out at once, but only to learn that he
+had been buried a month or two before, having died from fever during the
+time of my voyage.
+
+Saddened by these tidings, I inquired for a missionary to whom another
+of my letters of introduction was addressed; but a further
+disappointment awaited me--he had left for America. The third letter
+remained; but as it had been given by a comparative stranger, I had
+expected less from it than from the other two. It proved, however, to be
+GOD's channel of help. The Rev. Dr. Medhurst, of the London Mission, to
+whom it was addressed, introduced me to Dr. Lockhart, who kindly allowed
+me to live with him for six months. Dr. Medhurst procured my first
+Chinese teacher; and he, Dr. Edkins, and the late Mr. Alexander Wylie
+gave me considerable help with the language.
+
+Those were indeed troublous times, and times of danger. Coming out of
+the city one day with Mr. Wylie, he entered into conversation with two
+coolies, while we waited a little while at the East Gate for a companion
+who was behind us. Before our companion came up an attack upon the city
+from the batteries on the opposite side of the river commenced, which
+caused us to hurry away to a place of less danger, the whiz of the balls
+being unpleasantly near. The coolies, unfortunately, stayed too long,
+and were wounded. On reaching the Settlement we stopped a few minutes to
+make a purchase, and then proceeded at once to the London Mission
+compound, where, at the door of the hospital, we found the two poor
+coolies with whom Mr. Wylie had conversed, their four ankles terribly
+shattered by a cannon ball. The poor fellows declined amputation, and
+both died. We felt how narrow had been our escape.
+
+At another time, early in the morning, I had joined one of the
+missionaries on his verandah to watch the battle proceeding, at a
+distance of perhaps three-quarters of a mile, when suddenly a spent ball
+passed between us and buried itself in the verandah wall. Another day my
+friend Mr. Wylie left a book on the table after luncheon, and returning
+for it about five minutes later, found the arm of the chair on which he
+had been sitting shot clean away. But in the midst of these and many
+other dangers GOD protected us.
+
+After six months' stay with Dr. Lockhart, I rented a native house
+outside the Settlement, and commenced a little missionary work amongst
+my Chinese neighbours, which for a few months continued practicable.
+When the French joined the Imperialists in attacking the city, the
+position of my house became so dangerous that during the last few weeks,
+in consequence of nightly recurring skirmishes, I gave up attempting to
+sleep except in the daytime. One night a fire appeared very near, and I
+climbed up to a little observatory I had arranged on the roof of the
+house, to see whether it was necessary to attempt escape. While there a
+ball struck the ridge of the roof on the opposite side of the
+quadrangle, showering pieces of broken tile all around me, while the
+ball itself rolled down into the court below. It weighed four or five
+pounds; and had it come a few inches higher, would probably have spent
+its force on me instead of on the building. My dear mother kept the ball
+for many years. Shortly after this I had to abandon the house and return
+to the Foreign Settlement--a step that was taken none too soon, for
+before the last of my belongings were removed, the house was burnt to
+the ground.
+
+Of the trials of this early period it is scarcely possible to convey any
+adequate idea. To one of a sensitive nature, the horrors, atrocities,
+and misery connected with war were a terrible ordeal. The embarrassment
+also of the times was considerable. With an income of only eighty pounds
+a year, I was compelled, upon moving into the Settlement, to give one
+hundred and twenty for rent, and sublet half the house; and though the
+Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society increased my income
+when, after the arrival of Dr. Parker, they learned more of our
+circumstances, many painful experiences had necessarily been passed
+through. Few can realise how distressing to so young and untried a
+worker these difficulties seemed, or the intense loneliness of the
+position of a pioneer who could not even hint at many of his
+circumstances, as to do so would have been a tacit appeal for help.
+
+The great enemy is always ready with his oft-repeated suggestion, "All
+these things are against me." But oh, how false the word! The cold, and
+even the hunger, the watchings and sleeplessness of nights of danger,
+and the feeling at times of utter isolation and helplessness, were well
+and wisely chosen, and tenderly and lovingly meted out. What
+circumstances could have rendered the Word of GOD more sweet, the
+presence of GOD more real, the help of GOD more precious? They were
+times, indeed, of emptying and humbling, but were experiences that made
+not ashamed, and that strengthened purpose to go forward as GOD might
+direct, with His _proved_ promise, "I will not fail thee, nor forsake
+thee." One can see, even now, that as for GOD, His way is perfect, and
+yet can rejoice that the missionary path of to-day is comparatively a
+smooth and an easy one.
+
+Journeying inland was contrary to treaty arrangements, and attended with
+much difficulty, especially for some time after the battle of Muddy
+Flat, in which an Anglo-American contingent of about three hundred
+marines and seamen, with a volunteer corps of less than a hundred
+residents, attacked the Imperial camp, and drove away from thirty to
+fifty thousand Chinese soldiers, the range of our shot and shell making
+the native artillery useless. Still, in the autumn of 1854 a journey of
+perhaps a week's duration was safely accomplished with Dr. Edkins, who
+of course did the speaking and preaching, while I was able to help in
+the distribution of books.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+FIRST EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS
+
+
+A JOURNEY taken in the spring of 1855 with the Rev. J. S. Burden of the
+Church Missionary Society (now the Bishop of Victoria, Hong-kong) was
+attended with some serious dangers.
+
+In the great mouth of the river Yang-tse, distant some thirty miles to
+the north of Shanghai, lies the group of islands of which Ts'ung-ming
+and Hai-men are the largest and most important; and farther up the
+river, where the estuary narrows away from the sea, is situated the
+influential city of T'ung-chau, close to Lang-shan, or the Wolf
+Mountains, famous as a resort for pilgrim devotees. We spent some time
+in evangelising on those islands, and then proceeded to Lang-shan, where
+we preached and gave books to thousands of the devotees who were
+attending an idolatrous festival. From thence we went on to T'ung-chau,
+and of our painful experiences there the following journal will tell:--
+
+
+                                      _Thursday, April 26th, 1855._
+
+After breakfast we commended ourselves to the care of our Heavenly
+FATHER, and sought His Blessing before proceeding to this great city.
+The day was dull and wet. We felt persuaded that Satan would not allow
+us to assail his kingdom, as we were attempting to do, without raising
+serious opposition; but we were also fully assured that it was the will
+of GOD that we should preach CHRIST in this city, and distribute the
+Word of Truth among its people. We were sorry that we had but few books
+left for such an important place: the result, however, proved that this
+also was providential.
+
+Our native teachers did their best to persuade us not to go into the
+city; but we determined that, by GOD'S help, nothing should hinder us.
+We directed them, however, to remain in one of the boats; and if we did
+not return, to learn whatever they could respecting our fate, and make
+all possible haste to Shanghai with the information. We also arranged
+that the other boat should wait for us, even if we could not get back
+that night, so that we might not be detained for want of a boat in case
+of returning later. We then put our books into two bags, and with a
+servant who always accompanied us on these occasions, set off for the
+city, distant about seven miles. Walking was out of the question, from
+the state of the roads, so we availed ourselves of wheel-barrows, the
+only conveyance to be had in these parts. A wheel-barrow is cheaper than
+a sedan, only requiring one coolie; but is by no means an agreeable
+conveyance on rough, dirty roads.
+
+We had not gone far before the servant requested permission to go back,
+as he was thoroughly frightened by reports concerning the native
+soldiery. Of course we at once consented, not wishing to involve another
+in trouble, and determined to carry the books ourselves, and look for
+physical as well as spiritual strength to Him who had promised to supply
+all our need.
+
+At this point a respectable man came up, and earnestly warned us against
+proceeding, saying that if we did we should find to our sorrow what the
+T'ung-chau militia were like. We thanked him for his kindly counsel, but
+could not act upon it, as our hearts were fixed, whether it were to
+bonds, imprisonment, and death, or whether to distribute our Scriptures
+and tracts in safety, and return unhurt, we knew not; but we were
+determined, by the grace of GOD, not to leave T'ung-chau any longer
+without the Gospel, nor its teeming thousands to die in uncared-for
+ignorance of the Way of life.
+
+After this my wheel-barrow man would proceed no farther, and I had to
+seek another, who was fortunately not difficult to find. As we went on,
+the ride in the mud and rain was anything but agreeable, and we could
+not help feeling the danger of our position, although wavering not for a
+moment. At intervals we encouraged one another with promises from the
+Scripture and verses of hymns. That verse--
+
+          "The perils of the sea, the perils of the land,
+          Should not dishearten thee: thy LORD is nigh at hand.
+          But should thy courage fail, when tried and sore oppressed,
+          His promise shall avail, and set thy soul at rest."
+
+seemed particularly appropriate to our circumstances, and was very
+comforting to me.
+
+On our way we passed through one small town of about a thousand
+inhabitants; and here, in the Mandarin dialect, I preached JESUS to a
+good number of people. Never was I so happy in speaking of the love of
+GOD and the atonement of JESUS CHRIST. My own soul was richly blessed,
+and filled with joy and peace; and I was able to speak with unusual
+freedom and ease. And how rejoiced I was when, afterwards, I heard one
+of our hearers repeating to the newcomers, in his own local dialect, the
+truths upon which I had been dwelling! Oh, how thankful I felt to hear a
+Chinaman, of his own accord, telling his fellow-countrymen that GOD
+loved them; that they were sinners, but that JESUS died instead of
+them, and paid the penalty of their guilt. That one moment repaid me for
+all the trials we had passed through; and I felt that if the LORD should
+grant HIS HOLY SPIRIT to change the heart of that man, we had not come
+in vain.
+
+We distributed a few Testaments and tracts, for the people were able to
+read, and we could not leave them without the Gospel. It was well that
+we did so, for when we reached T'ung-chau we found we had quite as many
+left as we had strength to carry.
+
+Nearing the end of our journey, as we approached the western suburb of
+the city, the prayer of the early Christians, when persecution was
+commencing, came to my mind: "And now, LORD, behold their threatenings,
+and grant unto Thy servants that with all boldness they may speak Thy
+Word." In this petition we most heartily united. Before entering the
+suburb we laid our plans, so as to act in concert, and told our
+wheel-barrow men where to await us, that they might not be involved in
+any trouble on our account. Then looking up to our Heavenly FATHER, we
+committed ourselves to His keeping, took our books, and set on for the
+city.
+
+For some distance we walked along the principal street of the suburb
+leading to the West Gate unmolested, and were amused at the unusual
+title of _Heh-kwei-tsi_ (black devils) which was applied to us. We
+wondered about it at the time, but afterwards found that it was our
+clothes, and not our skin, that gave rise to it. As we passed several of
+the soldiers, I remarked to Mr. Burdon that these were the men we had
+heard so much about, and that they seemed willing to receive us quietly
+enough. Long before we reached the gate, however, a tall powerful man,
+made tenfold fiercer by partial intoxication, let us know that all the
+militia were not so peaceably inclined, by seizing Mr. Burdon by the
+shoulders. My companion endeavoured to shake him off. I turned to see
+what was the matter, and at once we were surrounded by a dozen or more
+brutal men, who hurried us on to the city at a fearful pace.
+
+My bag now began to feel very heavy, and I could not change hands to
+relieve myself. I was soon in a profuse perspiration, and was scarcely
+able to keep pace with them. We demanded to be taken before the chief
+magistrate, but were told that they knew where to take us, and what to
+do with such persons as we were, with the most insulting epithets. The
+man who first seized Mr. Burdon soon afterwards left him for me, and
+became my principal tormentor; for I was neither so tall nor so strong
+as my friend, and was therefore less able to resist him. He all but
+knocked me down again and again, seized me by the hair, took hold of my
+collar so as to almost choke me, and grasped my arms and shoulders,
+making them black and blue. Had this treatment continued much longer, I
+must have fainted. All but exhausted, how refreshing was the remembrance
+of a verse quoted by my dear mother in one of my last home letters--
+
+          "We speak of the realms of the blest,
+          That country so bright and so fair,
+          And oft are its glories confessed;
+          But what must it be to be there!"
+
+To be absent from the body! to be present with the LORD! to be free from
+sin! And this is the end of the worst that man's malice can ever bring
+upon us.
+
+As we were walking along Mr. Burdon tried to give away a few books that
+he was carrying, not knowing whether we might have another opportunity
+of doing so; but the fearful rage of the soldier, and the way he
+insisted on manacles being brought, which fortunately were not at hand,
+convinced us that in our present position we could do no good in
+attempting book-distribution. There was nothing to be done but quietly
+to submit, and go along with our captors.
+
+Once or twice a quarrel arose as to how we should be dealt with; the
+more mild of our conductors saying that we ought to be taken to the
+magistrate's office, but others wishing to kill us at once without
+appeal to any authority. Our minds were kept in perfect peace; and when
+thrown together on one of these occasions, we reminded each other that
+the Apostles rejoiced that they were counted _worthy_ to suffer in the
+cause of CHRIST. Having succeeded in getting my hand into my pocket, I
+produced a Chinese card (if the large red paper, bearing one's name, may
+be so called), and after this was treated with more respect. I demanded
+it should be given to the chief official of the place, and that we
+should be led to his office. Before this we had been unable, say what we
+would, to persuade them that we were foreigners, although we were both
+in English attire.
+
+Oh the long weary streets that we were dragged through! I thought they
+would never end; and seldom have I felt more thankful than when we
+stopped at a place where we were told a mandarin resided. Quite
+exhausted, bathed in perspiration, and with my tongue cleaving to the
+roof of my mouth, I leaned against the wall, and saw that Mr. Burdon was
+in much the same condition. I requested them to bring us chairs, but
+they told us to wait; and when I begged them to give us some tea,
+received only the same answer. Round the doorway a large crowd had
+gathered; and Mr. Burdon, collecting his remaining strength, preached
+CHRIST JESUS to them. Our cards and books had been taken in to the
+mandarin, but he proved to be one of low rank, and after keeping us
+waiting for some time he referred us to his superiors in office.
+
+Upon hearing this, and finding that it was their purpose to turn us out
+again into the crowded streets, we positively refused to move a single
+step, and insisted on chairs being brought. After some demur this was
+done; we seated ourselves in them, and were carried on. On the road we
+felt so glad of the rest which the chairs afforded us, and so thankful
+at having been able to preach JESUS in spite of Satan's malice, that our
+joy was depicted on our countenances; and as we passed along we heard
+some say that we did not look like bad men, while others seemed to pity
+us. When we arrived at the magistrate's office, I wondered where we were
+being taken; for though we passed through some great gates that looked
+like those of the city wall, we were still evidently within the city. A
+second pair of gates suggested the idea that it was a prison into which
+we were being carried; but when we came in sight of a large tablet, with
+the inscription "_Ming chï fu mu_" (the father and mother of the
+people), we felt that we had been conveyed to the right place; this
+being the title assumed by the mandarins.
+
+Our cards were again sent in, and after a short delay we were taken into
+the presence of Ch'en Ta Lao-ie (the Great Venerable Father Ch'en), who,
+as it proved, had formerly been Tao-tai of Shanghai, and consequently
+knew the importance of treating foreigners with courtesy. Coming before
+him, some of the people fell on their knees and bowed down to the
+ground, and my conductor motioned for me to do the same, but without
+success. This mandarin, who seemed to be the highest authority of
+T'ung-chau, and wore an opaque blue button on his cap, came out to meet
+us, and treated us with every possible token of respect. He took us to
+an inner apartment, a more private room, but was followed by a large
+number of writers, runners, and other semi-officials. I related the
+object of our visit, and begged permission to give him copies of our
+books and tracts, for which he thanked me. As I handed him a copy of the
+New Testament with part of the Old (from Genesis to Ruth) and some
+tracts, I tried to explain a little about them, and also to give him a
+brief summary of our teachings. . . . He listened very attentively, as of
+course did all the others present. He then ordered some refreshments to
+be brought in, which were very welcome, and himself partook of them with
+us.
+
+After a long stay, we asked permission to see something of the city, and
+to distribute the books we had brought, before our return. To this he
+kindly consented. We then mentioned that we had been most
+disrespectfully treated as we came in, but that we did not attach much
+importance to the fact, being aware that the soldiers knew no better.
+Not desiring, however, to have such an experience repeated, we requested
+him to give orders that we were not to be further molested. This also he
+promised to do, and with every possible token of respect accompanied us
+to the door of his official residence, sending several runners to see
+that we were respectfully treated. We distributed our books well and
+quickly, and left the city quite in state. It was amusing to us to see
+the way in which the runners made use of their tails. When the street
+was blocked by the crowd, they turned them into whips, and laid them
+about the people's shoulders to right and left!
+
+We had a little trouble in finding our wheel-barrows; but eventually
+succeeding, we paid off the chair coolies, mounted our humble vehicles,
+and returned to the river, accompanied for fully half the distance by an
+attendant from the magistrate's office. Early in the evening we got back
+to the boats in safety, sincerely thankful to our Heavenly FATHER for
+His gracious protection and aid.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+WITH THE REV. WILLIAM BURNS
+
+
+AFTER the retaking of Shanghai by the Imperialists, in February 1855, I
+was enabled to rent a house within the walls of the native city, and
+gladly availed myself of this opportunity to reside amidst the crowded
+population left to inhabit the ruins that had survived the war. Here I
+made my headquarters, though often absent on more or less prolonged
+itinerations.
+
+At the suggestion of the Rev. Dr. Medhurst, the veteran leader of the
+London Mission, I was led at about this period to adopt the native
+costume in preference to foreign dress, to facilitate travel and
+residence inland. The Chinese had permitted a foreign firm to build a
+silk factory some distance inland, with the proviso that the style of
+building must be purely Chinese, and that there should be nothing
+external to suggest that it was foreign. Much benefit was found to
+result from this change of costume; and I, and most of those associated
+with me, have continued to use native dress.
+
+The T'ai-p'ing rebellion, commenced in 1851, had by this time reached
+the height of its ephemeral success. The great city of Nan-king had
+fallen before the invading host; and there, within two hundred miles of
+Shanghai, the rebels had established their headquarters, and proceeded
+to fortify themselves for further conquests. During the summer of 1855
+various attempts were made to visit the leaders of the movement, in
+order to bring to bear some decidedly Christian influence upon them; but
+so little success was met with, that these efforts were abandoned.
+
+I, amongst others, had sought to reach Nan-king; but finding it
+impossible to do so, turned my attention again to evangelistic work on
+the island of Ts'ung-ming. After some time I was enabled so far to
+overcome the prejudice and fears of the people as to rent a little house
+and settle down in their midst. This was a great joy and encouragement
+to me; but before many weeks were over complaints were made by the local
+authorities to the British Consul, who compelled me to retire; though
+the French Consul had himself secured to the Romish missionaries a
+property within three or four miles of the house I had to vacate. Sorely
+tried and disappointed by this unexpected hindrance, I reluctantly
+returned to Shanghai, little dreaming of the blessing that GOD had in
+store for me there.
+
+A few months previously the Rev. William Burns, of the English
+Presbyterian Mission, had arrived in that port on his return journey
+from home; and before proceeding to his former sphere of service in the
+southern province of FU-KIEN, he had endeavoured, like myself, without
+success, to visit the T'ai-p'ing rebels at Nan-king. Failing in this
+attempt, he made his headquarters in Shanghai for a season, devoting
+himself to the evangelisation of the surrounding populous regions. Thus
+in the autumn of the year I was providentially led into association with
+this beloved and honoured servant of GOD.
+
+We journeyed together, evangelising cities and towns in southern
+KIANG-SU and north CHEH-KIANG, living in our boats, and following the
+course of the canals and rivers which here spread like a network over
+the whole face of the rich and fertile country. Mr. Burns at that time
+was wearing English dress; but saw that while I was the younger and in
+every way less experienced, I had the quiet hearers, while he was
+followed by the rude boys, and by the curious but careless; that I was
+invited to the homes of the people, while he received an apology that
+the crowd that would follow precluded his being invited. After some
+weeks of observation he also adopted the native dress, and enjoyed the
+increased facilities which it gave.
+
+Those happy months were an unspeakable joy and privilege to me. His love
+for the Word was delightful, and his holy, reverential life and constant
+communings with GOD made fellowship with him satisfying to the deep
+cravings of my heart. His accounts of revival work and of persecutions
+in Canada, and Dublin, and in Southern China were most instructive, as
+well as interesting; for with true spiritual insight he often pointed
+out GOD's purposes in trial in a way that made all life assume quite a
+new aspect and value. His views especially about evangelism as the great
+work of the Church, and the order of lay evangelists as a lost order
+that Scripture required to be restored, were seed-thoughts which were to
+prove fruitful in the subsequent organisation of the China Inland
+Mission.
+
+Externally, however, our path was not always a smooth one; but when
+permitted to stay for any length of time in town or city, the
+opportunity was well utilised. We were in the habit of leaving our
+boats, after prayer for blessing, at about nine o'clock in the morning,
+with a light bamboo stool in hand. Selecting a suitable station, one
+would mount the stool and speak for twenty minutes, while the other was
+pleading for blessing; and then changing places, the voice of the first
+speaker had a rest. After an hour or two thus occupied, we would move on
+to another point at some distance from the first, and speak again.
+Usually about midday we returned to our boats for dinner, fellowship,
+and prayer, and then resumed our out-door work until dusk. After tea and
+further rest, we would go with our native helpers to some tea-shop,
+where several hours might be spent in free conversation with the people.
+Not infrequently before leaving a town we had good reason to believe
+that much truth had been grasped; and we placed many Scriptures and
+books in the hands of those interested. The following letter was written
+by Mr. Burns to his mother at home in Scotland about this time:--
+
+
+                            "TWENTY-FIVE MILES FROM SHANGHAI,
+                                        _January 26th, 1856_.
+
+          "Taking advantage of a rainy day which confines me
+          to my boat, I pen a few lines, in addition to a
+          letter to Dundee, containing particulars which I
+          need not repeat. It is now forty-one days since I
+          left Shanghai on this last occasion. A young
+          English missionary, Mr. Taylor, of the Chinese
+          Evangelisation Society, has been my companion
+          during these weeks--he in his boat, and I in
+          mine--and we have experienced much mercy, and on
+          some occasions considerable assistance in our
+          work.
+
+          "I must once more tell the story I have had to
+          tell already more than once--how four weeks ago,
+          on December 29th, I put on the Chinese dress,
+          which I am now wearing. Mr. Taylor had made this
+          change a few months before, and I found that he
+          was, in consequence, so much less incommoded in
+          preaching, etc., by the crowd, that I concluded it
+          was my duty to follow his example. We were at that
+          time more than double the distance from Shanghai
+          that we are now, and would still have been at as
+          great a distance had we not met at one place with
+          a band of lawless people, who demanded money and
+          threatened to break our boats if their demands
+          were refused. The boatmen were very much alarmed,
+          and insisted on returning to some place nearer
+          home. These people had previously broken in,
+          violently, a part of Mr. Taylor's boat, because
+          their unreasonable demand for books was not
+          complied with.
+
+          "We have a large, very large, field of labour in
+          this region, though it might be difficult in the
+          meantime for one to establish himself in any
+          particular place; the people listen with
+          attention, but we need the Power from on High to
+          convince and convert. Is there any spirit of
+          prayer on our behalf among GOD's people in
+          Kilsyth? or is there any effort to seek this
+          spirit? How great the need is, and how great the
+          arguments and motives for prayer in this case. The
+          harvest here is indeed great, and the labourers
+          are few, and imperfectly fitted without much grace
+          for such a work. And yet grace can make the few
+          and feeble instruments the means of accomplishing
+          great things--things greater than we can even
+          conceive."
+
+The incident referred to in this letter, which led to our return to
+Shanghai more speedily than we had at first intended, took place on the
+northern border of CHEH-KIANG. We had reached a busy market town known
+by the name of Wu-chen, or Black Town, the inhabitants of which, we had
+been told, were the wildest and most lawless people in that part of the
+country. Such indeed we found them to be: the town was a refuge for salt
+smugglers and other bad characters. The following extracts are taken
+from my journal, written at the time:--
+
+
+                                                  _January 8th, 1856._
+
+Commenced our work in Wu-chen this morning by distributing a large
+number of tracts and some Testaments. The people seemed much surprised,
+and we could not learn that any foreigner had been here before. We
+preached twice--once in the temple of the God of War, and afterwards in
+an empty space left by a fire, which had completely destroyed many
+houses. In the afternoon we preached again to a large and attentive
+audience on the same site; and in the evening adjourned to a tea-shop,
+where we had a good opportunity of speaking until it got noised abroad
+that we were there, when, too many people coming in, we were obliged to
+leave. Our native assistants, Tsien and Kuei-hua, were able, however, to
+remain. Returning to our boats, we spoke to a number of people standing
+on a bridge, and felt we had abundant reason to be thankful and
+encouraged by the result of our first day's labour.
+
+
+                                                   _January 10th._
+
+First sent Tsien and Kuei-hua to distribute some sheet tracts. After
+their return we went with them, and in a space cleared by fire we
+separated, and addressed two audiences. On our return to the boats for
+lunch, we found people waiting, as usual, and desiring books. Some were
+distributed to those who were able to read them; and then asking them
+kindly to excuse us while we took our midday meal, I went into my boat
+and shut the door.
+
+Hardly was there time to pour out a cup of tea when a battering began,
+and the roof was at once broken in. I went out at the back, and found
+four or five men taking the large lumps of frozen earth turned up in a
+field close by--weighing, I should suppose, from seven to fourteen
+pounds each--and throwing them at the boat. Remonstrance was of no
+avail, and it was not long ere a considerable part of the upper
+structure of the boat was broken to pieces, and a quantity of earth
+covered the things inside. Finally, Tsien got a boat that was passing to
+land him at a short distance, and by a few tracts drew away the
+attention of the men, thus ending the assault.
+
+We now learned that of those who had done the mischief only two were
+natives of the place, the others being salt smugglers, and that the
+cause was our not having satisfied their unreasonable demand for books.
+Most providentially no one was injured; and as soon as quiet was
+somewhat restored, we all met in Mr. Burns's boat and joined in
+thanksgiving that we had been preserved from personal harm, praying also
+for the perpetrators of the mischief, and that it might be over-ruled
+for good to us and to those with us. We then took our lunch and went on
+shore, and but a few steps from the boats addressed a large multitude
+that soon assembled. We were specially assisted; never were we heard
+with more attention, and not one voice was found to sympathise with the
+men who had molested us. In the evening, at the tea-shops, the same
+spirit was manifested, and some seemed to hear with joy the glad tidings
+of salvation through a crucified and risen SAVIOUR.
+
+As we came home we passed a barber's shop still open, and I went in, and
+while getting my head shaved had an opportunity of speaking to a few
+people, and afterwards pasted a couple of sheet tracts on the wall for
+the benefit of future customers.
+
+
+                                                      _January 11th._
+
+A respectable shop-keeper of the name of Yao, who on the first or second
+day of our stay at Wu-chen had received portions of the New Testament
+and a tract, came yesterday, when our boat was broken, to beg for some
+more books. At that time we were all in confusion from the damage done,
+and from the earth thrown into the boat, and so invited him to come
+again in a day or two's time, when we would gladly supply him. This
+morning he appeared and handed in the following note:--
+
+"On a former day I begged Burns and Taylor, the two '_Rabbis_,' to give
+me good books. It happened at that time those of our town whose hearts
+were deceived by _Satan_, not knowing the _Son of David_, went so far as
+to dare to '_raca_' and '_moreh_' and injure your respected boat. I
+thank you for promising afterwards to give the books, and beg the
+following: Complete New Testament, 'Discourse of a Good Man when near
+his Death,' 'Important Christian Doctrines,' an Almanack, 'Principles of
+Christianity,' 'Way to make the World happy,'--of each one copy. Sung
+and Tsien, and all teachers I hope are well. Further compliments are
+unwritten."
+
+This note is interesting, as showing that he had been reading the New
+Testament attentively, as the italicised words were all taken from it.
+His use of "raca" and "moreh" for reviling, shows their meaning was not
+lost upon him.
+
+After supplying this man, we went out with Tsien and Kuei-hua to the
+east of the town, and spoke in the street for a short time. Upon
+returning to the boats, I was visited by two CHIH-LI men, who are in the
+magistrate's office here. I was greatly helped in speaking to them of a
+crucified SAVIOUR in the Mandarin dialect; and though one of them did
+not pay much attention, the other did, and made inquiries that showed
+the interest he was feeling. When they had left, I went on shore and
+spoke to the people collected there, to whom Kuei-hua had been
+preaching. The setting sun afforded a parable, and reminded one of the
+words of JESUS, "The night cometh, when no man can work;" and as I spoke
+of the uncertain duration of this life, and of our ignorance as to the
+time of CHRIST'S return, a degree of deep seriousness prevailed that I
+had never previously witnessed in China. I engaged in prayer, and the
+greatest decorum was observed. I then returned to my boat with a
+Buddhist priest who had been in the audience, and he admitted that
+Buddhism was a system of deceit that could give no hope in death.
+
+
+                                                      _January 12th._
+
+In the afternoon we addressed the people on shore close to our boats,
+also in one of the streets of the city, and in a tea-shop, books being
+distributed on each occasion. In the evening we went as usual to speak
+in the tea-shops, but determined to go to the opposite end of the town,
+in order to afford those who lived there a better opportunity of meeting
+with us. It was a long straggling place, nearly two English miles in
+length. As Mr. Burns and I were accustomed to talk together in Chinese,
+this conclusion was known to those in the boats.
+
+After we had proceeded a short distance we changed our minds, and went
+instead to the usual tea-shop, thinking that persons might have gone
+there expecting to meet us. But this was not the case; and we did not
+find such serious hearers as we had done on previous occasions. On this
+account Mr. Burns proposed leaving earlier than usual, and we did so,
+telling Tsien and Kuei-hua that they might remain a little longer.
+Returning to the boats, we gave away a few books; but, singularly
+enough, were left to go alone, no one accompanying us, as is so
+generally the case. Instead of being a clear night, as it was when we
+started, we found that it had become intensely dark. On our way we met
+the boatman, whose manner seemed very strange, and without giving us any
+explanation he blew out the candle of our lantern; we relighted the
+lantern, telling him not to put it out again, when to our surprise he
+deliberately removed the candle and threw it into the canal. He then
+walked down along a low wall jutting out to the river's edge, and gazed
+into the water.
+
+Not knowing what was the matter with him, I ran forward to hold him,
+fearful lest he were going to drown himself; but to my great relief he
+came quietly back. In answer to our repeated questions he told us not to
+speak, for some bad men were seeking to destroy the boats, and they had
+moved away to avoid them. He then led us to the place where one of them
+was lying. Before long Tsien and Kuei-hua came and got safely on board,
+and soon after we were joined by the teacher Sung, and the boat moved
+away.
+
+The cause of all this disturbance was then explained. A man professing
+to be the constable had come to the boats in our absence, with a written
+demand for ten dollars and a quantity of opium. He stated that there
+were more than fifty country people (salt smugglers) awaiting our reply
+in an adjoining tea-shop; and if we gave them what they wanted, and
+three hundred cash to pay for their tea, we might remain in peace; but
+that if not, they would come at once and destroy our boats. Sung told
+them that we could not comply with their demand; for, not being engaged
+in trade, but only in preaching and book-distribution, we had not an
+atom of opium, and that our money was nearly all expended. The man,
+however, told him plainly that he did not believe him, and Sung had no
+alternative but to seek us out, desiring the man to await our reply. Not
+knowing that we had changed our plans, he sought us in the wrong
+direction, and of course in vain.
+
+In the meanwhile the boatmen had succeeded in moving off. They were very
+much alarmed; and having so recently had proof of what these men would
+do in open daylight, felt no desire to experience what they might
+attempt by night. Moving away, therefore, they had separated, so that if
+one boat should be injured the other might afford us a refuge. It was
+after this that we had providentially met the boatman, and had been
+safely led on board. As Sung repassed the place where we were previously
+moored, he saw between the trees a dozen or more men, and heard them
+inquiring where the boats had gone to; but no one could tell.
+Fortunately they sought in vain.
+
+After a while the two boats joined, and rowed together for some time. It
+was already late, and to travel by night in that part of the country was
+not the way to avoid danger from evil men; so the question arose as to
+what should be done. This we left for the boatmen to decide; they had
+moved off of their own accord, and we felt that whatever we personally
+might desire we could not constrain others to remain in a position of
+danger on our account. We urged them, however, to do quickly whatever
+they intended to do, as the morrow was the LORD'S DAY, when we should
+not wish to travel. We also informed them that wherever we were we must
+fulfil our mission, and preach the Gospel; it therefore made but little
+difference where we might stay, for even if we passed the night
+unperceived, we were sure to be found out on the following morning. The
+men consequently concluded that we might as well return to the place
+from which we had started; to this we fully agreed, and they turned back
+accordingly. But--whether by accident or no we could not tell--they got
+into another stream, and rowed for some time they knew not whither. At
+last, as it was very dark, they moored for the night.
+
+We then called all the boatmen together, with our native assistants, and
+read to them the ninety-first Psalm. It may be imagined how appropriate
+to our position and need and how sweetly consoling was this portion of
+GOD'S Word:--
+
+  "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the MOST HIGH
+   Shall abide under the shadow of the ALMIGHTY.
+   I will say of the LORD, _He_ is my refuge and my fortress:
+   My GOD; in Him will I trust.
+
+  "Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,
+   And from the noisome pestilence.
+
+   He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings
+         shalt thou trust:
+   His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
+   Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;
+   Nor for the arrow that flieth by day.
+
+  "Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him.
+   I will set him on high, because he hath known My Name.
+   He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
+   I will be with him in trouble;--I will deliver him, and honour him.
+   With long life will I satisfy him,--and show him My salvation."
+
+Committing ourselves in prayer to His care and keeping Who had covered
+us with thick darkness and permitted us to escape from the hand of the
+violent, we retired for the night; which--thanks to the kind protection
+of the WATCHMAN OF ISRAEL, who neither slumbers nor forgets His
+people--we passed in peace and quietness, and were enabled, in some
+measure, to realise the truth of that precious word, "_Thou_ art my
+_Hiding-place_, and my _Shield_."
+
+
+                                             _Sunday, January 13th._
+
+This morning I was awakened about 4 A.M. by violent pain in the
+knee-joint. I had bruised it the day before, and severe inflammation was
+the result. To my great surprise I heard the rain pouring down in
+torrents, the weather having previously been particularly fine. On
+looking out, we found ourselves so near our former stopping-place, that,
+had nothing happened to prevent it, we should not have felt justified in
+neglecting to go into the town to preach as usual; but the rain was so
+heavy all day that no one could leave the boats. Thus we enjoyed a
+delightful day of rest, such as we had not had for some time; and the
+weather prevented much inquiry being made for us. Had the day been fine
+we should most likely have been discovered, even if we had not left the
+boats. As it was, we were allowed to think in peace, with wonder and
+gratitude, of the gracious dealings of our GOD, who had thus led us
+apart into "a desert place" to rest awhile.
+
+
+                                                _Monday, January 14th._
+
+A cloudless morning. One of the native assistants went before daybreak
+to get some clothes which had been given out for washing. He came back
+with the tidings that, notwithstanding the drenching rain of yesterday,
+men had been seeking us in all directions. We had been kept, however, in
+peace and safety "under the shadow of the Almighty."
+
+The boatmen were now so thoroughly alarmed that they would stay no
+longer, and moved off at dawn. I was confined to my quarters by
+lameness, and had no alternative but to go with them. In the afternoon
+we reached Ping-wang, on the way to Shanghai.
+
+          "Ill that GOD blesses is our good,
+                And unblest good is ill;
+           And all is right that seems most wrong,
+                If it be His sweet will."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+CALLED TO SWATOW
+
+
+HAVING to leave the neighbourhood of Black Town thus unexpectedly was a
+real disappointment to us, as we had hoped to spend some time
+evangelising in that district. We were to prove, however, that no
+unforeseen mischance had happened, but that these circumstances which
+seemed so trying were necessary links in the chain of a divinely ordered
+providence, guiding to other and wider spheres.
+
+GOD does not permit persecution to arise without sufficient reason. . . .
+He was leading us by a way that we knew not; but it was none the less
+His way.
+
+          "O LORD, how happy should we be
+           If we would cast our care on Thee,
+             If we from self would rest;
+           And feel at heart that One above,
+           In perfect wisdom, perfect love,
+             Is working for the best!"
+
+When we reached Shanghai, thinking to return inland in a few days with
+fresh supplies of books and money, we met a Christian captain who had
+been trading at Swatow, and he put very strongly before us the need of
+that region, and the fact that there were British merchants living on
+Double Island, selling opium and engaged in the coolie trade
+(practically a slave traffic), while there was no British missionary to
+preach the Gospel. The SPIRIT OF GOD impressed me with the feeling that
+this was His call, but for days I felt that I could not obey it. I had
+never had such a spiritual father as Mr. Burns; I had never known such
+holy, happy fellowship; and I said to myself that it could not be GOD'S
+will that we should separate.
+
+In great unrest of soul I went one evening, with Mr. Burns, to take tea
+at the house of the Rev. R. Lowrie, of the American Presbyterian
+Mission, at the South Gate of Shanghai. After tea Mrs. Lowrie played
+over to us "The Missionary Call."[2] I had never heard it before, and it
+greatly affected me. My heart was almost broken before it was finished,
+and I said to the LORD, in the words that had been sung--
+
+                        "And I will go!
+  I may no longer doubt to give up friends, and idol hopes,
+  And every tie that binds my heart. . . .
+  Henceforth, then, it matters not, if storm or sunshine
+         be my earthly lot, bitter or sweet my cup;
+  I only pray, GOD, make me holy,
+  And my spirit nerve for the stern hour of strife."
+
+Upon leaving I asked Mr. Burns to come home with me to the little house
+that was still my headquarters in the native city, and there, with many
+tears, told him how the LORD had been leading me, and how rebellious I
+had been and unwilling to leave him for this new sphere of labour. He
+listened with a strange look of surprise, and of pleasure rather than
+pain; and answered that he had determined that very night to tell me
+that he had heard the LORD'S call to Swatow, and that his one regret had
+been the prospect of the severance of our happy fellowship. We went
+together; and thus was recommenced missionary work in that part of
+China, which in later years has been so abundantly blessed.
+
+Long before this time the Rev. R. Lechler, of the Basel Missionary
+Society, had widely itinerated in the neighbourhood of Swatow and the
+surrounding regions. Driven about from place to place, he had done work
+that was not forgotten, although ultimately he was obliged to retire to
+Hong-kong. For more than forty years this earnest-hearted servant of GOD
+has continued in "labours more abundant"; and quite recently he has left
+Hong-kong, with his devoted wife, to return again inland, and spend the
+strength of his remaining years amongst the people he has so long and
+truly loved.
+
+Captain Bowers, the Christian friend who had been used of GOD in
+bringing the needs of Swatow before Mr. Burns and myself, was overjoyed
+when he heard of our decision to devote ourselves to the evangelisation
+of that busy, important, and populous mart. Being about to sail himself
+on his return journey, he gladly offered us free passages on board the
+_Geelong_, in which we left Shanghai early in the month of March 1856.
+
+A favourable journey of six days brought us to Double Island, where we
+found ourselves landed in the midst of a small but very ungodly
+community of foreigners, engaged in the opium trade and other commercial
+enterprises. Unwilling to be in any way identified with these
+fellow-countrymen, we were most desirous of obtaining quarters at once
+within the native city, situated on a promontory of the mainland, five
+miles farther up, at the mouth of the Han river. Great difficulty was
+experienced in this attempt to obtain a footing amongst the people.
+Indeed, it seemed as though we should fail altogether, and we were
+helplessly cast upon the LORD in prayer. Our GOD soon undertook for us.
+Meeting one day with a Cantonese merchant, a relative of the highest
+official in the town, Mr. Burns addressed him in the Cantonese dialect;
+this gentleman was so pleased at being spoken to by a foreigner in his
+own tongue that he became our friend, and secured us a lodging. We had
+only one little room, however, and not easily shall I forget the long
+hot summer months in that oven-like place, where towards the eaves one
+could touch the heated tiles with one's hand. More room or better
+accommodation it was impossible to obtain.
+
+We varied our stay by visits to the surrounding country; but the
+difficulties and dangers that encountered us here were so great and
+constant, that our former work in the North began to appear safe and
+easy in comparison. The hatred and contempt of the Cantonese was very
+painful, "foreign devil," "foreign dog," or "foreign pig" being the
+commonest appellations; but all this led us into deeper fellowship than
+I had ever known before with Him who was "despised and rejected of men."
+
+In our visits to the country we were liable to be seized at any time and
+held to ransom; and the people commonly declared that the whole district
+was "without emperor, without ruler, and without law." Certainly, might
+was right in those days. On one occasion we were visiting a small town,
+and found that the inhabitants had captured a wealthy man of another
+clan. A large ransom was demanded for his release, and on his refusing
+to pay it they had smashed his ankle-bones, one by one, with a club, and
+thus extorted the promise they desired. There was nothing but GOD'S
+protection to prevent our being treated in the same way. The towns were
+all walled, and one such place would contain ten or twenty thousand
+people of the same clan and surname, who were frequently at war with the
+people living in the next town. To be kindly received in one place was
+not uncommonly a source of danger in the next. In circumstances such as
+these the preserving care of our GOD was often manifested.
+
+After a time the local mandarin became ill, and the native doctors were
+unable to relieve him. He had heard from some who had been under my
+treatment of the benefit derived, and was led to seek our help. GOD
+blessed the medicines given, and grateful for relief, he advised our
+renting a house for a hospital and dispensary. Having his permission, we
+were able to secure the entire premises, one room of which we had
+previously occupied. I had left my stock of medicine and surgical
+instruments under the care of my friend, the late Mr. Wylie, in
+Shanghai, and went back at once to fetch them.
+
+Mr. Burns came down from a town called Am-po, that we had visited
+together several times, to see me off, and returned again when I had
+sailed, with two native evangelists sent up from Hong-kong by the Rev.
+J. Johnson, of the American Baptist Missionary Union. The people were
+willing to listen to their preaching, and to accept their books as a
+gift, but they would not buy them. One night robbers broke in and
+carried off everything they had, with the exception of their stock of
+literature, which was supposed to be valueless. Next morning, very
+early, they were knocked up by persons wishing to buy books, and the
+sales continued; so that by breakfast time they had not only cash enough
+to procure food, but to pay also for the passage of one of the men to
+Double Island, below Swatow, with a letter to Mr. Burns's agent to
+supply him with money. Purchasers continued coming during that day and
+the next, and our friends lacked nothing; but on the third day they
+could not sell a single book. Then, however, when the cash from their
+sales was just exhausted, the messenger returned with supplies.
+
+It was early in July, after about four months' residence in Swatow, that
+I left for Shanghai, intending to return in the course of a few weeks,
+bringing with me my medical apparatus, for further work in association
+with the Rev. William Burns. A new and promising field seemed to be
+opening before us, and it was with much hopeful anticipation that we
+looked forward to the future of the work. Marked blessing was indeed in
+store for the city and neighbourhood of Swatow; but it was not the
+purpose of GOD that either of us should remain to reap the harvest. Mr.
+Burns while in the interior was taken up and imprisoned by the Chinese
+authorities soon after I left, and was sent to Canton. And though he
+returned to Swatow after the war had broken out, he was called away for
+other service, which prevented his subsequent return; while my journey
+to Shanghai proved to be the first step in a diverging pathway leading
+to other spheres.
+
+FOOTNOTE:
+
+[2] For words and music see the end of this chapter.
+
+
+[Illustration: Music: The Missionary Call]
+
+"THE MISSIONARY CALL"
+
+  1. My soul is not at rest.
+  There comes a strange
+  and secret whisper to
+  my. . . .
+  spirit, like a dream of night,
+  that tells me
+  I am on enchanted
+  ground.
+
+
+  CHORUS FOR FIRST FOUR VERSES.
+
+  _Vivace._ The voice of my departed LORD, "Go, teach all nations,"
+
+  Comes on the night air and awakes mine ear.
+
+
+  CHORUS FOR LAST VERSE.
+
+  Through ages of eternal years,
+  My spirit never shall repent,
+  that toil and suff'ring once were mine . . . below.
+
+
+  2. Why live I here? the vows of GOD are | on me; | and I may not stop
+  to play with shadows or pluck earthly flowers, | till I my work
+  have done, and | rendered up ac | count.
+
+  3. And I will | go! | I may no longer doubt to give up friends,
+  and idol | hopes, | and every tie that binds my heart to | thee, my |
+  country.
+
+  4. Henceforth, then, it matters not, if storm or sunshine be my |
+  earthly lot, | bitter or sweet my | cup; | I only pray: "GOD make me
+  holy, and my spirit nerve for the stern | hour of strife!"
+
+  5. And when one for whom Satan hath struggled as he hath for | me, |
+  has gained at last that blessed | shore, | Oh! how this heart will
+  glow with | gratitude and | love.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+MAN PROPOSES, GOD DISPOSES
+
+
+IT is interesting to notice the various events which united, in the
+providence of GOD, in preventing my return to Swatow, and ultimately led
+to my settling in Ningpo, and making that the centre for the development
+of future labours.
+
+Upon reaching Shanghai, great was my dismay to find that the premises in
+which my medicines and instruments had been stored were burnt down, and
+that all the medicines and many of the instruments were entirely
+destroyed. To me this appeared a great calamity, and I fear I was more
+disposed with faithless Jacob to say, "All these things are against me,"
+than to recognise that "All things work together for good." I had not
+then learned to think of GOD as the One Great Circumstance "in Whom we
+live, and move, and have our being"; and of _all_ lesser, external
+circumstances, as necessarily the kindest, wisest, best, because either
+ordered or permitted by Him. Hence my disappointment and trial were very
+great.
+
+Medicines were expensive in Shanghai, and my means were limited. I
+therefore set out on an inland journey to Ningpo, hoping to obtain a
+supply from Dr. William Parker, a member of the same mission as myself.
+I took with me my few remaining possessions, the principal being my
+watch, a few surgical instruments, a concertina, books for the study of
+Chinese, which in those days were very expensive; but left behind in
+Shanghai a portion of my money.
+
+The country through which I had to pass was suffering much from drought;
+it was the height of summer; and the water in the Grand Canal was very
+low, having been largely drawn upon for the neighbouring rice fields, as
+well as evaporated by the intense heat. I had determined to make the
+journey as much of a mission tour as possible, and set out well supplied
+with Christian tracts and books. After fourteen days spent in travelling
+slowly through the populous country, preaching and distributing books,
+etc., we reached a large town called Shih-mun-wan, and here, finding
+that my supply of literature was exhausted, I determined not to linger
+over the rest of the journey, but to reach Ningpo as speedily as
+possible, _viâ_ the city of Hai-ning.
+
+
+                                                    _August 4th, 1856._
+
+There was no water beyond Shih-mun-wan, so I paid off my boat, hired
+coolies to carry my things as far as to Chang-gan, and ere sunrise we
+were on the way. I walked on alone, leaving my servant to follow with
+the men, who made frequent stoppages to rest; and on reaching a city
+through which we had to pass, I waited for them in a tea-shop just
+outside the North Gate. The coolies came on very slowly, and seemed
+tired when they arrived. I soon found that they were both opium-smokers,
+so that, although they had only carried a load that one strong man would
+think nothing of taking three times the distance, they really seemed
+wearied.
+
+After some rice and tea and an hour's rest--including, I doubt not, a
+smoke of the opium pipe--they were a little refreshed, and I proposed
+moving on, that we might get to Chang-gan before the sun became too
+powerful. My servant, however, had a friend in the city, and he desired
+to spend the day there, and to go on next morning. But to this I
+objected, wishing to reach Hai-ning that night if possible. . . . We
+therefore set off, entered the North Gate, and had passed through about
+a third of the city, when the coolies stopped to rest, and said they
+should be unable to carry the burden on to Chang-gan. Finally, they
+agreed to take it to the South Gate, where they were to be paid in
+proportion to the distance they had carried it; and the servant
+undertook to call other coolies and come along with them.
+
+I walked on before as in the first instance, and the distance being only
+about four miles, soon reached Chang-gan, and waited their arrival,
+meanwhile engaging coolies for the rest of the journey to Hai-ning.
+Having waited a long time, I began to wonder at the delay; and at length
+it became too late to finish the journey to Hai-ning that night. I felt
+somewhat annoyed; and but that my feet were blistered, and the afternoon
+very hot, I should have gone back to meet them and urge them on. At last
+I concluded that my servant must have gone to his friend's, and would
+not appear until evening. But evening came, and still there was no sign
+of them.
+
+Feeling very uneasy, I began diligently to inquire whether they had been
+seen. At last a man responded, "Are you a guest from Shih-mun-wan?" I
+answered in the affirmative. "Are you going to Hai-ning?" "That is my
+destination." "Then your things have gone on before you; for I was
+sitting in a tea-shop when a coolie came in, took a cup of tea, and set
+off for Hai-ning in a great hurry, saying that the bamboo box and bed he
+carried, which were just such as you describe yours to have been, were
+from Shih-mun-wan, and he had to take them to Hai-ning to-night, where
+he was to be paid at the rate of ten cash a pound." From this I
+concluded that my goods were on before me; but it was impossible to
+follow them at once, for I was too tired to walk, and it was already
+dark.
+
+Under these circumstances all I could do was to seek a lodging for the
+night; and no easy task I found it. After raising my heart to GOD to ask
+His aid, I walked through to the farther end of the town, where I
+thought the tidings of a foreigner's being in the place might not have
+spread, and looked out for an inn. I soon came to one, and went in,
+hoping that I might pass unquestioned, as it was already dark. Asking
+the bill of fare, I was told that cold rice--which proved to be more
+than "rather burnt"--and snakes, fried in lamp-oil, were all that could
+be had. Not wishing any question to be raised as to my nationality, I
+was compelled to order some, and tried to make a meal, but with little
+success.
+
+While thus engaged I said to the landlord, "I suppose I can arrange to
+spend the night here?"
+
+To which he replied in the affirmative; but bringing out his book, he
+added--
+
+"In these unsettled times we are required by the authorities to keep a
+record of our lodgers: may I ask your respected family name?"
+
+"My unworthy family name is Tai," I responded.
+
+"And your honourable second name?"
+
+"My humble name is Ia-koh" (James).
+
+"What an extraordinary name! I never heard it before. How do you write
+it?"
+
+I told him, and added, "It is a common name in the district from which I
+come."
+
+"And may I ask whence you come and whither you are going?"
+
+"I am journeying from Shanghai to Ningpo, by way of Hang-chau."
+
+"What may be your honourable profession?"
+
+"I heal the sick."
+
+"Oh! you are a physician," the landlord remarked; and to my intense
+relief closed the book. His wife, however, took up the conversation.
+
+"You are a physician, are you?" said she; "I am glad of that, for I have
+a daughter afflicted with leprosy. If you will cure her, you shall have
+your supper and bed for nothing."
+
+I was curious enough to inquire what my supper and bed were to cost, if
+paid for; and to my amusement found they were worth less than
+three-halfpence of our money!
+
+Being unable to benefit the girl, I declined to prescribe for her,
+saying that leprosy was a very intractable disease, and that I had no
+medicines with me.
+
+The mother, however, brought pen and paper, urging, "You can at least
+write a prescription, which will do no harm, if it does no good."
+
+But this also I declined to do, and requested to be shown my bed. I was
+conducted to a very miserable room on the ground-floor, where, on some
+boards raised upon two stools, I passed the night, without bed or
+pillow, save my umbrella and shoe, and without any mosquito netting. Ten
+or eleven other lodgers were sleeping in the same room, so I could not
+take anything off, for fear of its being stolen; but I was, I found, by
+no means too warm as midnight came on.
+
+
+                                                    _August 5th._
+
+As may be supposed, I arose but little rested or refreshed, and felt
+very far from well. I had to wait a long time ere breakfast was
+obtainable, and then there was another delay before I could get change
+for the only dollar I had with me, in consequence of its being chipped
+in one or two places. More than three hundred cash also were deducted
+from its price on this account, which was a serious loss to me in my
+trying position.
+
+I then sought throughout the town for tidings of my servant and coolies,
+as I thought it possible that they might have arrived later, or have
+come on in the morning. The town is large, long, and straggling, being
+nearly two miles from one end to the other, so this occupied some time.
+I gained no information, however; and, footsore and weary, set out for
+Hai-ning in the full heat of the day. The journey--about eight
+miles--took me a long time; but a halfway village afforded a
+resting-place and a cup of tea, both of which I gladly availed myself
+of. When about to leave again, a heavy shower of rain came on, and the
+delay thus occasioned enabled me to speak a little to the people about
+the truths of the Gospel.
+
+The afternoon was far spent before I approached the northern suburb of
+Hai-ning, where I commenced inquiries, but could hear no tidings of my
+servant or things. I was told that outside the East Gate I should be
+more likely to hear of them, as it was there the sea-junks called. I
+therefore proceeded thither, and sought for them outside the Little East
+Gate, but in vain. Very weary, I sat down in a tea-shop to rest; and
+while there a number of persons from one of the mandarin's offices came
+in, and made inquiries as to who I was, where I had come from, etc. On
+learning the object of my search, one of the men in the tea-shop said,
+"A bamboo box and a bed, such as you describe, were carried past here
+about half an hour ago. The bearer seemed to be going towards either the
+Great East Gate or the South Gate; you had better go to the hongs there
+and inquire." I asked him to accompany me in the search, and promised to
+reward him for his trouble, but he would not. Another man offered to go
+with me, so we set off together, and both inside and outside the two
+gates made diligent inquiries, but all in vain. I then engaged a man to
+make a thorough search, promising him a liberal reward if he should be
+successful. In the meantime I had some dinner, and addressed a large
+concourse of people who had gathered together.
+
+When he returned, having met with no success, I said to him, "I am now
+quite exhausted: will you help me to find quarters for the night, and
+then I will pay you for your trouble?" He was willing to befriend me,
+and we set off in search of lodgings. At the first place or two the
+people would not receive me; for though on our first going in they
+seemed willing to do so, the presence of a man who followed us, and who,
+I found, was engaged in one of the Government offices, seemed to alarm
+them, and I was refused. We now went to a third place, and being no
+longer followed by the mandarin's messenger, we were promised quarters;
+some tea was brought, and I paid the man who had accompanied me for his
+trouble.
+
+Soon after he was gone some official people came in; they soon went
+away, but the result of their visit was that I was told I could not be
+entertained there that night. A young man present blamed them for their
+heartless behaviour, and said, "Never mind, come with me; and if we
+cannot get better lodgings for you, you shall sleep at our house." I
+went with him, but we found the people of his house unwilling to receive
+me. Weary and footsore, so that I could scarcely stand, I had again to
+seek quarters, and at length got promise of them; but a little crowd
+collecting about the door, they desired me to go to a tea-shop and wait
+there till the people had retired, or they would be unable to
+accommodate me. There was no help for it, so I went, accompanied still
+by the young man, and waited till past midnight. Then we left for the
+promised resting-place; but my conductor would not find it, and he led
+me about to another part of the city; and finally, between one and two
+o'clock, he left me to pass the rest of the night as best I could.
+
+I was opposite a temple, but it was closed; so I lay down on the stone
+steps in front of it, and putting my money under my head for a pillow,
+should soon have been asleep in spite of the cold had I not perceived a
+person coming stealthily towards me. As he approached I saw he was one
+of the beggars so common in China, and had no doubt his intention was to
+rob me of my money. I did not stir, but watched his movements, and
+looked to my FATHER not to leave me in this hour of trial. The man came
+up, looked at me for some time to assure himself that I was asleep (it
+was so dark that he could not see my eyes fixed on him), and then began
+to feel about me gently. I said to him in the quietest tone, but so as
+to convince him that I was not, nor had been, sleeping, "What do you
+want?" He made no answer, but went away.
+
+I was very thankful to see him go, and when he was out of sight put as
+much of my cash as would not go into my pocket safely up my sleeve, and
+made my pillow of a stone projection of the wall. It was not long ere I
+began to doze, but I was aroused by the all but noiseless footsteps of
+two persons approaching; for my nervous system was rendered so sensitive
+by exhaustion that the slightest noise startled me. Again I sought
+protection from Him who alone was my stay, and lay still as before, till
+one of them came up and began to feel under my head for the cash. I
+spoke again, and they sat down at my feet. I asked them what they were
+doing; they replied that they, like me, were going to pass the night
+there. I then requested them to take the opposite side, as there was
+plenty of room, and leave this side to me; but they would not move from
+my feet, so I raised myself up and set my back against the wall.
+
+They said, "You had better lie down and sleep; if you do not, you will
+be unable to walk to-morrow. Do not be afraid; we shall not leave you,
+and will see that no one hurts you."
+
+"Listen to me," I replied. "I do not want your protection; I need it
+not; I am not a Chinese; I do not worship your senseless, helpless
+idols. I worship GOD; He is my FATHER; I trust in Him. I know well what
+you are, and what your intentions are, and shall keep my eye on you, and
+shall not sleep."
+
+On this, one of them went away, but soon returned with a third
+companion. I felt very uneasy, but looked to GOD for help. Once or twice
+one of them got up to see if I was asleep. I only said, "Do not be
+mistaken; I am not sleeping." Occasionally my head dropped, and this was
+a signal for one of them to rise; but I at once roused myself and made
+some remark. As the night slowly passed on, I felt very weary; and to
+keep myself awake, as well as to cheer my mind, I sang several hymns,
+repeated aloud some portions of Scripture, and engaged in prayer in
+English, to the great annoyance of my companions, who seemed as if they
+would have given anything to get me to desist. After that they troubled
+me no more; and shortly before dawn of day they left me, and I got a
+little sleep.
+
+
+                                                    _August 6th._
+
+I was awakened by the young man who had so misled me on the previous
+evening. He was very rude, and insisted on my getting up and paying him
+for his trouble, and even went so far as to try to accomplish by force
+what he wanted. This roused me; and in an unguarded moment, with very
+improper feeling, I seized his arm with such a grasp as he little
+expected I was capable of, and dared him to lay a finger upon me again
+or to annoy me further. This quite changed his manner; he let me quietly
+remain till the guns announced the opening of the gates of the city, and
+then he begged me to give him some money to buy opium with. It is
+needless to say this was refused. I gave him the price of two candles,
+that he said he had burnt while with me last night and no more. I
+learned he was connected with one of the mandarin's offices.
+
+As soon as possible, I bought some rice gruel and tea for breakfast, and
+then once more made a personal search after my things. Some hours thus
+spent proving unavailing, I set out on the return journey, and after a
+long, weary, and painful walk reached Chang-gan about noon. Here also my
+inquiries failed to give me any trace of the missing goods; so I had a
+meal cooked in a tea-shop, got a thorough wash and bathed my inflamed
+feet, and after dinner rested and slept till four in the afternoon.
+
+Much refreshed, I then set on to return to the city, at the South Gate
+of which I had parted with my servant and coolies two days before. On
+the way I was led to reflect on the goodness of GOD, and recollected
+that I had not made it a matter of prayer that I might be provided with
+lodgings last night. I felt condemned, too, that I should have been so
+anxious for my few things, while the many precious souls around me had
+caused so little emotion. I came as a sinner and pleaded the blood of
+JESUS, realising that I was accepted in Him--pardoned, cleansed,
+sanctified--and oh the love of JESUS, how great I felt it to be! I knew
+something more than I had ever previously known of what it was to be
+despised and rejected, and to have nowhere to lay one's head; and I felt
+more than ever I had done before the greatness of that love which
+induced Him to leave His home in glory and suffer thus for me; nay, to
+lay down His very life upon the Cross. I thought of Him as "despised and
+rejected of men, a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief"; I thought
+of Him at Jacob's well, weary, hungry, and thirsty, yet finding it His
+meat and drink to do His Father's will; and contrasted this with my
+littleness of love. I looked to Him for pardon for the past, and for
+grace and strength to do His will in the future, to tread more closely
+in His footsteps, and be more than ever wholly His. I prayed for myself,
+for friends in England, and for my brethren in the work. Sweet tears of
+mingled joy and sorrow flowed freely, the road was almost forgotten, and
+before I was aware of it I had reached my destination. Outside the South
+Gate I took a cup of tea, asked about my lost luggage, and spoke of the
+love of JESUS. Then I entered the city, and after many vain inquiries
+left it by the North Gate.
+
+I felt so much refreshed both in mind and body by the communion I had on
+my walk to the city that I thought myself able to finish the remaining
+six miles back to Shih-mun-wan that evening. First I went into another
+tea-shop to buy some native cakes, and was making a meal of them when
+who should come in but one of the identical coolies who had carried my
+things the first stage. From him I learned that after I left them they
+had taken my luggage to the South Gate; there my servant went away,
+saying on his return that I had gone on, that he did not intend to start
+at once, but would spend the day with his friend, and then rejoin me;
+they carried the things to this friend's house, and left them there. I
+got him to go with me to the house, and there learned that the man had
+spent the day and night with them, and next morning had called other
+coolies, and set off for Hang-chau. This was all I could gather; so,
+unable to do anything but proceed on my return journey to Shanghai with
+all expedition, I left the city again. It was now too late to go on to
+Shih-mun-wan. I looked to my FATHER as able to supply all my need, and
+received another token of His ceaseless love and care, being invited to
+sleep on a hong-boat, now dry in the bed of the river. The night was
+again very cold and the mosquitoes troublesome. Still, I got a little
+rest, and at sunrise was up and continued my journey.
+
+
+                                                    _August 7th._
+
+I felt very ill at first, and had a sore throat, but reflected on the
+wonderful goodness of GOD in enabling me to bear the heat by day and the
+cold by night so long. I felt also that quite a load was now taken off
+my mind. I had committed myself and my affairs to the LORD, and knew
+that if it was for my good and for His glory my things would be
+restored; if not, all would be for the best. I hoped that the most
+trying part of my journey was now drawing to a close, and this helped
+me, weary and footsore, on the way. When I got to Shih-mun-wan and had
+breakfasted, I found I had still eight hundred and ten cash in hand; and
+I knew that the hong-boat fare to Kia-hing Fu was one hundred and twenty
+cash, and thence to Shanghai three hundred and sixty, leaving me just
+three hundred and thirty cash--or twelve pence and a fraction--for three
+or four days provisions. I went at once to the boat office, but to my
+dismay found that from the dry state of the river goods had not come
+down, so that no boat would leave to-day and perhaps none to-morrow. I
+inquired if there were no letter-boats for Kia-hing Fu, and was told
+that they had already left. The only remaining resource was to ascertain
+if any private boats were going in which I could get a passage. My
+search, however, was in vain; and I could get no boat to undertake to go
+all the way to Shanghai, or my difficulty would have been at an end.
+
+Just at this juncture I saw before me, at a turn in the canal, a
+letter-boat going in the direction of Kia-hing Fu This, I concluded,
+must be one of the Kia-hing boats that had been unexpectedly detained,
+and I set off after it as fast as hope and the necessities of the case
+would carry me. For the time being weariness and sore feet were alike
+forgotten. After a chase of about a mile I overtook it.
+
+"Are you going to Kia-hing Fu?" I called out.
+
+"No," was the only answer.
+
+"Are you going in that direction?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Will you give me a passage as far as you do go that way?"
+
+Still "No," and nothing more.
+
+Completely dispirited and exhausted, I sank down on the grass and
+fainted away.
+
+As consciousness returned some voices reached my ear, and I found they
+were talking about me. One said, "He speaks pure Shanghai dialect," and
+from their own speech I knew them to be Shanghai people. Raising myself,
+I saw that they were on a large hong-boat on the other side of the
+canal, and after a few words they sent their small boat to fetch me, and
+I went on board the junk. They were very kind, and gave me some tea; and
+when I was refreshed and able to partake of it, some food also. I then
+took my shoes and stockings off to ease my feet, and the boatman kindly
+provided me with hot water to bathe them. When they heard my story, and
+saw the blisters on my feet, they evidently pitied me, and hailed every
+boat that passed to see if it was going my way. Not finding one, by and
+by, after a few hours' sleep, I went ashore with the captain, intending
+to preach in the temple of Kwan-ti.
+
+Before leaving the junk I told the captain and those on board that I was
+now unable to help myself; that I had not strength to walk to Kia-hing
+Fu, and having been disappointed in getting a passage to-day, I should
+no longer have sufficient means to take me there by letter-boat, which
+was an expensive mode of travelling; that I knew not how the GOD whom I
+served would help me, but that I had no doubt He would do so; and that
+my business now was to serve Him where I was. I also told them that the
+help which I knew would come ought to be an evidence to them of the
+truth of the religion which I and the other missionaries at Shanghai
+preached.
+
+On our way to the town, while engaged in conversation with the captain,
+we saw a letter-boat coming up. The captain drew my attention to it; but
+I reminded him that I had no longer the means of paying my passage by
+it. He hailed it, nevertheless, and found that it was going to a place
+about nine English miles from Shanghai, whence one of the boatmen would
+carry the mails overland to the city. He then said, "This gentleman is a
+foreigner from Shanghai, who has been robbed, and has no longer the
+means of returning. If you will take him with you as far as you go, and
+then engage a sedan chair to carry him the rest of the way, he will pay
+you in Shanghai. You see my boat is lying aground yonder for want of
+water, and cannot get away. Now, I will stand surety; and if this
+gentleman does not pay when you get to Shanghai, I will do so on your
+return." This unsolicited kindness on the part of a Chinaman, a perfect
+stranger, will appear the more remarkable to any one acquainted with the
+character of the Chinese, who are generally most reluctant to risk their
+money. Those on the letter-boat agreeing to the terms, I was taken on
+board as a passenger. Oh, how thankful I felt for this providential
+interposition, and to be once more on my way to Shanghai!
+
+Letter-boats such as the one on which I was now travelling are of a
+long narrow build, and very limited as to their inside accommodation.
+One has to lie down all the time they are in motion, as a slight
+movement would easily upset them. This was no irksome condition to me,
+however; on the contrary, I was only too glad to be quiet. They are the
+quickest boats I have seen in China. Each one is worked by two men, who
+relieve one another continuously night and day. They row with their
+feet, and paddle with their hands; or if the wind is quite favourable,
+row with their feet, and with one hand manage a small sail, while
+steering with the other.
+
+After a pleasant and speedy journey, I reached Shanghai in safety on
+August 9th, through the help of Him who has said, "I will never leave
+thee, nor forsake thee;" "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of
+the world."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+PROVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE
+
+
+IT now seemed very clear that the lost property--including everything I
+possessed in China, with the exception of a small sum of money
+providentially left in Shanghai--had been deliberately stolen by my
+servant, who had gone off with it to Hang-chau. The first question, of
+course, was how best to act for the good of the man who had been the
+cause of so much trouble. It would not have been difficult to take steps
+that would have led to his punishment; though the likelihood of any
+reparation being made for the loss sustained was very small. But the
+consideration which weighed most heavily was that the thief was a man
+for whose salvation I had laboured and prayed; and I felt that to
+prosecute him would not be to emphasise the teaching of the Sermon on
+the Mount, in which we had read together, "Resist not evil," and other
+similar precepts. Finally, concluding that his soul was of more value
+than the £40 worth of things I had lost, I wrote and told him this,
+urging upon him his need of repentance and faith in the LORD JESUS
+CHRIST. The course I took commended itself to my Christian friends in
+England, one of whom was afterwards led to send me a cheque for £40--the
+first of many subsequently received from the same kind helper.
+
+Having obtained the little money left in Shanghai, I again set out for
+Ningpo, to seek assistance from Dr. Parker in replacing the medicines I
+had previously lost by fire. This being satisfactorily accomplished, I
+returned once more to Shanghai, _en route_ for Swatow, hoping soon to
+rejoin my much-loved friend, Mr. Burns, in the work in that important
+centre. GOD had willed it otherwise, however; and the delay caused by
+the robbery was just sufficient to prevent me from starting for the
+South as I had intended.
+
+Over the political horizon storm-clouds had long been gathering,
+precursors of coming war; and early in October of this year (1856) the
+affair of the Lorcha _Arrow_ at Canton led to the definite commencement
+of hostilities. Very soon China was deeply involved in a second
+prolonged struggle with foreign powers; and missionary operations, in
+the South at any rate, had to be largely suspended. Tidings of these
+events, together with letters from Mr. Burns, arrived just in time to
+meet me in Shanghai as I was leaving for Swatow; and thus hindered, I
+could not but realise the hand of GOD in closing the door I had so much
+desired to enter.
+
+While in Ningpo, I had made the acquaintance of Mr. John Jones, who,
+with Dr. Parker, represented the Chinese Evangelisation Society in that
+city. Hindered from returning to Swatow, I now decided to join these
+brethren in the Ningpo work, and set out at once upon the journey. On
+the afternoon of the second day, when already about thirty miles distant
+from Shanghai, Mr. Jones and I drew near the large and important city of
+Sung-kiang, and I spoke of going ashore to preach the Gospel to the
+thronging multitudes that lined the banks and crowded the approaches to
+the city gates.
+
+Among the passengers on board the boat was one intelligent man, who in
+the course of his travels had been a good deal abroad, and had even
+visited England, where he went by the name of Peter. As might be
+expected, he had heard something of the Gospel, but had never
+experienced its saving power. On the previous evening I had drawn him
+into earnest converse about his soul's salvation. The man listened with
+attention, and was even moved to tears, but still no definite result was
+apparent. I was pleased, therefore, when he asked to be allowed to
+accompany me, and to hear me preach.
+
+I went into the cabin of the boat to prepare tracts and books for
+distribution on landing with my Chinese friend, when suddenly I was
+startled by a splash and a cry from without. I sprang on deck, and took
+in the situation at a glance. Peter was gone! The other men were all
+there, on board, looking helplessly at the spot where he had
+disappeared, but making no effort to save him. A strong wind was
+carrying the junk rapidly forward in spite of a steady current in the
+opposite direction, and the low-lying, shrubless shore afforded no
+landmark to indicate how far we had left the drowning man behind.
+
+I instantly let down the sail and leapt overboard in the hope of finding
+him. Unsuccessful, I looked around in agonising suspense, and saw close
+to me a fishing-boat with a peculiar drag-net furnished with hooks,
+which I knew would bring him up.
+
+"Come!" I cried, as hope revived in my heart. "Come and drag over this
+spot directly; a man is drowning just here!"
+
+"Veh bin" (It is not convenient), was the unfeeling answer.
+
+"Don't talk of _convenience_!" cried I in an agony; "a man is drowning,
+I tell you!"
+
+"We are busy fishing," they responded, "and cannot come."
+
+"Never mind your fishing," I said, "I will give you more money than many
+a day's fishing will bring; only come--come at once!"
+
+"How much money will you give us?"
+
+"We cannot stay to discuss that now! Come, or it will be too late. I
+will give you five dollars" (then worth about thirty shillings in English
+money).
+
+"We won't do it for that," replied the men. "Give us twenty dollars, and
+we will drag."
+
+"I do not possess so much: do come quickly, and I will give you all I
+have!"
+
+"How much may that be?"
+
+"I don't know exactly, about fourteen dollars."
+
+At last, but even then slowly enough, the boat was paddled over, and the
+net let down. Less than a minute sufficed to bring up the body of the
+missing man. The fishermen were clamorous and indignant because their
+exorbitant demand was delayed while efforts at resuscitation were being
+made. But all was in vain--life was extinct.
+
+To myself this incident was profoundly sad and full of significance,
+suggesting a far more mournful reality. Were not those fishermen
+actually guilty of this poor Chinaman's death, in that they had the
+means of saving him at hand, if they would but have used them? Assuredly
+they were guilty. And yet, let us pause ere we pronounce judgment
+against them, lest a greater than Nathan answer, "_Thou art the man_."
+Is it so hard-hearted, so wicked a thing to neglect to save the body? Of
+how much sorer punishment, then, is he worthy who leaves the soul to
+perish, and Cain-like says, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The LORD JESUS
+commands, commands _me_, commands _you_, my brother, and _you_, my
+sister. "Go," says He, "go ye into _all_ the world, and preach the
+Gospel to _every_ creature." Shall we say to _Him_, "No, it is not
+convenient"? shall we tell _Him_ that we are busy fishing and cannot
+go? that we have bought a piece of ground and cannot go? that we have
+purchased five yoke of oxen, or have married, or are engaged in other
+and more interesting pursuits, and cannot go? Ere long "we must all
+appear before the judgment seat of CHRIST; that every one may receive
+the things done in his body." Let us remember, let us pray for, let us
+labour for the unevangelised Chinese; _or we shall sin against our own
+souls_. Let us consider _Who_ it is that has said, "If thou _forbear_ to
+deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be
+slain; if thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that
+pondereth the heart consider it? and He that keepeth _thy_ soul, doth
+not he know it? and shall not He render to every man according to his
+works?"
+
+          Through midnight gloom from Macedon,
+          The cry of myriads as of one;
+          The voiceful silence of despair
+          Is eloquent in awful prayer:
+          The soul's exceeding bitter cry,
+          "Come o'er and help us, or we die."
+
+          How mournfully it echoes on,
+          For half the earth is Macedon;
+          These brethren to their brethren call,
+          And by the Love which loves them all,
+          And by the whole world's Life they cry,
+          "O ye that live, behold we die!"
+
+          By other sounds the world is won
+          Than that which wails from Macedon;
+          The roar of gain is round it rolled,
+          Or men unto themselves are sold,
+          And cannot list the alien cry,
+          "O hear and help us, lest we die!"
+
+          Yet with that cry from Macedon
+          The very car of CHRIST rolls on:
+          "_I come; who would abide My day,_
+          _In yonder wilds prepare My way;_
+          _My voice is crying in their cry,_
+          _Help ye the dying, lest ye die_."
+
+          JESU, for men of Man the SON,
+          Yea, THINE the cry from Macedon;
+          Oh, by the kingdom and the power
+          And glory of Thine advent hour,
+          Wake heart and will to hear their cry:
+          Help us to help them, lest we die.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+SETTLEMENT IN NINGPO
+
+
+THE autumn of 1856 was well advanced before I reached Ningpo, one of the
+most ancient and influential cities on the coast of China. Opened to the
+residence of foreigners in 1842 by the treaty of Nan-king, it had long
+been the scene of missionary labours. Within its thronging thoroughfares
+the busy tide of life runs high. Four hundred thousand human beings
+dwell within or around the five miles circuit of its ancient wall, every
+one a soul that JESUS loves, for whom He died.
+
+As winter drew on I rented a native house in Wu-gyiao-deo, or Lake Head
+Street. It was not then a very comfortable residence. I have a very
+distinct remembrance of tracing my initials on the snow which during the
+night had collected upon my coverlet in the large barn-like upper room,
+now subdivided into four or five smaller ones, each of which is
+comfortably ceiled. The tiling of an unceiled Chinese house may keep off
+the rain--if it happens to be sound--but it does not afford so good a
+protection against snow, which will beat up through crannies and
+crevices, and find its way within. But however unfinished may have been
+its fittings, the little house was well adapted for work amongst the
+people; and there I thankfully settled down, finding ample scope for
+service,--morning, noon, and night.
+
+During the latter part of this year my mind was greatly exercised about
+continued connection with my Society, it being frequently in debt.
+Personally I had always avoided debt, and kept within my salary, though
+at times only by very careful economy. Now there was no difficulty in
+doing this, for my income was larger, and the country being in a more
+peaceful state, things were not so dear. But the Society itself was in
+debt. The quarterly bills which I and others were instructed to draw
+were often met by borrowed money, and a correspondence commenced which
+terminated in the following year by my resigning from conscientious
+motives.
+
+To me it seemed that the teaching of GOD'S Word was unmistakably clear:
+"Owe no man any thing." To borrow money implied, to my mind, a
+contradiction of Scripture--a confession that GOD had withheld some good
+thing, and a determination to get for ourselves what He had not given.
+Could that which was wrong for one Christian to do be right for an
+association of Christians? Or could any amount of precedents make a
+wrong course justifiable? If the Word taught me anything, it taught me
+to have no connection with debt. I could not think that GOD was poor,
+that He was short of resources, or unwilling to supply any want of
+whatever work was really His. It seemed to me that if there were lack of
+funds to carry on work, then to that degree, in that special
+development, or at that time, it could not be the work of GOD. To
+satisfy my conscience I was therefore compelled to resign connection
+with the Society which had hitherto supplied my salary.
+
+It was a great satisfaction to me that my friend and colleague, Mr.
+Jones, also of the Chinese Evangelisation Society, was led to take the
+same step; and we were both profoundly thankful that the separation
+took place without the least breach of friendly feeling on either side.
+Indeed, we had the joy of knowing that the step we took commended itself
+to several members of the Committee, although as a whole the Society
+could not come to our position. Depending upon GOD alone for supplies,
+we were enabled to continue a measure of connection with our former
+supporters, sending home journals, etc., for publication as before, so
+long as the Society continued to exist.
+
+The step we had taken was not a little trying to faith. I was not at all
+sure what GOD would have me do, or whether He would so meet my need as
+to enable me to continue working as before. I had no friends whatever
+from whom I expected supplies. I did not know what means the LORD might
+use; but I was willing to give up all my time to the service of
+evangelisation among the heathen, if by any means He would supply the
+smallest amount on which I could live; and if He were not pleased to do
+this, I was prepared to undertake whatever work might be necessary to
+supply myself, giving all the time that could be spared from such a
+calling to more distinctly missionary efforts. But GOD blessed and
+prospered me; and how glad and thankful I felt when the separation was
+really effected! I could look right up into my FATHER'S face with a
+satisfied heart, ready, by His grace, to do the next thing as He might
+teach me, and feeling very sure of His loving care.
+
+And how blessedly He did lead me on and provide for me I can never,
+never tell. It was like a continuation of some of my earlier home
+experiences. My faith was not untried; it often, often failed, and I was
+so sorry and ashamed of the failure to trust such a FATHER. But oh! I
+was learning to know Him. I would not even then have missed the trial.
+He became so near, so real, so intimate. The occasional difficulty about
+funds never came from an insufficient supply for personal needs, but in
+consequence of ministering to the wants of scores of the hungry and
+dying ones around us. And trials far more searching in other ways quite
+eclipsed these difficulties; and being deeper, brought forth in
+consequence richer fruits. How glad one is now, not only to know, with
+dear Miss Havergal, that----
+
+          "They who trust Him wholly
+              Find Him wholly true,"
+
+but also that when we fail to trust fully He still remains unchangingly
+faithful. He _is_ wholly true whether we trust or not. "If we believe
+not, He abideth faithful; He cannot deny Himself." But oh, how we
+dishonour our LORD whenever we fail to trust Him, and what peace,
+blessing, and triumph we lose in thus sinning against the Faithful One!
+May we never again presume in anything to doubt Him!
+
+The year 1857 was a troublous time, and closed with the notorious
+bombardment of Canton by the British, and the commencement of our second
+Chinese war. Rumours of trouble were everywhere rife, and in many places
+the missionaries passed through not a little danger. In Ningpo this was
+especially the case, and the preserving care of GOD in answer to prayer
+was consequently most marked. When the awful news of the bombardment of
+Canton reached the Cantonese in Ningpo their wrath and indignation knew
+no bounds, and they immediately set to work to plot the destruction of
+all the foreigners resident in the city and neighbourhood. It was well
+known that many of the foreigners were in the habit of meeting for
+worship every Sunday evening at one of the missionary houses, and the
+plan was to surround the place on a given occasion and make short work
+of all present, cutting off afterwards any who might not be present.
+
+The sanction of the Tao-t'ai, or chief civil magistrate of the city, was
+easily obtained; and nothing remained to hinder the execution of the
+plot, of which the foreigners were of course entirely in ignorance. (A
+similar plot against the Portuguese a few months later was carried out,
+and between fifty and sixty were massacred in open daylight.) It so
+happened, however, that one of those acquainted with the conspiracy had
+a friend engaged in the service of the missionaries; and anxious for his
+safety, he was led to warn him of the coming danger, and urge his
+leaving foreign employ. The servant made the matter known to his master,
+and thus the little community became aware of their peril. Realising the
+gravity of the situation, they determined to meet together at the house
+of one of their number to seek the protection of the Most High, and to
+hide under the shadow of His wings. Nor did they thus meet in vain.
+
+At the very time we were praying the LORD was working. He led an
+inferior mandarin, the Superintendent of Customs, to call upon the
+Tao-t'ai, and remonstrate with him upon the folly of permitting such an
+attempt, which he assured him would rouse the foreigners in other places
+to come with armed forces to avenge the death of their countrymen and
+raze the city to the ground. The Tao-t'ai replied that, when the
+foreigners came for that purpose, he should deny all knowledge of or
+complicity in the plot, and so direct their vengeance against the
+Cantonese, who would in their turn be destroyed; "and thus," said he,
+"we shall get rid of both Cantonese and foreigners by one stroke of
+policy." The Superintendent of Customs assured him that all such
+attempts at evasion would be useless; and, finally, the Tao-t'ai sent to
+the Cantonese, withdrawing his permission, and prohibiting the attack.
+This took place at the very time when we were asking protection of the
+LORD, though we did not become acquainted with the facts until some
+weeks later. Thus again we were led to prove that--
+
+          "Sufficient is His arm alone,
+              And our defence is sure."
+
+I cannot attempt to give any historical record of the events of this
+period, but ere 1857 terminated Mr. Jones and I were cheered by tokens
+of blessing. It is interesting to recall the circumstances connected
+with the first profession of faith in Christ, which encouraged us.
+
+On one occasion I was preaching the glad tidings of salvation through
+the finished work of CHRIST, when a middle-aged man stood up, and
+testified before his assembled countrymen to his faith in the power of
+the Gospel.
+
+"I have long sought for the Truth," said he earnestly, "as my fathers
+did before me; but I have never found it. I have travelled far and near,
+but without obtaining it. I have found no rest in Confucianism,
+Buddhism, or Taoism; but I do find rest in what I have heard here
+to-night. Henceforth I am a believer in JESUS."
+
+This man was one of the leading officers of a sect of reformed Buddhists
+in Ningpo. A short time after his confession of faith in the SAVIOUR
+there was a meeting of the sect over which he had formerly presided. I
+accompanied him to that meeting, and there, to his former
+co-religionists, he testified of the peace he had obtained in believing.
+Soon after, one of his former companions was converted and baptized.
+Both now sleep in JESUS. The first of these two long continued to preach
+to his countrymen the glad tidings of great joy. A few nights after his
+conversion he asked how long this Gospel had been known in England. He
+was told that we had known it for some hundreds of years.
+
+"What!" said he, amazed; "is it possible that for hundreds of years you
+have had the knowledge of these glad tidings in your possession, and yet
+have only now come to preach it to us? My father sought after the Truth
+for more than twenty years, and died without finding it. Oh, why did you
+not come sooner?"
+
+A whole generation has passed away since that mournful inquiry was made;
+but how many, alas! might repeat the same question to-day? More than two
+hundred millions in the meanwhile have been swept into eternity, without
+an offer of salvation. How long shall this continue, and the MASTER'S
+words, "To every creature," remain unheeded?
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+TIMELY SUPPLIES
+
+
+NOT infrequently our GOD brings His people into difficulties on purpose
+that they may come to know Him as they could not otherwise do. Then He
+reveals Himself as "a very present help in trouble," and makes the heart
+glad indeed at each fresh revelation of a FATHER'S faithfulness. We who
+only see so small a part of the sweet issues of trial often feel that we
+would not for anything have missed them; how much more shall we bless
+and magnify His Name when all the hidden things are brought to light!
+
+In the autumn of 1857, just one year after I came to settle in Ningpo, a
+little incident occurred that did much to strengthen our faith in the
+loving-kindness and ever-watchful care of GOD.
+
+A brother in the LORD, the Rev. John Quarterman, of the American
+Presbyterian Mission North, was taken with virulent small-pox, and it
+was my mournful privilege to nurse him through his suffering illness to
+its fatal close. When all was over, it became necessary to lay aside the
+garments worn while nursing, for fear of conveying the infection to
+others. Not having sufficient money in hand to purchase what was needful
+in order to make this change, prayer was the only resource. The LORD
+answered it by the unexpected arrival of a long-lost box of clothing
+from Swatow, that had remained in the care of the Rev. William Burns
+when I left him for Shanghai, in the early summer of the previous year.
+The arrival of the things just at this juncture was as appropriate as it
+was remarkable, and brought a sweet sense of the FATHER'S own providing.
+
+About two months later the following was penned:----
+
+
+                                            _November 18th, 1857._
+
+Many seem to think that I am very poor. This certainly is true enough in
+one sense, but I thank GOD it is "as poor, yet making many rich; as
+having nothing, yet possessing all things." And my GOD shall supply
+_all_ my need; to Him be all the glory. I would not, if I could, be
+otherwise than I am--entirely dependent myself upon the LORD, and used
+as a channel of help to others.
+
+On Saturday, the 4th inst., our regular home mail arrived. That morning
+we supplied, as usual, a breakfast to the destitute poor, who came to
+the number of seventy. Sometimes they do not reach forty, at others
+again exceeding eighty. They come to us every day, LORD'S Day excepted,
+for then we cannot manage to attend to them and get through all our
+other duties too. Well, on that Saturday morning we paid all expenses,
+and provided ourselves for the morrow, after which we had not a single
+dollar left between us. How the LORD was going to provide for Monday we
+knew not; but over our mantelpiece hung two scrolls in the Chinese
+character--_Ebenezer_, "Hitherto hath the LORD helped us"; and
+_Jehovah-Jireh_, "The LORD will provide"--and He kept us from doubting
+for a moment. That very day the mail came in, _a week sooner than was
+expected_, and Mr. Jones received a bill for two hundred and fourteen
+dollars. We thanked GOD and took courage. The bill was taken to a
+merchant, and although there is usually a delay of several days in
+getting the change, this time he said, "Send down on Monday." We sent,
+and though he had not been able to buy all the dollars, he let us have
+seventy on account; so all was well. Oh, it is sweet to live thus
+directly dependent upon the LORD, who never fails us!
+
+On Monday the poor had their breakfast as usual, for we had not told
+them not to come, being assured that it was the LORD'S work, and that
+the LORD would provide. We could not help our eyes filling with tears of
+gratitude when we saw not only our own needs supplied, but the widow and
+the orphan, the blind and the lame, the friendless and the destitute,
+together provided for by the bounty of Him who feeds the ravens. "O
+magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His Name together. . . . Taste
+and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.
+O fear the LORD, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear
+Him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the
+LORD shall not want any good thing"--and if not good, why want it?
+
+But even two hundred dollars cannot last for ever, and by New Year's Day
+supplies were again getting low. At last, on January 6th, 1858, only one
+solitary cash remained--the twentieth part of a penny--in the joint
+possession of Mr. Jones and myself; but though tried we looked to GOD
+once again to manifest His gracious care. Enough provision was found in
+the house to supply a meagre breakfast; after which, having neither food
+for the rest of the day, nor money to buy any, we could only betake
+ourselves to Him who was able to supply all our need with the petition,
+"Give us this day our daily bread."
+
+After prayer and deliberation we thought that perhaps we ought to
+dispose of something we possessed in order to meet our immediate
+requirements. But on looking round we saw nothing that we could well
+spare, and little that the Chinese would purchase for ready money.
+Credit to any extent we might have had, could we conscientiously have
+availed ourselves of it, but this we felt to be unscriptural in itself,
+as well as inconsistent with the position we were in. We had, indeed,
+one article--an iron stove--which we knew the Chinese would readily
+purchase; but we much regretted the necessity of parting with it. At
+length, however, we set out to the founder's, and after a walk of some
+distance came to the river, which we had intended to cross by a floating
+bridge of boats; but here the LORD shut up our path. The bridge had been
+carried away during the preceding night, and the river was only passable
+by means of a ferry, the fare for which was two cash each person. As we
+only possessed one cash, our course clearly was to return and await
+GOD'S own interposition on our behalf.
+
+Upon reaching home, we found that Mrs. Jones had gone with the children
+to dine at a friend's house, in accordance with an invitation accepted
+some days previously. Mr. Jones, though himself included in the
+invitation, refused now to go and leave me to fast alone. So we set to
+work and carefully searched the cupboards; and though there was nothing
+to eat, we found a small packet of cocoa, which, with a little hot
+water, somewhat revived us. After this we again cried to the LORD in our
+trouble, and the LORD heard and saved us out of all our distresses. For
+while we were still upon our knees a letter arrived from England
+containing a remittance.
+
+This timely supply not only met the immediate and urgent need of the
+day; for in the assured confidence that GOD, whose we were and whom we
+served, would not put to shame those whose whole and only trust was in
+Himself. My marriage had been previously arranged to take place just
+fourteen days after this date. And this expectation was not
+disappointed; for "the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed,
+but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant
+of My peace be removed." And although during subsequent years our faith
+was often exercised, and sometimes severely, He ever proved faithful to
+His promise, and never suffered us to lack any good thing.
+
+Never, perhaps, was there a union that more fully realised the blessed
+truth, "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour
+of the LORD." My dear wife was not only a precious gift to me; GOD
+blessed her to many others during the twelve eventful years through
+which she was spared to those that loved her and to China.
+
+Hers had been a life connection with missionary work in that great
+empire; for her father, the loved and devoted Samuel Dyer, was amongst
+the very earliest representatives of the London Mission in the East. He
+reached the Straits as early as 1827, and for sixteen years laboured
+assiduously amongst the Chinese in Penang and Singapore, completing at
+the same time a valuable fount of Chinese metallic type, the first of
+the kind that had then been attempted. Dying in 1843, it was never Mr.
+Dyers privilege to realise his hopes of ultimately being able to settle
+on Chinese soil; but his children lived to see the country opened to the
+Gospel, and to take their share in the great work that had been so dear
+to his heart. At the time of her marriage, my dear wife had been already
+living for several years in Ningpo with her friend, Miss Aldersey, in
+whose varied missionary operations she was well qualified to render
+valuable assistance.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+GOD A REFUGE FOR US
+
+
+A SOMEWHAT different though not less manifest answer to prayer was
+vouchsafed early in the year 1859. My dear wife was brought very low by
+illness, and at last all hope of recovery seemed gone. Every remedy
+tried had proved unavailing; and Dr. Parker, who was in attendance, had
+nothing more to suggest. Life was ebbing fast away. The only ground of
+hope was that GOD might yet see fit to raise her up, in answer to
+believing but submissive prayer.
+
+The afternoon for the usual prayer meeting among the missionaries had
+arrived, and I sent in a request for prayer, which was most warmly
+responded to. Just at this time a remedy that had not yet been tried was
+suggested to my mind, and I felt that I must hasten to consult Dr.
+Parker as to the propriety of using it. It was a moment of anguish. The
+hollow temples, sunken eyes, and pinched features denoted the near
+approach of death; and it seemed more than questionable as to whether
+life would hold out until my return. It was nearly two miles to Dr.
+Parker's house, and every moment appeared long. On my way thither, while
+wrestling mightily with GOD in prayer, the precious words were brought
+with power to my soul, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will
+deliver thee, and thou shall glorify Me." I was at once enabled to plead
+them in faith, and the result was deep, deep, unspeakable peace and
+joy. All consciousness of distance was gone. Dr. Parker cordially
+approved of the use of the means suggested, but upon arriving at home I
+saw at a glance that the desired change had taken place in the absence
+of this or any other remedy. The pinched aspect of the countenance had
+given place to the calmness of tranquil slumber, and not one
+unfavourable symptom remained to retard recovery to health and strength.
+
+Spared thus in answer to prayer the loss of my own loved one, it was
+with added sympathy and sorrow that I felt for Dr. Parker, when, in the
+autumn of the same year, his own wife was very suddenly removed. It
+being necessary for the doctor to return at once with his motherless
+children to Glasgow, temporary arrangements had to be made for the
+conduct of the Mission Hospital in Ningpo, for which he alone had been
+responsible. Under these circumstances he requested me to take up the
+work, at least so far as the dispensary was concerned. After a few days'
+waiting upon the LORD for guidance, I felt constrained to undertake not
+only the dispensary work, but also that of the hospital; relying solely
+upon the faithfulness of a prayer-hearing GOD to furnish the means
+required for its support.
+
+The funds for the maintenance of the hospital had hitherto been supplied
+by the proceeds of the doctor's foreign medical practice; and with his
+departure these ceased. But had not GOD said that whatever we ask in the
+Name of the LORD JESUS shall be done? And are we not told to seek first
+the kingdom of GOD, not means to advance it, and that all these things
+shall be added to us? Such promises were surely sufficient. Eight days
+before entering upon this responsibility I had not the remotest idea of
+ever doing so; still less could friends at home have anticipated it.
+But the LORD had foreseen the need, and already funds were on the way to
+supply it.
+
+At times there were not less than fifty in-patients in the hospital,
+besides a large number who daily attended the out-patient department.
+Thirty beds were ordinarily allotted to free patients and their
+attendants; and about as many to opium-smokers, who paid for their board
+while being cured of the habit. As all the wants of the sick in the
+wards were supplied gratuitously, in addition to the remedial appliances
+needed for the out-patient work, the daily expenses were considerable;
+besides which, a number of native attendants were required, involving
+their support.
+
+When Dr. Parker handed the hospital over to me he was able to leave
+money that would meet the salaries and working expenses of the current
+month, and little more. Being unable to guarantee their support, his
+native staff retired; and then I mentioned the circumstances to the
+members of our little church, some of whom volunteered to help me,
+depending, like myself, upon the LORD; and they with me continued to
+wait upon GOD that in some way or other He would provide for His own
+work. Day by day the stores diminished, and they were all but exhausted
+when one day a remarkable letter reached me from a friend in England
+which contained a cheque for £50. The letter stated that the sender had
+recently lost his father, and had inherited his property; that not
+desiring to increase his personal expenditure, he wished to hold the
+money which had now been left to him to further the LORD'S work. He
+enclosed the £50, saying that I might know of some special need for it;
+but leaving me free to use it for my own support, or in any way that the
+LORD might lead me; only asking to know how it was applied, and whether
+there was need for more.
+
+After a little season of thanksgiving with my dear wife, I called my
+native helpers into our little chapel, and translated to them the
+letter. I need not say how rejoiced they were, and that we together
+praised GOD. They returned to their work in the hospital with
+overflowing hearts, and told out to the patients what a GOD was ours;
+appealing to them whether their idols had ever helped them so. Both
+helpers and patients were blessed spiritually through this remarkable
+provision, and from that time the LORD provided all that was necessary
+for carrying on the institution, in addition to what was needed for the
+maintenance of my own family, and for sustaining other branches of
+missionary work under my care. When, nine months later, I was obliged
+through failure of health to relinquish this charge, I was able to leave
+more funds in hand for the support of the hospital than were forthcoming
+at the time I undertook it.
+
+But not only were pecuniary supplies vouchsafed in answer to
+prayer--many lives were spared; persons apparently in hopeless stages of
+disease were restored, and success was given in cases of serious and
+dangerous operations. In the case of one poor man, whose legs were
+amputated under very unfavourable circumstances, healthy action took
+place with such rapidity that both wounds were healed in less than two
+weeks. And more permanent benefits than these were conferred. Many were
+convinced of the truth of Christianity; not a few sought the LORD in
+faith and prayer, and experienced the power of the Great Physician to
+cure the sin-sick soul. During the nine months above alluded to sixteen
+patients from the hospital were baptized, and more than thirty others
+became candidates for admission into one or other of the Christian
+churches in the city.
+
+Thus the year 1860 began with openings on all hands, but time and
+strength were sadly too limited to admit of their being used to the
+best advantage. For some time the help of additional workers had been a
+much-felt need; and in January very definite prayer was made to the LORD
+of the harvest that He would thrust forth more labourers into this
+special portion of the great world-field. Writing to relatives at home
+in England, under date of January 16th, 1860, I thus expressed the deep
+longing of our hearts:--
+
+          Do you know any earnest, devoted young men
+          desirous of serving GOD in China, who--not wishing
+          for more than their actual support--would be
+          willing to come out and labour here? Oh, for four
+          or five such helpers! They would probably begin to
+          preach in Chinese in six months time; and in
+          answer to prayer the necessary means for their
+          support would be found.
+
+But no one came to help us then; and under the incessant physical and
+mental strain involved, in the care of the hospital during Dr. Parker's
+absence, as well as the continued discharge of my other missionary
+duties, my own health began rapidly to fail, and it became a serious
+question as to whether it would not be needful to return to England for
+a time.
+
+It was hard to face this possibility. The growing church and work seemed
+to need our presence, and it was no small trial to part from those whom
+we had learned so truly to love in the LORD. Thirty or forty native
+Christians had been gathered into the recently organised church; and the
+well-filled meetings, and the warm-hearted earnestness of the converts,
+all bespoke a future of much promise. At last, however, completely
+prostrated by repeated attacks of illness, the only hope of restoration
+seemed to lie in a voyage to England and a brief stay in its more
+bracing climate; and this necessity, painful though it seemed at the
+time, proved to be only another opportunity for the manifestation of the
+faithfulness and loving care of Him "who worketh all things after the
+counsel of His own will."
+
+As heretofore, the LORD was present with His aid. The means for our
+journey were supplied, and that so liberally that we were able to bring
+with us a native Christian to assist in translation or other literary
+work, and to instruct in the language such helpers as the LORD might
+raise up for the extension of the Mission. That He would give us
+fellow-labourers we had no doubt; for we had been enabled to seek them
+from Him in earnest and believing prayer for many months previously.
+
+The day before leaving China we wrote as follows to our friend W. T.
+Berger, Esq., whom we had known in England, and who had ever
+strengthened our hands in the LORD while in that distant land:--
+
+"We are bringing with us a young Chinese brother to assist in literary
+work, and I hope also in teaching the dialect to those whom the LORD may
+induce to return with us."
+
+And throughout the voyage our earnest cry to GOD was that He would
+overrule our stay at home for good to China, and make it instrumental in
+raising up at least five helpers to labour in the province of
+CHEH-KIANG.
+
+The way in which it pleased the LORD to answer these earnest and
+believing prayers, and the "exceeding abundantly" with which He crowned
+them, we shall now sketch in brief outline.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A NEW AGENCY NEEDED
+
+
+"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith
+the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways
+higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."[3] How true
+are these words! When the LORD is bringing in great blessing in the best
+possible way, how oftentimes our unbelieving hearts are feeling, if not
+saying, like Jacob of old, "All these things are against me." Or we are
+filled with fear, as were the disciples when the LORD, walking on the
+waters, drew near to quiet the troubled sea, and to bring them quickly
+to their desired haven. And yet mere common-sense ought to tell us that
+He, whose way is perfect, _can_ make no mistakes; that He who has
+promised to "perfect that which concerneth" us, and whose minute care
+counts the very hairs of our heads, and forms for us our circumstances,
+_must_ know better than we the way to forward our truest interests and
+to glorify His own Name.
+
+          "Blind unbelief is _sure_ to err
+             And scan His work in vain;
+           GOD is His own Interpreter,
+             And He will make it plain."
+
+To me it seemed a great calamity that failure of health compelled my
+relinquishing work for GOD in China, just when it was more fruitful than
+ever before; and to leave the little band of Christians in Ningpo,
+needing much care and teaching, was a great sorrow. Nor was the sorrow
+lessened when, on reaching England, medical testimony assured me that
+return to China, at least for years to come, was impossible. Little did
+I then realise that the long separation from China was a necessary step
+towards the formation of a work which GOD would bless as He has blessed
+the CHINA INLAND MISSION. While in the field, the pressure of claims
+immediately around me was so great that I could not think much of the
+still greater needs of the regions farther inland; and, if they were
+thought of, could do nothing for them. But while detained for some years
+in England, daily viewing the whole country on the large map on the wall
+of my study, I was as near to the vast regions of Inland China as to the
+smaller districts in which I had laboured personally for GOD; and prayer
+was often the only resource by which the burdened heart could gain any
+relief.
+
+As a long absence from China appeared inevitable, the next question was
+how best to serve China while in England, and this led to my engaging
+for several years, with the late Rev. F. F. Gough of the C. M. S., in
+the revision of a version of the New Testament in the colloquial of
+Ningpo for the British and Foreign Bible Society. In undertaking this
+work, in my short-sightedness I saw nothing beyond the use that the
+Book, and the marginal references, would be to the native Christians;
+but I have often seen since that, without those months of feeding and
+feasting on the Word of GOD, I should have been quite unprepared to
+form, on its present basis, a mission like the CHINA INLAND MISSION.
+
+In the study of that Divine Word I learned that, to obtain successful
+labourers, not elaborate appeals for help, but, _first_, earnest _prayer
+to GOD to thrust forth labourers_, and, _second_, the deepening of the
+spiritual life of the church, so that _men should be unable to stay at
+home_, were what was needed. I saw that the Apostolic plan was not to
+raise ways and means, but _to go and do the work_, trusting in His sure
+Word who has said, "Seek ye _first_ the Kingdom of GOD and His
+righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
+
+In the meantime the prayer for workers for CHEH-KIANG was being
+answered. The first, Mr. Meadows, sailed for China with his young wife
+in January 1862, through the kind co-operation and aid of our friend Mr.
+Berger. The second left England in 1864, having her passage provided by
+the Foreign Evangelisation Society. The third and fourth reached Ningpo
+on July 24th, 1865. A fifth soon followed them, reaching Ningpo in
+September 1865. Thus the prayer for the five workers was fully answered;
+and we were encouraged to look to GOD for still greater things.
+
+Months of earnest prayer and not a few abortive efforts had resulted in
+a deep conviction that _a special agency was essential_ for the
+evangelisation of Inland China. At this time I had not only the daily
+help of prayer and conference with my beloved friend and fellow-worker
+the late Rev. F. F. Gough, but also invaluable aid and counsel from Mr.
+and Mrs. Berger, with whom I and my dear wife (whose judgment and piety
+were of priceless value at this juncture) spent many days in prayerful
+deliberation. The grave difficulty of possibly interfering with existing
+missionary operations at home was foreseen; but it was concluded that,
+by simple trust in GOD, suitable agency might be raised up and sustained
+without interfering injuriously with any existing work. I had also a
+growing conviction that GOD would have _me_ to seek from Him the needed
+workers, and to go forth with them. But for a long time unbelief
+hindered my taking the first step.
+
+How inconsistent unbelief always is! I had no doubt that, if I prayed
+for workers, "_in_ the Name" of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, they would be
+given me. I had no doubt that, in answer to such prayer, the means for
+our going forth would be provided, and that doors would be opened before
+us in unreached parts of the Empire. But I had not then learned to trust
+GOD for _keeping_ power and grace for myself, so no wonder that I could
+not trust Him to keep others who might be prepared to go with me. I
+feared that in the midst of the dangers, difficulties, and trials which
+would necessarily be connected with such a work, some who were
+comparatively inexperienced Christians might break down, and bitterly
+reproach me for having encouraged them to undertake an enterprise for
+which they were unequal.
+
+Yet, what was I to do? The feeling of blood-guiltiness became more and
+more intense. Simply because I refused to ask for them, the labourers
+did not come forward--did not go out to China--and every day tens of
+thousands were passing away to Christless graves! Perishing China so
+filled my heart and mind that there was no rest by day, and little sleep
+by night, till health broke down. At the invitation of my beloved and
+honoured friend, Mr. George Pearse (then of the Stock Exchange), I went
+to spend a few days with him in Brighton.
+
+On Sunday, June 25th, 1865, unable to bear the sight of a congregation
+of a thousand or more Christian people rejoicing in their own security,
+while millions were perishing for lack of knowledge, I wandered out on
+the sands alone, in great spiritual agony; and there the LORD conquered
+my unbelief, and I surrendered myself to GOD for this service. I told
+Him that all the responsibility as to issues and consequences must rest
+with Him; that as His servant, it was mine to obey and to follow
+Him--His, to direct, to care for, and to guide me and those who might
+labour with me. Need I say that peace at once flowed into my burdened
+heart? There and then I asked Him for twenty-four fellow-workers, two
+for each of eleven inland provinces which were without a missionary, and
+two for Mongolia; and writing the petition on the margin of the Bible I
+had with me, I returned home with a heart enjoying rest such as it had
+been a stranger to for months, and with an assurance that the LORD would
+bless His own work and that I should share in the blessing. I had
+previously prayed, and asked prayer, that workers might be raised up for
+the eleven then unoccupied provinces, and thrust forth and provided for,
+but had not surrendered myself to be their leader.
+
+About this time, with the help of my dear wife, I wrote the little book,
+_China's Spiritual Need and Claims_. Every paragraph was steeped in
+prayer. With the help of Mr. Berger, who had given valued aid in the
+revision of the manuscript, and who bore the expense of printing an
+edition of 3000 copies, they were soon put in circulation. I spoke
+publicly of the proposed work as opportunity permitted, specially at the
+Perth and Mildmay Conferences of 1865, and continued in prayer for
+fellow-workers, who were soon raised up, and after due correspondence
+were invited to my home, then in the East of London. When one house
+became insufficient, the occupant of the adjoining house removed, and I
+was able to rent it; and when that in its turn became insufficient,
+further accommodation was provided close by. Soon there were a number of
+men and women under preparatory training, and engaging in evangelistic
+work which tested in some measure their qualifications as soul-winners.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[3] Isaiah lv. 8, 9.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+THE FORMATION OF THE C. I. M.
+
+
+IT was thus that in the year 1865 the CHINA INLAND MISSION was
+organised; and the workers already in the field were incorporated into
+it. W. T. Berger, Esq., then residing at Saint Hill, near East
+Grinstead, without whose help and encouragement I could not have gone
+forward, undertook the direction of the home department of the work
+during my anticipated absence in China; and I proposed, as soon as
+arrangements could be completed, to go out with the volunteers and take
+the direction of the work in the field. For the support of the workers
+already in China, our friends at home were sending in unsolicited
+contributions from time to time, and every need was met.
+
+We had now, however, to look forward to the outgoing of a party of
+sixteen or seventeen, and estimated that from £1500 to £2000 might be
+required to cover outfits, passage-money, and initial expenses. I wrote
+a little pamphlet, calling it "Occasional Paper, No. I." (intending in
+successive numbers to give to donors and friends accounts of the work
+wrought through us in China), and in that paper stated the anticipated
+needs for floating the enterprise. I expected that GOD would incline the
+hearts of some of the readers to send contributions: I had determined
+never to use personal solicitation, or to make collections, or to issue
+collecting-books. Missionary-boxes were thought unobjectionable, and we
+had a few prepared for those who might ask for them, and have continued
+to use them ever since.
+
+It was February 6th, 1866, when I sent my manuscript of "Occasional
+Paper, No. I.," with a design for the cover, to the printer. From delays
+in engraving and printing, it was March 12th when the bales of pamphlets
+were delivered at my house. Now on February 6th a daily prayer-meeting,
+from 12 to 1 o'clock, had been commenced, to ask for the needed funds.
+And that we had not asked in vain, the following extract from
+"Occasional Paper, No. II." will show:--
+
+"The receipts for 1864 were £51:14s.; for 1865, from January to June,
+£221:12:6, besides two free passages; from June to December, £923:12:8.
+Hindrances having occurred, the MS. of the "Occasional Paper, No. I."
+was not completed till February 6th, 1866. Up to this time we had
+received (from December 30th) £170:8:3.
+
+"We felt much encouraged by the receipt of so much money in little more
+than a month, as it was entirely unsolicited by us--save from GOD. But
+it was also evident that we must ask the LORD to do yet greater things
+for us, or it would be impossible for a party of from ten to sixteen to
+leave in the middle of May. _Daily united prayer was therefore offered
+to_ GOD for the funds needful for the outfits and passages of as many as
+He would have to go out in May.
+
+"Owing to the delays mentioned above in the printing of the 'Occasional
+Paper,' it was not ready for the publisher until March 12th. On this day
+I again examined my mission cash-book, and the comparison of the result
+of the two similar periods of one month and six days each, one before
+and one after special prayer for £1500 to £2000, was very striking:--
+
+          "Receipts from December 30th to February 6th, £170  8  3
+             "    Feb. 6th to Mar. 12th £1774 5 11
+          "Funds advised, since received  200 0  0
+                                         ---------     £1974  5 11
+
+"This, it will be noticed, was _previous_ to the circulation of the
+'Occasional Paper,' and, consequently, was not the result of it. It was
+the response of a faithful GOD to the united prayers of those whom He
+had called to serve Him in the Gospel of His dear SON.
+
+"We can now compare with these two periods a third of the same extent.
+From March 12th to April 18th the receipts were £529, showing that when
+GOD had supplied the special need, the special supply also ceased. Truly
+there is a LIVING GOD, and HE is the hearer and answerer of prayer."
+
+But this gracious answer to prayer made it a little difficult to
+circulate "Occasional Paper, No. I.," for it stated as a need that which
+was already supplied. The difficulty was obviated by the issue with each
+copy of a coloured inset stating that the funds for outfit and passage
+were already in hand in answer to prayer. We were reminded of the
+difficulty of Moses--not a very common one in the present day--and of
+the proclamation he had to send through the camp to the people to
+prepare no more for the building of the Tabernacle, as the gifts in hand
+were already too much. We are convinced that if there were _less_
+solicitation for money and _more_ dependence upon the power of the HOLY
+GHOST and upon the deepening of spiritual life, the experience of Moses
+would be a common one in every branch of Christian work.
+
+Preparations for sailing to China were at once proceeded with. About
+this time I was asked to give a lecture on China in a village not very
+far from London, and agreed to do so on condition that there should be
+no collection, and that this should be announced on the bills. The
+gentleman who invited me, and who kindly presided as chairman, said he
+had never had that condition imposed before. He accepted it, however,
+and the bills were issued accordingly for the 2nd or 3rd of May. With
+the aid of a large map, something of the extent and population and deep
+spiritual need of China was presented, and many were evidently
+impressed.
+
+At the close of the meeting the chairman said that by my request it had
+been intimated on the bills that there would be no collection; but he
+felt that many present would be distressed and burdened if they had not
+the opportunity of contributing something towards the good work
+proposed. He trusted that as the proposition emanated entirely from
+himself, and expressed, he felt sure, the feelings of many in the
+audience, I should not object to it. I begged, however, that the
+condition agreed to might be carried out; pointing out among other
+reasons for making no collection, that the very reason adduced by our
+kind chairman was, to my mind, one of the strongest for not making it.
+My wish was, not that those present should be relieved by making such
+contribution as might there and then be convenient, under the influence
+of a present emotion; but that each one should go home burdened with the
+deep need of China, and ask of GOD what He would have them to do. If,
+after thought and prayer, they were satisfied that a pecuniary
+contribution was what He wanted of them, it could be given to any
+Missionary Society having agents in China; or it might be posted to our
+London office; but that perhaps in many cases what GOD wanted was _not_
+a money contribution, but personal consecration to His service abroad;
+or the giving up of son or daughter--more precious than silver or
+gold--to His service. I added that I thought the tendency of a
+collection was to leave the impression that the all-important thing was
+_money_, whereas no amount of money could convert a single soul; that
+what was needed was that men and women filled with the HOLY GHOST should
+give _themselves_ to the work: for the support of such there would never
+be a lack of funds. As my wish was evidently very strong, the chairman
+kindly yielded to it, and closed the meeting. He told me, however, at
+the supper-table, that he thought it was a mistake on my part, and that,
+notwithstanding all I had said, a few persons had put some little
+contributions into his hands.
+
+Next morning at breakfast, my kind host came in a little late, and
+acknowledged to not having had a very good night. After breakfast he
+asked me to his study, and giving me the contributions handed to him the
+night before, said, "I thought last night, Mr. Taylor, that you were in
+the wrong about a collection; I am now convinced you were quite right.
+As I thought in the night of that stream of souls in China ever passing
+onward into the dark, I could only cry as you suggested, 'LORD, what
+wilt Thou have _me_ to do?' I think I have obtained the guidance I
+sought, and here it is." He handed me a cheque for £500, adding that if
+there had been a collection he would have given a few pounds to it, but
+now this cheque was the result of having spent no small part of the
+night in prayer.
+
+I need scarcely say how surprised and thankful I was for this gift. I
+had received at the breakfast-table a letter from Messrs. Killick,
+Martin and Co., shipping agents, in which they stated that they could
+offer us the whole passenger accommodation of the ship _Lammermuir_. I
+went direct to the ship, found it in every way suitable, and paid the
+cheque on account. As above stated, the funds deemed needed had been
+already in hand for some time; but the coincidence of the simultaneous
+offer of the ship accommodation and this munificent gift--GOD'S
+"exceeding abundantly"--greatly encouraged my heart.
+
+On the 26th of May we sailed for China in the _Lammermuir_, a missionary
+party of 16 (besides my four children and their nurse, and Miss Bausum
+(afterwards Mrs. Barchet)); in all 22 passengers. Mr. Berger took charge
+of the home department, and thus the C. I. M. was fully inaugurated.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE MISSION IN 1894
+
+
+THE events sketched in the last two chapters have been more fully
+delineated by Miss Guinness in her interesting _Story of the China
+Inland Mission_, which continues its history to the present date. It is
+indeed a record of the goodness of GOD, every remembrance of which calls
+for gratitude and praise. We can only here briefly mention a few facts,
+referring our readers to Miss Guinness's work for all details.
+
+After a voyage of many mercies the _Lammermuir_ party safely reached
+China, and during the first ten years stations and out-stations were
+opened in many cities and towns in four provinces which hitherto had
+been unreached by the Gospel. At home Mr. and Mrs. Berger continued
+their devoted service until March 19th, 1872, I having returned to
+England the year before. Shortly after this the London Council was
+formed, which has now for several years been assisted by an auxiliary
+Council of ladies. A Scotch Council was also formed in Glasgow a few
+years ago.
+
+A visit to America in 1888 issued in the formation of the Council for
+North America, and a similar Council for Australasia was commenced in
+Melbourne two years later. In the field a China Council was organised in
+1886, composed of senior missionaries who meet quarterly in Shanghai.
+
+Closely associated with the C. I. M. are seven Committees--in England,
+Norway, Sweden (two), Finland, Germany, and the United States--which
+send out and support their own missionaries, who in China have the
+assistance of the educational and other advantages of the C. I. M., and
+who work under its direction.
+
+The staff of the Mission, in May 1893, consisted of 552 missionaries
+(including wives and associates). There were also 326 native helpers (95
+of whom were unpaid), working as pastors, evangelists, teachers,
+colporteurs, Bible-women, etc., in 14 different provinces.
+
+Duly qualified candidates for missionary labour are accepted without
+restriction as to denomination, provided they are sound in the faith in
+all fundamental truths: these go out in dependence upon GOD for temporal
+supplies, with the clear understanding that the officers of the Mission
+do not guarantee any income whatever; and knowing that as they will not
+go into debt, they can only minister to them as the funds sent in from
+time to time will allow. But we praise GOD that during the past
+twenty-eight years such ministry has always been possible; our GOD _has_
+supplied all our need, and has withheld no good thing.
+
+All the expenses of the Mission at home and abroad are met by voluntary
+contributions, sent to the offices of the Mission without personal
+solicitation, by those who wish to aid in this effort to spread the
+knowledge of the Gospel throughout China. The income for the year 1892
+was about £34,000 from all sources--Great Britain, the Continent of
+Europe, North America, Australasia, China, etc.
+
+Some of the missionaries having private property have gone out at their
+own expense, and do not take anything from the Mission funds.
+
+Stations have been opened in ten of the eleven provinces which were
+previously without Protestant missionaries; from one of these, however,
+we have had to retire. The eleventh province has been visited several
+times, and it is hoped that in it permanent work may soon be begun.
+
+More than 200 stations and out-stations have been opened in fourteen of
+the eighteen provinces, in all of which stations either missionaries or
+native labourers are resident. Over 6000 converts have been baptized
+from the commencement, some 4000 of whom are now living and in
+fellowship.
+
+
+THE MISSION IN 1902
+
+The year 1894, in which the first edition of _A Retrospect_ appeared,
+was marked by the erection of large and commodious premises for the work
+of the Mission, and early in the following year the houses in Pyrland
+Road, which had so long formed the home of the Mission in England, were
+vacated, and NEWINGTON GREEN, LONDON, N., became the address of the
+Mission offices and home.
+
+From that date until the Boxer outbreak of 1900 the Mission made steady
+progress, the development of the work in China being accompanied by
+corresponding developments in the home departments of the Mission in
+England, America, and Australasia.
+
+In January 1900, before the Boxer outbreak, there were in connection
+with the Mission, 811 missionaries, including wives and associates; 171
+stations; 223 out-stations; 387 chapels; 581 paid native helpers; 193
+unpaid native helpers; 8557 communicants in fellowship, 12,964 having
+been baptized from the commencement. There were 266 organised churches;
+788 boarding scholars; 1382 day scholars; 6 hospitals; 18 dispensaries;
+and 46 opium refuges.
+
+During the terrible year of 1900, when no fewer than 135 missionaries
+and 53 missionaries' children and many thousands of Chinese Christians
+were cruelly murdered, the China Inland Mission lost 58 missionaries and
+21 children. The records of these unparalleled times of suffering have
+been told in _Martyred Missionaries of the China Inland Mission_ and in
+_Last Letters_, both of which books will be found advertised at the end
+of this volume. Apart from loss of life, there was an immense amount of
+Mission property destroyed, and the missionaries were compelled to
+retire from their stations in most parts of China.
+
+The doors closed by this outbreak have all been reopened in the goodness
+of GOD. In those districts which suffered most from the massacres the
+work has largely been one of reorganisation; but throughout China
+generally there has been a spirit of awakening and a time of enlarged
+opportunity; which is a loud call for more men and women to volunteer to
+step into the gaps and fill the places of those who have fallen.
+
+Among recent developments we would specially mention the opening of a
+new home centre at Philadelphia, U.S.A. The total income of the Mission
+for 1901 was £53,633 = $257,712, and the total received in England
+alone, for 1902, was £51,446 = $246,912. The total membership of the
+Mission in June 1902 was 761.
+
+Current information about the progress of the work in China may be
+obtained from _China's Millions_, the organ of the Mission. It is
+published monthly, and may be ordered through any bookseller from
+Messrs. Morgan and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, E.C., for 1s. per
+year, or direct by post from the offices of the Mission, Newington
+Green, London, N., for 1s. 6d. per annum.
+
+The Australasian edition of _China's Millions_ may be ordered at the
+same price from M. L. Hutchinson, Little Collins Street, or from the
+Mission Offices, 267 Collins Street, Melbourne. The North American
+edition will be sent post free from the Mission Offices, 507 Church
+Street, Toronto, for 50 cents per annum.
+
+Prayer meetings on behalf of the work in China are held at the principal
+home centres of the Mission, as follows: Every Saturday afternoon from 4
+to 6 o'clock, at Newington Green, London. Every Friday evening at 8
+o'clock, at 507 Church Street, Toronto. Every Saturday afternoon at 4
+o'clock, in the Office, 267 Collins Street, Melbourne. A hearty
+invitation to attend any one of these meetings is given to any one
+residing in or visiting any of these cities.
+
+Donations to the Mission, applications from candidates, orders for
+literature, requests for deputation speakers, and other correspondence
+should be forwarded to
+
+          The Secretary,
+            China Inland Mission,
+              Newington Green, London, N.
+
+          The Home Director,
+            China Inland Mission,
+              507 Church Street, Toronto, Canada.
+
+or
+
+          702 Witherspoon Buildings, Philadelphia, U.S.A.
+
+or to
+
+          The Secretary,
+            China Inland Mission,
+              267 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia.
+
+[Illustration: MAP OF CHINA
+
+  Shewing {1. All Protestant Mission Stations in China up to June 1866,
+              when the C.I.M. was founded (they numbered fifteen) These
+              are underlined in black.
+          {2. The Stations of the China Inland Mission which (with the
+              exception of Ning-Po & Fung-hwa) have been opened since
+              June 1866. These are printed in red.]
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+STATIONS OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION
+
+1900
+
+(BEFORE THE BOXER OUTBREAK)
+
+
+The best guide to the stations of the Mission is the new _China Inland
+Mission Map_ (size 44 × 38 in., mounted on linen, coloured, varnished,
+and hung on rollers), price 8s. _net_, carriage and packing extra.
+Mounted to fold, 8s. _net_, post free.
+
+      Provinces.[4]                Stations.[5]            WORK BEGUN.
+
+  =Kan-suh=, 1876                    LIANG-CHAU                   1888
+                                     SI-NING                      1885
+                                     LAN-CHAU                     1885
+                                     TS'IN-CHAU                   1878
+  _Area,[6] 125,450 square miles._   FU K'IANG                    1899
+  _Population, 9,285,377._           P'ING-LIANG                  1895
+                                     KING-CHAU                    1895
+                                     TS'ING-NING                  1897
+                                     Chen-yuen                    1897
+                                     Tong-chi                     1899
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Shen-si=, 1876.                   Lung-chau                    1893
+                                     FENG-TSIANG                  1888
+                                     Mei-hien                     1893
+                                     K'IEN-CHAU                   1894
+  _Area, 67,400 square miles._       Chau-chih                    1893
+  _Population, 8,432,193._           _Sang-kia-chuang_            1894
+                                     Hing-p'ing                   1893
+                                     SI-GAN                       1893
+                                     _Ying-kia-wei_               1893
+                                     Chen-kia-hu                  1897
+                                     Lan-t'ien                    1895
+                                     K'ien-yang                   1897
+                                     Ch'ang-wu                    1897
+                                     San-shui                     1897
+                                     T'UNG-CHAU                   1891
+                                     Han-ch'eng                   1897
+                                     HAN-CHUNG                    1879
+                                     Ch'eng-ku                    1887
+                                     Si-hsiang                    1896
+                                     Yang-hien                    1896
+                                     HING-AN                      1898
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Shan-si=, 1876                    TA-T'UNG                     1886
+                                     Hwen-yuen                    1898
+                                     SOH-P'ING                    1895
+                                     Tsö-yuin                     1895
+                                     YING-CHAU                    1897
+                                     Hiao-i                       1887
+                                     Kiai-hiu                     1891
+                                     SIH-CHAU                     1885
+                                     Ta-ning                      1885
+                                     KIH-CHAU                     1891
+                                     Ho-tsin                      1893
+                                     Ping-yao                     1888
+  _Area, 56,268 square miles._       HOH-CHAU                     1886
+  _Population, 12,211,453._          Hung-t'ung                   1886
+                                     Yoh-yang                     1896
+                                     P'ING-YANG                   1879
+                                     K'üh-wu                      1885
+                                     I-shï                        1891
+                                     Yüin-ch'eng                  1888
+                                     _Mei-ti-kiai_                1895
+                                     HIAI-CHAU                    1895
+                                     Lu-ch'eng                    1889
+                                     _Ü-wu_                       1896
+                                     LU-GAN                       1889
+                                     Kiang-chau                   1898
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Chih-li=, 1887                    T'IEN-TSIN                   1888
+  _Area, 58,949 square miles._       PAO-T'ING                    1891
+  _Population, 17,937,000._          Hwuy-luh                     1887
+                                     SHUN-TEH                     1888
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Shan-tung=, 1879                  _Chefoo_                     1879
+                                        "    Sanatorium           1880
+                                        "    Boys' School         1880
+  _Area, 53,762 square miles._          "    Girls'  "            1884
+  _Population, 36,247,835._             "    Preparatory School   1895
+                                     _T'ung-shin_                 1889
+                                     Ning-hai                     1886
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Ho-nan=, 1875                     Siang-ch'eng                 1891
+                                     _Chau-kia-k'eo_              1884
+                                       _Ho-nan_                    ...
+                                       _Ho-peh_                    ...
+                                       _Ho-si_                     ...
+  _Area, 66,913 square miles._       CH'EN-CHAU                   1895
+  _Population, 22,115,827._          T'ai-k'ang                   1895
+                                     _She-k'i-tien_               1886
+                                     Kwang-chau                   1899
+                                     Hin-an                       1899
+                                     _King-tsï-kuan_              1896
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =W. Si-ch'uan=, 1877               Kwan-hien                    1889
+                                     CH'EN-TU                     1881
+                                     KIA-TING                     1888
+  _Area of whole Province,           SUI-FU                       1888
+  166,800 square miles._             LU-CHAU                      1890
+                                     Hiao-shï                     1899
+                                     CH'UNG-K'ING                 1877
+                                     Ta-chien-lu                  1897
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =E. Si-ch'uan=, 1886               Kwang-yuen                   1889
+                                     _Sin-tien-tsï_               1892
+                                     PAO-NING                     1886
+                                     Ying-shan                    1898
+  _Population of whole Province,     Kü-hien                      1898
+  67,712,897._                       SHUN-K'ING                   1896
+                                     Pa-chau                      1887
+                                     SUI-TING                     1899
+                                     Wan-hien                     1888
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Hu-peh=, 1874                     _Lao-ho-k'eo_                1887
+  _Area, 70,450 square miles._       _Han-kow_                    1889
+  _Population, 34,244,685._          I-CH'ANG                     1895
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Gan-hwuy=, 1869                   T'ai-ho                      1892
+                                     VING-CHAU                    1897
+                                     _Ch'eng-yang-kwan_           1887
+                                     _K'u-ch'eng_                 1887
+                                     Fuh-hing-tsih (Lai-gan)      1898
+                                     LUH-GAN                      1890
+                                     GAN-K'ING                    1869
+  _Area, 48,461 square miles._          Training Home              ...
+  _Population, 20,596,288._          Wu-hu                        1893
+                                     Kien-p'ing                   1894
+                                     NING-KWOH                    1874
+                                     KWANG-TEH                    1890
+                                     CH'I-CHAU                    1889
+                                     Kien-teh                     1892
+                                     HWUY-CHAU                    1884
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Kiang-su=, 1854                   Gan-tung                     1891
+                                     Ts'ing-kiang-pu              1869
+                                     Kao-yiu                      1888
+                                     YANG-CHAU                    1868
+                                       Training Home               ...
+                                     CHIN-KIANG                   1888
+  _Area, 44,500 square miles._       Shanghai                     1854
+  _Population, 20,905,171._            Financial Department        ...
+                                       Business Department         ...
+                                       Home                        ...
+                                       Hospital                    ...
+                                       Evangelistic Work           ...
+                                       Literary Work               ...
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Yun-nan=, 1877                    Bhâmo (Upper Burmah)         1875
+  _Area, 107,969 square miles._      TA-LI                        1881
+  _Population, 11,721,576._          YUN-NAN                      1882
+                                     K'ÃœH-TS'ING                  1889
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Kwei-chau=, 1877                  KWEI-YANG                    1877
+                                     GAN-SHUN                     1888
+  _Area, 64,554 square miles._       Tuh-shan                     1893
+  _Population, 7,669,181._           HING-I                       1891
+                                       (Work among Aborigines)     ...
+                                     _P'ang-hai_                  1897
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Hu-nan=, 1875                     CH'ANG-TEH                   1898
+  _Area, 74,320 square miles_.       SHEN-CHAU                    1898
+  _Population, 21,002,604._          Ch'a-ling                    1898
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Kiang-si=, 1869                   KIU-KIANG                    1889
+                                     Ku-ling Sanatorium           1898
+                                     _Ta-ku-t'ang_                1873
+                                     NAN-K'ANG                    1887
+                                     Gan-ren                      1889
+                                     RAO-CHAU                     1898
+                                     _Peh-kan_                    1893
+                                     Kwei-k'i                     1878
+                                     _Shang-ts'ing_               1893
+                                     Hü-wan                       1899
+                                     Ih-yang                      1890
+  _Area, 72,176 square miles._       _Ho-k'eo_                    1878
+  _Population, 24,534,118._          _Yang-k'eo_                  1890
+                                     Kwang-feng                   1889
+                                     Yuh-shan                     1877
+                                     _Chang-shu_                  1895
+                                     KUI-GAN                      1891
+                                     _Feng-kang_                  1891
+                                     KAN-CHAU                     1899
+                                     Sin-feng                     1899
+                                     LIN-KIANG                    1898
+                                     NAN-CH'ANG                   1898
+                                     UEN-CHAU (_Itinerating_)      ...
+                                     Yung-sin                     1899
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Cheh-kiang=, 1857                 HANG-CHAU                    1866
+                                     SHAO-HING                    1866
+                                     Sin-ch'ang                   1870
+                                     KIU-CHAU                     1872
+                                     Ch'ang-shan                  1878
+                                     Lan-k'i                      1894
+  _Area, 39,150 square miles_.       KIN-HWA                      1875
+  _Population, 11,588,692._          Yung-k'ang                   1882
+                                     Tseh-k'i                     1897
+                                     CH'U-CHAU                    1875
+                                     Lung-ch'uen                  1894
+                                     Uin-ho                       1895
+                                     Song-yang                    1896
+                                     _Siao-mei_                   1896
+                                     Tsin-yun                     1898
+                                     NING-P'O                     1857
+                                     Fung-hwa                     1866
+                                     Ning-hai                     1868
+                                     T'ien-t'ai                   1898
+                                     T'AI-CHAU                    1867
+                                     Ling-he District              ...
+                                     Hwang-yen                    1896
+                                     T'ai-p'ing                   1898
+                                     WUN-CHAU                     1867
+                                     Bing-yae                     1874
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[4] Arranged in three lines from west to east, for easy reference to
+Map. The dates in this column in many cases are of itinerations begun.
+
+[5] Capitals of Provinces in capital letters; of Prefectures in small
+capitals; and of Counties in romans; Market Towns in italics.
+
+[6] Areas and populations are from _The Statesman's Year Book_.
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_Printed by_ R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, _Edinburgh._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Page 109, "my" changed to "My" (My marriage had been)
+
+Page 125, ending ) added. (Miss Bausum (afterwards Mrs. Barchett)); in)
+
+Page 129, format of "God" was changed to "GOD" to match rest of usage.
+(goodness of GOD)
+
+Possible nconsistencies in spelling of Chinese names were retained such
+as Bhâmo and Bhamô.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Retrospect, by James Hudson Taylor
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Retrospect, by James Hudson Taylor
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
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+Title: A Retrospect
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+Author: James Hudson Taylor
+
+Release Date: October 1, 2008 [EBook #26744]
+
+Language: English
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+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A RETROSPECT ***
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+
+
+
+Produced by Free Elf, Emmy and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net Music files created
+by Linda Cantoni.(This file was produced from images
+generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian
+Libraries) Full-color map generously provided by The
+Missionary E-texts Archive at
+http://www.missionaryetexts.org
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 426px;"><a name="front" id="front"></a>
+<img src="images/illus01.jpg" width="426" height="600" alt="Signature: J. Hudson Taylor." title="Signature: J. Hudson Taylor." />
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>A RETROSPECT</h1>
+
+<h3>BY</h3>
+
+<h2>J. HUDSON TAYLOR, M.R.C.S., F.R.G.S.</h2>
+
+<div class='center'><i>Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy
+God led thee.</i><br />
+<br /><br /><br />
+THIRD EDITION<br />
+
+<br /><br /><br /><br />
+TORONTO<br />
+CHINA INLAND MISSION<br />
+507 CHURCH STREET<br />
+</div>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="contents" id="contents"></a>
+<a href="images/illus02-big.jpg"><img src="images/illus02.jpg" width="500" height="291" alt="THE &quot;LAMMERMUIR&quot; PARTY. See page 125." title="THE &quot;LAMMERMUIR&quot; PARTY. See page 125." /></a>
+<span class="caption">THE &quot;LAMMERMUIR&quot; PARTY. <a href="#Page_125"><i>See page 125.</i></a></span>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents">
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><small>CHAP.</small></td><td align='right'><small>PAGE</small></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">The Power of Prayer</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">The Call to Service</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Preparation for Service</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Further Answers to Prayer</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Life in London</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Strengthened by Faith</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Mighty to Save</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Voyage to China</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_39">39</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Early Missionary Experiences</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">First Evangelistic Efforts</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">With the Rev. W. C. Burns</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_57">57</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">The Call to Swatow</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_70">70</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"The Missionary Call": Words and Music</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Man Proposes, God Disposes</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Providential Guidance</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Settlement in Ningpo</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_98">98</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Timely Supplies</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">God a Refuge for us</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XVIII.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">A New Agency needed</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_116">116</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Formation of the C. I. M.</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_121">121</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">The Mission in 1894</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_126">126</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">The Mission in 1902</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_128">128</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap">Stations of the C. I. M.</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_131">131</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'>MAP OF CHINA</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'></td><td align='left'>&nbsp;<span class="smcap">Showing the Stations of the China Inland Mission; Corrected to June 1900</span></td><td align='right'><i>To face page</i> <a href="#map">131</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Illustrations and Cover pattern">
+<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="123" height="600" alt="Cover pattern" title="Cover pattern" />
+</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Illustrations">
+<tr><td align='right'>1.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Portrait of J. Hudson Taylor</td><td align='right'><a href="#front"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>2.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;The "Lammermuir" party</td><td align='right'><i>Facing <a href="#contents">"Contents"</a></i></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>&nbsp;</td><td align='right'>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='right'><small>PAGE</small></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>3.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Honorary banner presented to a missionary</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>4.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;A heavy road in North China</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>5.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Salt junk on the Yang-tsi</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>6.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Travelling by mule cart on "the great plain"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>7.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Ch'ung-k'ing, the Yang-tsi, and mountains beyond</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>8.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Water gate and Custom house, Soo-chow</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>9.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;View on the Kwang-sin River</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>10.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Temple and memorial portal</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>11.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;"Compassionate heart, benevolent methods"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>12.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Outside the wall of Gan-k'ing</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_38">38</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>13.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;The new girls school at Chefoo</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_39">39</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>14.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Entrance to the Po-yang lake</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>15.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;A fair wind, at sunset, on the lake</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>16.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;A view on the grand canal</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>17.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Down the Yang-tsi on a cargo boat</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_57">57</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>18.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;East gate and sentry box, Bham&ocirc;, Burmah</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>19.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Farmhouse, with buffalo shed attached</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_70">70</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>20.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;A fishing village on the lake near Y&uuml;nnan Fu</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>21.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Teng-yueh, the westernmost walled city in China</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>22.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;A small temple near Wun-chau</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>23.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Group of Christians at Lan-k'i, Cheh-kiang</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>24.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;A boat on the Red River, Tonquin</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_98">98</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>25.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Students' quarters, Gan-k'ing Training Home</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>26.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;A Mandarin's sedan chair</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>27.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;A presentation banner (a mark of high respect)</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>28.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;View on the Po-yang lake</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_116">116</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>29.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;A village on the grand canal</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_121">121</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>30.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;The battlements of Pekin</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_126">126</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>31.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Native woodcut of a landscape</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_131">131</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>32.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;Elder Liu and wife, Kwei-k'i</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_136">136</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+<div class="hang1">The hearty thanks of the Mission for the use of photographs and sketches
+are hereby tendered to Rev. George Hayes for Nos. 4 and 6; Dr.
+G. Whitfield Guinness for Nos. 8, 12, 16, 25, and 28; Miss Davies
+for No. 23; Mr. Thomas Selkirk for Nos. 18 and 21; Mr. J. T.
+Reid for Nos. 14, 15, and 27; Mr. J. S. Rough for No. 30; Mr.
+Grainger for No. 19; Mr. E. Murray for No. 13, and also to other
+friends unknown by name.</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus03.jpg" width="500" height="176" alt="Honorary banner presented to a missionary" title="Honorary banner presented to a missionary" />
+</div>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<h3>THE POWER OF PRAYER</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>THE following account of some of the experiences
+which eventually led to the formation of the <span class="smcap">China
+Inland Mission</span>, and to its taking the form in which it has
+been developed, first appeared in the pages of <i>China's
+Millions</i>. Many of those who read it there asked that it
+might appear in separate form. Miss Guinness incorporated
+it in the <i>Story of the China Inland Mission</i>, a record which
+contained the account of <span class="smcap">God's</span> goodness to the beginning
+of 1894. But friends still asking for it in pamphlet form,
+for wider distribution, this edition is brought out.</div>
+
+<p>Much of the material was taken from notes of addresses
+given in China during a conference of our missionaries;
+this will account for the direct and narrative form of the
+papers, which it has not been thought necessary to change.</p>
+
+<p>It is always helpful to us to fix our attention on the
+<span class="smcap">God</span>-ward aspect of Christian work; to realise that the work
+of <span class="smcap">God</span> does not mean so much man's work for <span class="smcap">God</span>, as
+<span class="smcap">God's</span> own work through man. Furthermore, in our privileged
+position of fellow-workers with Him, while fully recognising
+all the benefits and blessings to be bestowed on a
+sin-stricken world through the proclamation of the Gospel
+and spread of the Truth, we should never lose sight of the
+higher aspect of our work&mdash;that of obedience to <span class="smcap">God</span>, of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span>
+bringing glory to His Name, of gladdening the heart of
+our <span class="smcap">God</span> and <span class="smcap">Father</span> by living and serving as His beloved
+children.</p>
+
+<p>Many circumstances connected with my own early life
+and service presented this aspect of work vividly to me;
+and as I think of some of them, I am reminded of how
+much the cause of missions is indebted to many who are
+never themselves permitted to see the mission field&mdash;many,
+it may be, who are unable to give largely of their
+substance, and who will be not a little surprised in the
+Great Day to see how much the work has been advanced
+by their love, their sympathy, and their prayers.</p>
+
+<p>For myself, and for the work that I have been permitted
+to do for <span class="smcap">God</span>, I owe an unspeakable debt of gratitude to
+my beloved and honoured parents, who have passed away
+and entered into rest, but the influence of whose lives will
+never pass away.</p>
+
+<p>Many years ago, probably about 1830, the heart of
+my dear father, then himself an earnest and successful
+evangelist at home, was deeply stirred as to the spiritual
+state of China by reading several books, and especially
+an account of the travels of Captain Basil Hall. His
+circumstances were such as to preclude the hope of his
+ever going to China for personal service, but he was led
+to pray that if <span class="smcap">God</span> should give him a son, he might be
+called and privileged to labour in the vast needy empire
+which was then apparently so sealed against the truth.
+I was not aware of this desire or prayer myself until my
+return to England, more than seven years after I had
+sailed for China; but it was very interesting then to know
+how prayer offered before my birth had been answered in
+this matter.</p>
+
+<p>All thought of my becoming a missionary was abandoned
+for many years by my dear parents on account of the feebleness<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span>
+of my health. When the time came, however, <span class="smcap">God</span>
+gave increased health, and my life has been spared, and
+strength has been given for not a little toilsome service
+both in the mission field and at home, while many stronger
+men and women have succumbed.</p>
+
+<p>I had many opportunities in early years of learning
+the value of prayer and of the Word of <span class="smcap">God</span>; for it
+was the delight of my dear parents to point out that if
+there were any such Being as <span class="smcap">God</span>, to trust Him, to obey
+Him, and to be fully given up to His service, must of
+necessity be the best and wisest course both for myself
+and others. But in spite of these helpful examples and
+precepts my heart was unchanged. Often I had tried to
+make myself a Christian; and failing of course in such
+efforts, I began at last to think that for some reason or
+other I could not be saved, and that the best I could
+do was to take my fill of this world, as there was no
+hope for me beyond the grave.</p>
+
+<p>While in this state of mind I came in contact with
+persons holding sceptical and infidel views, and accepted
+their teaching, only too thankful for some hope of escape
+from the doom which, if my parents were right and the
+Bible true, awaited the impenitent. It may seem strange
+to say it, but I have often felt thankful for the experience
+of this time of scepticism. The inconsistencies of Christian
+people, who while professing to believe their Bibles were
+yet content to live just as they would if there were no
+such book, had been one of the strongest arguments
+of my sceptical companions; and I frequently felt at
+that time, and said, that if I pretended to believe the
+Bible I would at any rate attempt to live by it, putting
+it fairly to the test, and if it failed to prove true and reliable,
+would throw it overboard altogether. These views I
+retained when the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> was pleased to bring me to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>
+Himself; and I think I may say that since then I <i>have</i> put
+<span class="smcap">God's</span> Word to the test. Certainly it has never failed me.
+I have never had reason to regret the confidence I have
+placed in its promises, or to deplore following the guidance
+I have found in its directions.</p>
+
+<p>Let me tell you how <span class="smcap">God</span> answered the prayers of my
+dear mother and of my beloved sister, now Mrs. Broomhall,
+for my conversion. On a day which I shall never forget,
+when I was about fifteen years of age, my dear mother
+being absent from home, I had a holiday, and in the afternoon
+looked through my father's library to find some book
+with which to while away the unoccupied hours. Nothing
+attracting me, I turned over a little basket of pamphlets,
+and selected from amongst them a Gospel tract which
+looked interesting, saying to myself, "There will be a
+story at the commencement, and a sermon or moral at the
+close: I will take the former and leave the latter for those
+who like it."</p>
+
+<p>I sat down to read the little book in an utterly unconcerned
+state of mind, believing indeed at the time that if
+there were any salvation it was not for me, and with a distinct
+intention to put away the tract as soon as it should
+seem prosy. I may say that it was not uncommon in
+those days to call conversion "becoming serious"; and
+judging by the faces of some of its professors, it appeared
+to be a very serious matter indeed. Would it not be well
+if the people of <span class="smcap">God</span> had always tell-tale faces, evincing
+the blessings and gladness of salvation so clearly that
+unconverted people might have to call conversion "becoming
+joyful" instead of "becoming serious"?</p>
+
+<p>Little did I know at the time what was going on in
+the heart of my dear mother, seventy or eighty miles away.
+She rose from the dinner-table that afternoon with an
+intense yearning for the conversion of her boy, and feeling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>
+that&mdash;absent from home, and having more leisure than she
+could otherwise secure&mdash;a special opportunity was afforded
+her of pleading with <span class="smcap">God</span> on my behalf. She went to
+her room and turned the key in the door, resolved not
+to leave that spot until her prayers were answered. Hour
+after hour did that dear mother plead for me, until at
+length she could pray no longer, but was constrained to
+praise <span class="smcap">God</span> for that which His <span class="smcap">Spirit</span> taught her had
+already been accomplished&mdash;the conversion of her only son.</p>
+
+<p>I in the meantime had been led in the way I have
+mentioned to take up this little tract, and while reading
+it was struck with the sentence, "The finished work of
+<span class="smcap">Christ</span>." The thought passed through my mind, "Why
+does the author use this expression? why not say the
+atoning or propitiatory work of <span class="smcap">Christ</span>?" Immediately the
+words "It is finished" suggested themselves to my mind.
+What was finished? And I at once replied, "A full and
+perfect atonement and satisfaction for sin: the debt was
+paid by the Substitute; <span class="smcap">Christ</span> died for our sins, and not
+for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
+Then came the thought, "If the whole work was finished
+and the whole debt paid, what is there left for me to
+do?" And with this dawned the joyful conviction, as
+light was flashed into my soul by the <span class="smcap">Holy Spirit</span>, that
+there was nothing in the world to be done but to fall
+down on one's knees, and accepting this <span class="smcap">Saviour</span> and
+His salvation, to praise Him for evermore. Thus while
+my dear mother was praising <span class="smcap">God</span> on her knees in her
+chamber, I was praising Him in the old warehouse to
+which I had gone alone to read at my leisure this little
+book.</p>
+
+<p>Several days elapsed ere I ventured to make my beloved
+sister the confidante of my joy, and then only after she
+had promised not to tell any one of my soul secret.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span>
+When our dear mother came home a fortnight later, I was
+the first to meet her at the door, and to tell her I had
+such glad news to give. I can almost feel that dear
+mother's arms around my neck, as she pressed me to her
+bosom and said, "I know, my boy; I have been rejoicing
+for a fortnight in the glad tidings you have to tell me."
+"Why," I asked in surprise, "has Amelia broken her
+promise? She said she would tell no one." My dear
+mother assured me that it was not from any human
+source that she had learned the tidings, and went on
+to tell the little incident mentioned above. You will
+agree with me that it would be strange indeed if I were
+not a believer in the power of prayer.</p>
+
+<p>Nor was this all. Some little time after, I picked up
+a pocket-book exactly like one of my own, and thinking
+that it was mine, opened it. The lines that caught my
+eye were an entry in the little diary, which belonged to
+my sister, to the effect that she would give herself daily
+to prayer until <span class="smcap">God</span> should answer in the conversion of her
+brother. Exactly one month later the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> was pleased
+to turn me from darkness to light.</p>
+
+<p>Brought up in such a circle and saved under such
+circumstances, it was perhaps natural that from the commencement
+of my Christian life I was led to feel that the
+promises were very real, and that prayer was in sober matter
+of fact transacting business with <span class="smcap">God</span>, whether on one's
+own behalf or on behalf of those for whom one sought His
+blessing.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus04.jpg" width="500" height="193" alt="A heavy road in North China" title="A heavy road in North China" />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<h3>THE CALL TO SERVICE</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>THE first joys of conversion passed away after a time,
+and were succeeded by a period of painful deadness
+of soul, with much conflict. But this also came to an end,
+leaving a deepened sense of personal weakness and dependence
+on the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> as the only <span class="smcap">Keeper</span> as well as <span class="smcap">Saviour</span>
+of His people. How sweet to the soul, wearied and disappointed
+in its struggles with sin, is the calm repose of
+trust in the <span class="smcap">Shepherd</span> of Israel.</div>
+
+<p>Not many months after my conversion, having a leisure
+afternoon, I retired to my own chamber to spend it largely
+in communion with <span class="smcap">God</span>. Well do I remember that
+occasion. How in the gladness of my heart I poured out
+my soul before <span class="smcap">God</span>; and again and again confessing my
+grateful love to Him who had done everything for me&mdash;who
+had saved me when I had given up all hope and even
+desire for salvation&mdash;I besought Him to give me some
+work to do for Him, as an outlet for love and gratitude;
+some self-denying service, no matter what it might be,
+however trying or however trivial; something with which
+He would be pleased, and that I might do for Him who
+had done so much for me. Well do I remember, as in
+unreserved consecration I put myself, my life, my friends,
+my all, upon the altar, the deep solemnity that came over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>
+my soul with the assurance that my offering was accepted.
+The presence of <span class="smcap">God</span> became unutterably real and blessed;
+and though but a child under sixteen, I remember stretching
+myself on the ground, and lying there silent before Him
+with unspeakable awe and unspeakable joy.</p>
+
+<p>For what service I was accepted I knew not; but a
+deep consciousness that I was no longer my own took
+possession of me, which has never since been effaced. It
+has been a very practical consciousness. Two or three
+years later propositions of an unusually favourable nature
+were made to me with regard to medical study, on the
+condition of my becoming apprenticed to the medical man
+who was my friend and teacher. But I felt I dared not
+accept any binding engagement such as was suggested. I
+was not my own to give myself away; for I knew not
+when or how He whose alone I was, and for whose disposal
+I felt I must ever keep myself free, might call for service.</p>
+
+<p>Within a few months of this time of consecration the
+impression was wrought into my soul that it was in China
+the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> wanted me. It seemed to me highly probable
+that the work to which I was thus called might cost my life;
+for China was not then open as it is now. But few missionary
+societies had at that time workers in China, and
+but few books on the subject of China missions were
+accessible to me. I learned, however, that the Congregational
+minister of my native town possessed a copy
+of Medhurst's <i>China</i>, and I called upon him to ask a
+loan of the book. This he kindly granted, asking me
+why I wished to read it. I told him that <span class="smcap">God</span> had called
+me to spend my life in missionary service in that land.
+"And how do you propose to go there?" he inquired. I
+answered that I did not at all know; that it seemed to
+me probable that I should need to do as the Twelve
+and the Seventy had done in Jud&aelig;a&mdash;go without purse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>
+or scrip, relying on Him who had called me to supply
+all my need. Kindly placing his hand upon my shoulder,
+the minister replied, "Ah, my boy, as you grow older you
+will get wiser than that. Such an idea would do very
+well in the days when <span class="smcap">Christ</span> Himself was on earth, but
+not now."</p>
+
+<p>I have grown older since then, but not wiser. I am
+more than ever convinced that if we were to take the
+directions of our <span class="smcap">Master</span> and the assurances He gave to
+His first disciples more fully as our guide, we should find
+them to be just as suited to our times as to those in
+which they were originally given.</p>
+
+<p>Medhurst's book on China emphasised the value of
+medical missions there, and this directed my attention to
+medical studies as a valuable mode of preparation.</p>
+
+<p>My beloved parents neither discouraged nor encouraged
+my desire to engage in missionary work. They advised
+me, with such convictions, to use all the means in my
+power to develop the resources of body, mind, heart, and
+soul, and to wait prayerfully upon <span class="smcap">God</span>, quite willing,
+should He show me that I was mistaken, to follow His
+guidance, or to go forward if in due time He should open
+the way to missionary service. The importance of this
+advice I have often since had occasion to prove. I began
+to take more exercise in the open air to strengthen my
+physique. My feather bed I had taken away, and sought
+to dispense with as many other home comforts as I could,
+in order to prepare myself for rougher lines of life. I
+began also to do what Christian work was in my power, in
+the way of tract distribution, Sunday-school teaching, and
+visiting the poor and sick, as opportunity afforded.</p>
+
+<p>After a time of preparatory study at home, I went to
+Hull for medical and surgical training. There I became
+assistant to a doctor who was connected with the Hull<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>
+school of medicine, and was surgeon also to a number
+of factories, which brought many accident cases to our
+dispensary, and gave me the opportunity of seeing and
+practising the minor operations of surgery.</p>
+
+<p>And here an event took place that I must not omit
+to mention. Before leaving home my attention was drawn
+to the subject of setting apart the firstfruits of all one's
+increase and a proportionate part of one's possessions to
+the <span class="smcap">Lord's</span> service. I thought it well to study the
+question with my Bible in hand before I went away from
+home, and was placed in circumstances which might bias
+my conclusions by the pressure of surrounding wants and
+cares. I was thus led to the determination to set apart
+not less than one-tenth of whatever moneys I might earn or
+become possessed of for the <span class="smcap">Lord's</span> service. The salary I
+received as medical assistant in Hull at the time now
+referred to would have allowed me with ease to do this.
+But owing to changes in the family of my kind friend and
+employer, it was necessary for me to reside out of doors.
+Comfortable quarters were secured with a relative, and
+in addition to the sum determined on as remuneration
+for my services I received the exact amount I had to pay
+for board and lodging.</p>
+
+<p>Now arose in my mind the question, Ought not this
+sum also to be tithed? It was surely a part of my income,
+and I felt that if it had been a question of Government
+income tax it certainly would not have been excluded.
+On the other hand, to take a tithe from the whole would
+not leave me sufficient for other purposes; and for some
+little time I was much embarrassed to know what to do.
+After much thought and prayer I was led to leave the
+comfortable quarters and happy circle in which I was
+now residing, and to engage a little lodging in the
+suburbs&mdash;a sitting-room and bedroom in one&mdash;undertaking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>
+to board myself. In this way I was able without
+difficulty to tithe the whole of my income; and while I
+felt the change a good deal, it was attended with no small
+blessing.</p>
+
+<p>More time was given in my solitude to the study of
+the Word of <span class="smcap">God</span>, to visiting the poor, and to evangelistic
+work on summer evenings than would otherwise have
+been the case. Brought into contact in this way with
+many who were in distress, I soon saw the privilege of
+still further economising, and found it not difficult to give
+away much more than the proportion of my income I had
+at first intended.</p>
+
+<p>About this time a friend drew my attention to the
+question of the personal and pre-millennial coming of our
+<span class="smcap">Lord Jesus Christ</span>, and gave me a list of passages
+bearing upon it, without note or comment, advising me
+to ponder the subject. For a while I gave much time to
+studying the Scriptures about it, with the result that I was
+led to see that this same <span class="smcap">Jesus</span> who left our earth in His
+resurrection body was so to come again, that His feet
+were to stand on the Mount of Olives, and that He was
+to take possession of the temporal throne of His father
+David which was promised before His birth. I saw,
+further, that all through the New Testament the coming
+of the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> was the great hope of His people, and
+was always appealed to as the strongest motive for consecration
+and service, and as the greatest comfort in trial
+and affliction. I learned, too, that the period of His
+return for His people was not revealed, and that it was
+their privilege, from day to day and from hour to hour,
+to live as men who wait for the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>; that thus living
+it was immaterial, so to speak, whether He should or
+should not come at any particular hour, the important
+thing being to be so ready for Him as to be able, whenever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>
+He might appear, to give an account of one's stewardship
+with joy, and not with grief.</p>
+
+<p>The effect of this blessed hope was a thoroughly
+practical one. It led me to look carefully through my
+little library to see if there were any books there that
+were not needed or likely to be of further service, and
+to examine my small wardrobe, to be quite sure that it
+contained nothing that I should be sorry to give an account
+of should the <span class="smcap">Master</span> come at once. The result was
+that the library was considerably diminished, to the benefit
+of some poor neighbours, and to the far greater benefit of
+my own and that I found I had articles of clothing
+also which might be put to better advantage in other
+directions.</p>
+
+<p>It has been very helpful to me from time to time
+through life, as occasion has served, to act again in a
+similar way; and I have never gone through my house,
+from basement to attic, with this object in view, without
+receiving a great accession of spiritual joy and blessing. I
+believe we are all in danger of accumulating&mdash;it may be
+from thoughtlessness, or from pressure of occupation&mdash;things
+which would be useful to others, while not needed
+by ourselves, and the retention of which entails loss of
+blessing. If the whole resources of the Church of <span class="smcap">God</span>
+were well utilised, how much more might be accomplished!
+How many poor might be fed and naked clothed, and to
+how many of those as yet unreached the Gospel might be
+carried! Let me advise this line of things as a constant
+habit of mind, and a profitable course to be practically
+adopted whenever circumstances permit.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus05.jpg" width="500" height="196" alt="Salt junk on the Yang-tsi" title="Salt junk on the Yang-tsi" />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h3>PREPARATION FOR SERVICE</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>HAVING now the twofold object in view of accustoming
+myself to endure hardness, and of economising
+in order to be able more largely to assist those amongst
+whom I spent a good deal of time labouring in the Gospel,
+I soon found that I could live upon very much less than I
+had previously thought possible. Butter, milk, and other
+such luxuries I soon ceased to use; and I found that by
+living mainly on oatmeal and rice, with occasional variations,
+a very small sum was sufficient for my needs. In this way
+I had more than two-thirds of my income available for
+other purposes; and my experience was that the less I
+spent on myself and the more I gave away, the fuller of
+happiness and blessing did my soul become. Unspeakable
+joy all the day long, and every day, was my happy
+experience. <span class="smcap">God</span>, even my <span class="smcap">God</span>, was a living, bright
+Reality; and all I had to do was joyful service.</div>
+
+<p>It was to me a very grave matter, however, to contemplate
+going out to China, far away from all human aid,
+there to depend upon the living <span class="smcap">God</span> alone for protection,
+supplies, and help of every kind. I felt that one's spiritual
+muscles required strengthening for such an undertaking.
+There was no doubt that if faith did not fail, <span class="smcap">God</span> would
+not fail; but, then, what if one's faith should prove insufficient?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>
+I had not at that time learned that even "if
+we believe not, He abideth faithful, He cannot deny Himself";
+and it was consequently a very serious question to
+my mind, not whether <i>He</i> was faithful, but whether I
+had strong enough faith to warrant my embarking in the
+enterprise set before me.</p>
+
+<p>I thought to myself, "When I get out to China, I shall
+have no claim on any one for anything; my only claim will
+be on <span class="smcap">God</span>. How important, therefore, to learn before
+leaving England to move man, through <span class="smcap">God</span>, by prayer
+alone."</p>
+
+<p>At Hull my kind employer, always busily occupied,
+wished me to remind him whenever my salary became
+due. This I determined not to do directly, but to ask that
+<span class="smcap">God</span> would bring the fact to his recollection, and thus encourage
+me by answering prayer. At one time, as the day
+drew near for the payment of a quarter's salary, I was as
+usual much in prayer about it. The time arrived, but my
+kind friend made no allusion to the matter. I continued
+praying, and days passed on, but he did not remember,
+until at length, on settling up my weekly accounts one
+Saturday night, I found myself possessed of only a single
+coin&mdash;one half-crown piece. Still I had hitherto had no
+lack, and I continued in prayer.</p>
+
+<p>That Sunday was a very happy one. As usual my heart
+was full and brimming over with blessing. After attending
+Divine service in the morning, my afternoons and
+evenings were filled with Gospel work, in the various
+lodging-houses I was accustomed to visit in the lowest
+part of the town. At such times it almost seemed to me
+as if heaven were begun below, and that all that could
+be looked for was an enlargement of one's capacity for
+joy, not a truer filling than I possessed. After concluding
+my last service about ten o'clock that night, a poor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>
+man asked me to go and pray with his wife, saying that
+she was dying. I readily agreed, and on the way to his
+house asked him why he had not sent for the priest, as
+his accent told me he was an Irishman. He had done so,
+he said, but the priest refused to come without a payment
+of eighteenpence, which the man did not possess, as the
+family was starving. Immediately it occurred to my mind
+that all the money I had in the world was the solitary half-crown,
+and that it was in one coin; moreover, that while
+the basin of water gruel I usually took for supper was
+awaiting me, and there was sufficient in the house for
+breakfast in the morning, I certainly had nothing for
+dinner on the coming day.</p>
+
+<p>Somehow or other there was at once a stoppage in the
+flow of joy in my heart; but instead of reproving myself I
+began to reprove the poor man, telling him that it was
+very wrong to have allowed matters to get into such a state
+as he described, and that he ought to have applied to the
+relieving officer. His answer was that he had done so, and
+was told to come at eleven o'clock the next morning, but
+that he feared that his wife might not live through the
+night. "Ah," thought I, "if only I had two shillings
+and a sixpence instead of this half-crown, how gladly
+would I give these poor people one shilling of it!" But to
+part with the half-crown was far from my thoughts. I
+little dreamed that the real truth of the matter simply
+was that I could trust in <span class="smcap">God</span> plus one-and-sixpence, but
+was not yet prepared to trust Him only, without any
+money at all in my pocket.</p>
+
+<p>My conductor led me into a court, down which I
+followed him with some degree of nervousness. I had
+found myself there before, and at my last visit had
+been very roughly handled, while my tracts were torn to
+pieces, and I received such a warning not to come again<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>
+that I felt more than a little concerned. Still, it was the
+path of duty, and I followed on. Up a miserable flight
+of stairs, into a wretched room, he led me; and oh what
+a sight there presented itself to our eyes! Four or five
+poor children stood about, their sunken cheeks and
+temples all telling unmistakably the story of slow starvation;
+and lying on a wretched pallet was a poor exhausted
+mother, with a tiny infant thirty-six hours old, moaning
+rather than crying at her side, for it too seemed spent and
+failing. "Ah!" thought I, "if I had two shillings and a
+sixpence instead of half-a-crown, how gladly should they
+have one-and-sixpence of it!" But still a wretched unbelief
+prevented me from obeying the impulse to relieve
+their distress at the cost of all I possessed.</p>
+
+<p>It will scarcely seem strange that I was unable to say
+much to comfort these poor people. I needed comfort
+myself. I began to tell them, however, that they must not
+be cast down, that though their circumstances were very
+distressing, there was a kind and loving <span class="smcap">Father</span> in
+heaven; but something within me said, "You hypocrite!
+telling these unconverted people about a kind and loving
+<span class="smcap">Father</span> in heaven, and not prepared yourself to trust Him
+without half-a-crown!" I was nearly choked. How gladly
+would I have compromised with conscience if I had had a
+florin and a sixpence! I would have given the florin thankfully
+and kept the rest; but I was not yet prepared to
+trust in <span class="smcap">God</span> alone, without the sixpence.</p>
+
+<p>To talk was impossible under these circumstances;
+yet, strange to say, I thought I should have no difficulty
+in praying. Prayer was a delightful occupation to me in
+those days; time thus spent never seemed wearisome, and
+I knew nothing of lack of words. I seemed to think that
+all I should have to do would be to kneel down and
+engage in prayer, and that relief would come to them and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>
+to myself together. "You asked me to come and pray
+with your wife," I said to the man, "let us pray." And I
+knelt down. But scarcely had I opened my lips with "Our
+<span class="smcap">Father</span> who art in heaven" than conscience said within,
+"Dare you mock <span class="smcap">God</span>? Dare you kneel down and call
+Him <span class="smcap">Father</span> with that half-crown in your pocket?"
+Such a time of conflict came upon me then as I have
+never experienced before or since. How I got through
+that form of prayer I know not, and whether the words
+uttered were connected or disconnected I cannot tell;
+but I arose from my knees in great distress of mind.</p>
+
+<p>The poor father turned to me and said, "You see what
+a terrible state we are in, sir; if you can help us, for <span class="smcap">God's</span>
+sake do!" Just then the word flashed into my mind,
+"Give to him that asketh of thee," and in the word of a
+<span class="smcap">King</span> there is power. I put my hand into my pocket,
+and slowly drawing forth the half-crown, gave it to the man,
+telling him that it might seem a small matter for me to relieve
+them, seeing that I was comparatively well off, but that in
+parting with that coin I was giving him my all; what I
+had been trying to tell him was indeed true&mdash;<span class="smcap">God</span> really
+was a <span class="smcap">Father</span>, and might be trusted. The joy all came
+back in full flood-tide to my heart; I could say anything
+and feel it then, and the hindrance to blessing was gone&mdash;gone,
+I trust, for ever.</p>
+
+<p>Not only was the poor woman's life saved, but I realised
+that my life was saved too! It might have been a wreck&mdash;would
+have been a wreck probably, as a Christian life&mdash;had
+not grace at that time conquered, and the striving
+of <span class="smcap">God's Spirit</span> been obeyed. I well remember how that
+night, as I went home to my lodgings, my heart was as light
+as my pocket. The lonely, deserted streets resounded with
+a hymn of praise which I could not restrain. When I took
+my basin of gruel before retiring, I would not have exchanged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>
+it for a prince's feast. I reminded the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> as
+I knelt at my bedside of His own Word, that he who giveth
+to the poor lendeth to the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>: I asked Him not to let
+my loan be a long one, or I should have no dinner next
+day; and with peace within and peace without, I spent a
+happy, restful night.</p>
+
+<p>Next morning for breakfast my plate of porridge remained,
+and before it was consumed the postman's knock
+was heard at the door. I was not in the habit of receiving
+letters on Monday, as my parents and most of my
+friends refrained from posting on Saturday; so that I was
+somewhat surprised when the landlady came in holding a
+letter or packet in her wet hand covered by her apron.
+I looked at the letter, but could not make out the handwriting.
+It was either a strange hand or a feigned one,
+and the postmark was blurred. Where it came from I
+could not tell. On opening the envelope I found nothing
+written within; but inside a sheet of blank paper was
+folded a pair of kid gloves, from which, as I opened them
+in astonishment, half-a-sovereign fell to the ground. "Praise
+the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>!" I exclaimed; "400 per cent for twelve hours
+investment; that is good interest. How glad the merchants
+of Hull would be if they could lend their money at such
+a rate!" I then and there determined that a bank which
+could not break should have my savings or earnings as the
+case might be&mdash;a determination I have not yet learned to
+regret.</p>
+
+<p>I cannot tell you how often my mind has recurred to
+this incident, or all the help it has been to me in circumstances
+of difficulty in after-life. If we are faithful to <span class="smcap">God</span>
+in little things, we shall gain experience and strength that
+will be helpful to us in the more serious trials of life.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus06.jpg" width="500" height="168" alt="Travelling by mule cart on &quot;the great plain&quot;" title="Travelling by mule cart on &quot;the great plain&quot;" />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<h3>FURTHER ANSWERS TO PRAYER</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>THE remarkable and gracious deliverance I have spoken
+of, was a great joy to me, as well as a strong confirmation
+of faith; but of course ten shillings, however
+economically used, will not go very far, and it was none
+the less necessary to continue in prayer, asking that the
+larger supply which was still due might be remembered and
+paid. All my petitions, however, appeared to remain unanswered;
+and before a fortnight had elapsed I found
+myself pretty much in the same position that I had
+occupied on the Sunday night already made so memorable.
+Meanwhile, I continued pleading with <span class="smcap">God</span>, more
+and more earnestly, that He would graciously remind
+my employer that my salary was overdue. Of course it
+was not the want of the money that distressed me&mdash;that
+could have been had at any time for the asking&mdash;but the
+question uppermost in my mind was this: "Can I go to
+China? or will my want of faith and power with <span class="smcap">God</span> prove
+to be so serious an obstacle as to preclude my entering
+upon this much-prized service?"</div>
+
+<p>As the week drew to a close I felt exceedingly embarrassed.
+There was not only myself to consider; on
+Saturday night a payment would be due to my Christian
+landlady which I knew she could not well dispense with.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>
+Ought I not, for her sake, to speak about the matter of
+the salary? Yet to do so would be, to myself at any
+rate, the admission that I was not fitted to undertake a
+missionary enterprise. I gave nearly the whole of Thursday
+and Friday&mdash;all the time not occupied in my necessary
+employment&mdash;to earnest wrestling with <span class="smcap">God</span> in prayer.
+But still on Saturday morning I was in the same position
+as before. And now my earnest cry was for guidance
+as to whether it was my duty to break silence and speak
+to my employer, or whether I should still continue to wait
+the <span class="smcap">Father</span>'s time. As far as I could judge, I received the
+assurance that to wait His time was best; and that <span class="smcap">God</span>
+in some way or other would interpose on my behalf. So
+I waited, my heart being now at rest and the burden gone.</p>
+
+<p>About five o'clock that Saturday afternoon, when the
+doctor had finished writing his prescriptions, his last
+circuit for the day being taken, he threw himself back in
+his arm-chair, as he was wont, and began to speak of the
+things of <span class="smcap">God</span>. He was a truly Christian man, and many
+seasons of very happy spiritual fellowship we had together.
+I was busily watching, at the time, a pan in which a
+decoction was boiling that required a good deal of attention.
+It was indeed fortunate for me that it was so, for without
+any obvious connection with what had been going on, all
+at once he said, "By-the-bye, Taylor, is not your salary
+due again?" My emotion may be imagined! I had to
+swallow two or three times before I could answer. With
+my eye fixed on the pan and my back to the doctor,
+I told him as quietly as I could that it was overdue some
+little time. How thankful I felt at that moment! <span class="smcap">God</span>
+surely had heard my prayer, and caused him, in this
+time of my great need, to remember the salary without
+any word or suggestion from me. He replied, "Oh, I am
+so sorry you did not remind me! You know how busy I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>
+am; I wish I had thought of it a little sooner, for only
+this afternoon I sent all the money I had to the bank,
+otherwise I would pay you at once." It is impossible to
+describe the revulsion of feeling caused by this unexpected
+statement. I knew not what to do. Fortunately for me
+my pan boiled up, and I had a good reason for rushing with
+it from the room. Glad indeed I was to get away, and
+keep out of sight until after the doctor had returned to his
+house, and most thankful that he had not perceived my
+emotion.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as he was gone I had to seek my little
+sanctum, and pour out my heart before the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> for some
+time, before calmness&mdash;and more than calmness&mdash;thankfulness,
+and joy were restored to me. I felt that <span class="smcap">God</span> had
+His own way, and was not going to fail me. I had sought
+to know His will early in the day, and as far as I could
+judge had received guidance to wait patiently; and now
+<span class="smcap">God</span> was going to work for me in some other way.</p>
+
+<p>That evening was spent, as my Saturday evenings
+usually were, in reading the Word and preparing the
+subjects on which I expected to speak in the various
+lodging-houses on the morrow. I waited, perhaps, a
+little longer than usual. At last, about ten o'clock, there
+being no interruption of any kind, I put on my overcoat,
+and was preparing to leave for home, rather thankful
+to know that by that time I should have to let myself
+in with the latch-key, as my landlady retired early to
+rest. There was certainly no help for that night; but
+perhaps <span class="smcap">God</span> would interpose for me by Monday, and I
+might be able to pay my landlady early in the week the
+money I would have given her before, had it been possible.</p>
+
+<p>Just as I was preparing to turn down the gas, I heard
+the doctor's step in the garden which lay between the
+dwelling-house and surgery. He was laughing to himself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>
+very heartily, as though greatly amused by something.
+Entering the surgery, he asked for the ledger, and told
+me that, strange to say, one of his richest patients had
+just come to pay his doctor's bill&mdash;was it not an odd
+thing to do? It never struck me that it might have any
+bearing on my own particular case, or I might have felt
+embarrassed; but looking at it simply from the position of
+an uninterested spectator, I also was highly amused that a
+man who was rolling in wealth should come after ten
+o'clock at night to pay a doctor's bill, which he could any
+day have met by a cheque with the greatest ease. It
+appeared that somehow or other he could not rest with
+this on his mind, and had been constrained to come
+at that unusual hour to discharge his liability.</p>
+
+<p>The account was duly receipted in the ledger, and
+the doctor was about to leave, when suddenly he turned,
+and handing me some of the bank notes just received,
+said, to my surprise and thankfulness, "By the way, Taylor,
+you might as well take these notes; I have not any change,
+but can give you the balance next week." Again I was
+left&mdash;my feelings undiscovered&mdash;to go back to my own
+little closet and praise the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> with a joyful heart that
+after all I might go to China.</p>
+
+<p>To me this incident was not a trivial one; and to recall
+it sometimes, in circumstances of great difficulty, in China
+or elsewhere, has proved no small comfort and strength.</p>
+
+<p>By-and-by the time drew near when it was thought desirable
+that I should leave Hull to attend the medical course
+of the London Hospital. A little while spent there, and
+then I had every reason to believe that my life-work in
+China would commence. But much as I had rejoiced
+at the willingness of <span class="smcap">God</span> to hear and answer prayer and
+to help His half-trusting, half-timid child, I felt that I
+could not go to China without having still further developed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>
+and tested my power to rest upon His faithfulness;
+and a marked opportunity for doing so was providentially
+afforded me.</p>
+
+<p>My dear father had offered to bear all the expense of
+my stay in London. I knew, however, that, owing to
+recent losses, it would mean a considerable sacrifice for
+him to undertake this just when it seemed necessary for
+me to go forward. I had recently become acquainted
+with the Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society,
+in connection with which I ultimately left for China,
+and especially with its secretary, my esteemed and much-loved
+friend Mr. George Pearse, then of the Stock Exchange,
+but now<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> and for many years himself a missionary.
+Not knowing of my father's proposition, the Committee
+also kindly offered to bear my expenses while in London.
+When these proposals were first made to me, I was not
+quite clear as to what I ought to do, and in writing to
+my father and the secretaries, told them that I would
+take a few days to pray about the matter before deciding
+any course of action. I mentioned to my father that
+I had had this offer from the Society, and told the
+secretaries also of his proffered aid.</p>
+
+<p>Subsequently, while waiting upon <span class="smcap">God</span> in prayer for
+guidance, it became clear to my mind that I could without
+difficulty decline both offers. The secretaries of the
+Society would not know that I had cast myself wholly
+on <span class="smcap">God</span> for supplies, and my father would conclude that
+I had accepted the other offer. I therefore wrote declining
+both propositions, and felt that without any one having
+either care or anxiety on my account I was simply in the
+hands of <span class="smcap">God</span>, and that He, who knew my heart, if He
+wished to encourage me to go to China, would bless my
+effort to depend upon Him alone at home.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus07.jpg" width="500" height="175" alt="Ch&#39;ung-k&#39;ing, the Yang-tsi, and mountains beyond" title="Ch&#39;ung-k&#39;ing, the Yang-tsi, and mountains beyond" />
+</div>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<h3>LIFE IN LONDON</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>I MUST not now attempt to detail the ways in which
+the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> was pleased&mdash;often to my surprise, as well as
+to my delight&mdash;to help me from time to time. I soon found
+that it was not possible to live quite as economically in
+London as in Hull. To lessen expenses I shared a room
+with a cousin, four miles from the hospital, providing
+myself with board; and after various experiments I found
+that the most economical way was to live almost exclusively
+on brown bread and water. Thus I was able to make the
+means that <span class="smcap">God</span> gave me last as long as possible. Some
+of my expenses I could not diminish, but my board was
+largely within my own control. A large twopenny loaf of
+brown bread, purchased daily on my long walk from the
+hospital, furnished me with supper and breakfast; and on
+that diet, with a few apples for lunch, I managed to walk
+eight or nine miles a day, besides being a good deal on
+foot while attending the practice of the hospital and the
+medical school.</div>
+
+<p>One incident that occurred just about this time I must
+refer to. The husband of my former landlady in Hull was
+chief officer of a ship that sailed from London, and by
+receiving his half-pay monthly and remitting it to her I
+was able to save her the cost of a commission. This I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>
+had been doing for several months, when she wrote requesting
+that I would obtain the next payment as early as
+possible, as her rent was almost due, and she depended
+upon that sum to meet it. The request came at an
+inconvenient time. I was working hard for an examination
+in the hope of obtaining a scholarship which would
+be of service to me, and felt that I could ill afford the
+time to go during the busiest part of the day to the city
+and procure the money. I had, however, sufficient of my
+own in hand to enable me to send the required sum. I
+made the remittance therefore, purposing, as soon as the
+examination was over, to go and draw the regular allowance
+with which to refund myself.</p>
+
+<p>Before the time of examination the medical school
+was closed for a day, on account of the funeral of the
+Duke of Wellington, and I had an opportunity of going
+at once to the office, which was situated in a street on
+Cheapside, and applying for the due amount. To my
+surprise and dismay the cleric told me that he could not
+pay it, as the officer in question had run away from his
+ship and gone to the gold diggings. "Well," I remarked,
+"that is very inconvenient for me, as I have already
+advanced the money, and I know his wife will have no
+means of repaying it." The clerk said he was sorry, but
+could of course only act according to orders; so there was
+no help for me in that direction. A little more time and
+thought, however, brought the comforting conclusion to my
+mind, that as I was depending on the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> for everything,
+and His means were not limited, it was a small
+matter to be brought a little sooner or later into the
+position of needing fresh supplies from Him; and so the
+joy and the peace were not long interfered with.</p>
+
+<p>Very soon after this, possibly the same evening, while
+sewing together some sheets of paper on which to take<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>
+notes of the lectures, I accidentally pricked the first finger
+of my right hand, and in a few moments forgot all about
+it. The next day at the hospital I continued dissecting
+as before. The body was that of a person who had died
+of fever, and was more than usually disagreeable and
+dangerous. I need scarcely say that those of us who
+were at work upon it dissected with special care, knowing
+that the slightest scratch might cost us our lives. Before
+the morning was far advanced I began to feel very weary,
+and while going through the surgical wards at noon was
+obliged to run out, being suddenly very sick&mdash;a most
+unusual circumstance with me, as I took but little food
+and nothing that could disagree with me. After feeling
+faint for some time, a draught of cold water revived me,
+and I was able to rejoin the students. I became more and
+more unwell, however, and ere the afternoon lecture on
+surgery was over found it impossible to hold the pencil and
+continue taking notes. By the time the next lecture was
+through, my whole arm and right side were full of severe
+pain, and I was both looking and feeling very ill.</p>
+
+<p>Finding that I could not resume work, I went into
+the dissecting-room to bind up the portion I was engaged
+upon and put away my apparatus, and said to the demonstrator,
+who was a very skilful surgeon, "I cannot think what
+has come over me," describing the symptoms. "Why,"
+said he, "what has happened is clear enough: you must
+have cut yourself in dissecting, and you know that this is a
+case of malignant fever." I assured him that I had been
+most careful, and was quite certain that I had no cut or
+scratch. "Well," he replied, "you certainly must have
+had one;" and he very closely scrutinised my hand to find
+it, but in vain. All at once it occurred to me that I had
+pricked my finger the night before, and I asked him if it
+were possible that a prick from a needle, at that time, could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>
+have been still unclosed. His opinion was that this was
+probably the cause of the trouble, and he advised me to
+get a hansom, drive home as fast as I could, and arrange
+my affairs forthwith. "For," he said, "you are a dead
+man."</p>
+
+<p>My first thought was one of sorrow that I could not go
+to China; but very soon came the feeling, "Unless I am
+greatly mistaken, I have work to do in China, and shall not
+die." I was glad, however, to take the opportunity of
+speaking to my medical friend, who was a confirmed
+sceptic as to things spiritual, of the joy that the prospect
+of perhaps soon being with my <span class="smcap">Master</span> gave me; telling
+him at the same time that I did not think I should die, as,
+unless I were much mistaken, I had work to do in China;
+and if so, however severe the struggle, I must be brought
+through. "That is all very well," he answered, "but you
+get a hansom and drive home as fast as you can. You
+have no time to lose, for you will soon be incapable of
+winding up your affairs."</p>
+
+<p>I smiled a little at the idea of my driving home in
+a hansom, for by this time my means were too exhausted
+to allow of such a proceeding, and I set out to walk the
+distance if possible. Before long, however, my strength
+gave way, and I felt it was no use to attempt to reach
+home by walking. Availing myself of an omnibus from
+Whitechapel Church to Farringdon Street, and another
+from Farringdon Street onwards, I reached, in great
+suffering, the neighbourhood of Soho Square, behind
+which I lived. On going into the house I got some
+hot water from the servant, and charging her very earnestly&mdash;literally
+as a dying man&mdash;to accept eternal life as the
+gift of <span class="smcap">God</span> through <span class="smcap">Jesus Christ</span>, I bathed my head and
+lanced the finger, hoping to let out some of the poisoned
+blood. The pain was very severe; I fainted away, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>
+was for some time unconscious, so long that when I
+came to myself I found that I had been carried to bed.</p>
+
+<p>An uncle of mine who lived near at hand had come
+in, and sent for his own medical man, an assistant surgeon
+at the Westminster Hospital. I assured my uncle that
+medical help would be of no service to me, and that I
+did not wish to go to the expense involved. He, however,
+quieted me on this score, saying that he had sent
+for his own doctor, and that the bill would be charged to
+himself. When the surgeon came and learned all the
+particulars, he said, "Well, if you have been living moderately,
+you may pull through; but if you have been going
+in for beer and that sort of thing, there is no manner of
+chance for you." I thought that if sober living was to
+do anything, few could have a better chance, as little but
+bread and water had been my diet for a good while past.
+I told him I had lived abstemiously, and found that it
+helped me in study. "But now," he said, "you must keep
+up your strength, for it will be a pretty hard struggle."
+And he ordered me a bottle of port wine every day, and
+as many chops as I could consume. Again I smiled inwardly,
+having no means for the purchase of such luxuries.
+This difficulty, however, was also met by my kind uncle,
+who sent me at once all that was needed.</p>
+
+<p>I was much concerned, notwithstanding the agony
+I suffered, that my dear parents should not be made
+acquainted with my state. Thought and prayer had satisfied
+me that I was not going to die, but that there was
+indeed a work for me to do in China. If my dear parents
+should come up and find me in that condition, I must
+lose the opportunity of seeing how <span class="smcap">God</span> was going to work
+for me, now that my money had almost come to an end.
+So, after prayer for guidance, I obtained a promise from
+my uncle and cousin not to write to my parents, but to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>
+leave me to communicate with them myself. I felt it was
+a very distinct answer to prayer when they gave me
+this promise, and I took care to defer all communication
+with them myself until the crisis was past and the worst
+of the attack over. At home they knew that I was working
+hard for an examination, and did not wonder at my
+silence.</p>
+
+<p>Days and nights of suffering passed slowly by; but
+at length, after several weeks, I was sufficiently restored to
+leave my room; and then I learned that two men, though
+not from the London Hospital, who had had dissection
+wounds at the same time as myself, had both succumbed,
+while I was spared in answer to prayer to work for <span class="smcap">God</span>
+in China.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus08.jpg" width="500" height="393" alt="Water gate and Custom house, Soo-chow " title="Water gate and Custom house, Soo-chow " />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus09.jpg" width="500" height="161" alt="View on the Kwang-sin River" title="View on the Kwang-sin River" />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<h3>STRENGTHENED BY FAITH</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>ONE day the doctor coming in found me on the sofa,
+and was surprised to learn that with assistance I had
+walked downstairs. "Now," he said, "the best thing you
+can go is to get off to the country as soon as you feel
+equal to the journey. You must rusticate until you have
+recovered a fair amount of health and strength, for if you
+begin your work too soon the consequences may still be
+serious." When he had left, as I lay very exhausted on
+the sofa, I just told the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> all about it, and that I was
+refraining from making my circumstances known to those
+who would delight to meet my need, in order that my faith
+might be strengthened by receiving help from Himself in
+answer to prayer alone. What was I to do? And I waited
+for His answer.</div>
+
+<p>It seemed to me as if He were directing my mind to
+the conclusion to go again to the shipping office, and inquire
+about the wages I had been unable to draw. I reminded
+the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> that I could not afford to take a conveyance, and
+that it did not seem at all likely that I should succeed in
+getting the money, and asked whether this impulse was
+not a mere clutching at a straw, some mental process of
+my own, rather than His guidance and teaching. After
+prayer, however, and renewed waiting upon <span class="smcap">God</span>, I was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>
+confirmed in my belief that He Himself was teaching me
+to go to the office.</p>
+
+<p>The next question was, "How am I to go?" I had
+had to seek help in coming downstairs, and the place was
+at least two miles away. The assurance was brought
+vividly home to me that whatever I asked of <span class="smcap">God</span> in the
+name of <span class="smcap">Christ</span> would be done, that the <span class="smcap">Father</span> might
+be glorified in the <span class="smcap">Son</span>; that what I had to do was to
+seek strength for the long walk, to receive it by faith,
+and to set out upon it. Unhesitatingly I told the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>
+that I was quite willing to take the walk if He would give
+me the strength. I asked in the name of <span class="smcap">Christ</span> that
+the strength might be immediately given; and sending
+the servant up to my room for my hat and stick, I set
+out, not to <i>attempt</i> to walk, but <span class="smcap">to walk</span> to Cheapside.</p>
+
+<p>Although undoubtedly strengthened by faith, I never
+took so much interest in shop windows as I did upon that
+journey. At every second or third step I was glad to
+lean a little against the plate glass, and take time to
+examine the contents of the windows before passing on.
+It needed a special effort of faith when I got to the
+bottom of Farringdon Street to attempt the toilsome ascent
+of Snow Hill: there was no Holborn Viaduct in those
+days, and it had to be done. <span class="smcap">God</span> did wonderfully help
+me, and in due time I reached Cheapside, turned into
+the by-street in which the office was found, and sat down
+much exhausted on the steps leading to the first floor,
+which was my destination. I felt my position to be a
+little peculiar&mdash;sitting there on the steps, so evidently
+spent&mdash;and the gentlemen who rushed up and downstairs
+looked at me with an inquiring gaze. After a
+little rest, however, and a further season of prayer, I
+succeeded in climbing the staircase, and to my comfort
+found in the office the clerk with whom I had hitherto<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>
+dealt in the matter. Seeing me looking pale and exhausted,
+he kindly inquired as to my health, and I told
+him that I had had a serious illness, and was ordered
+to the country, but thought it well to call first, and make
+further inquiry, lest there should have been any mistake
+about the mate having run off to the gold diggings.
+"Oh," he said, "I am so glad you have come, for it turns
+out that it was an able seaman of the same name that ran
+away. The mate is still on board; the ship has just
+reached Gravesend, and will be up very soon. I shall
+be glad to give you the half-pay up to date, for doubtless
+it will reach his wife more safely through you. We all
+know what temptations beset the men when they arrive at
+home after a voyage."</p>
+
+<p>Before, however, giving me the sum of money, he
+insisted upon my coming inside and sharing his lunch. I
+felt it was the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> indeed who was providing for me, and
+accepted his offer with thankfulness. When I was refreshed
+and rested, he gave me a sheet of paper to write a few lines
+to the wife, telling her of the circumstances. On my way
+back I procured in Cheapside a money order for the balance
+due to her, and posted it; and returning home again, felt
+myself now quite justified in taking an omnibus as far as it
+would serve me.</p>
+
+<p>Very much better the next morning, after seeing to
+some little matters that I had to settle, I made my way to
+the surgery of the doctor who had attended me, feeling
+that, although my uncle was prepared to pay the bill, it
+was right for me, now that I had some money in hand, to
+ask for the account myself. The kind surgeon refused to
+allow me, as a medical student, to pay anything for his
+attendance: but he had supplied me with quinine, which
+he allowed me to pay for to the extent of eight shillings.
+When that was settled, I saw that the sum left was just<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>
+sufficient to take me home; and to my mind the whole
+thing seemed a wonderful interposition of <span class="smcap">God</span> on my
+behalf.</p>
+
+<p>I knew that the surgeon was sceptical, and told him that
+I should very much like to speak to him freely, if I might
+do so without offence; that I felt that under <span class="smcap">God</span> I owed
+my life to his kind care, and wished very earnestly that he
+himself might become a partaker of the same precious faith
+that I possessed. So I told him my reason for being in
+London, and about my circumstances, and why I had
+declined the help of both my father and the officers of the
+Society in connection with which it was probable that I
+should go to China. I told him of the recent providential
+dealings of <span class="smcap">God</span> with me, and how apparently hopeless
+my position had been the day before, when he had ordered
+me to go to the country, unless I would reveal my need,
+which I had determined not to do. I described to him
+the mental exercises I had gone through; but when I
+added that I had actually got up from the sofa and walked
+to Cheapside, he looked at me incredulously, and
+"Impossible! Why, I left you lying there more like a
+ghost than a man." And I had to assure him again and
+again that, strengthened by faith, the walk had really been
+taken. I told him also what money was left to me, and
+what payments there had been to make, and showed him
+that just sufficient remained to take me home to Yorkshire,
+providing for needful refreshment by the way and the
+omnibus journey at the end.</p>
+
+<p>My kind friend was completely broken down, and said
+with tears in his eyes, "I would give all the world for a
+faith like yours." I, on the other hand, had the joy of
+telling him that it was to be obtained without money and
+without price. We never met again. When I came back
+to town, restored to health and strength, I found that he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>
+had had a stroke, and left for the country; and I subsequently
+learned that he never rallied. I was able to
+gain no information as to his state of mind when taken
+away; but I have always felt very thankful that I had the
+opportunity, and embraced it, of bearing that testimony for
+<span class="smcap">God</span>. I cannot but entertain the hope that the <span class="smcap">Master</span>
+Himself was speaking to him through His dealings with
+me, and that I shall meet him again in the Better Land.
+It would be no small joy to be welcomed by him, when
+my own service is over.</p>
+
+<p>The next day found me in my dear parents' home. My
+joy in the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>'s help and deliverance was so great that
+I was unable to keep it to myself, and before my return to
+London my dear mother knew the secret of my life for
+some time past. I need scarcely say that when I went up
+again to town I was not allowed to live&mdash;as, indeed, I was
+not fit to live&mdash;on the same economical lines as before
+my illness. I needed more now, and the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> did provide.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus10.jpg" width="500" height="263" alt="Temple and memorial portal" title="Temple and memorial portal" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a href="images/illus11-big.jpg"><img src="images/illus11.jpg" width="500" height="190" alt="&quot;Compassionate heart, benevolent methods&quot;" title="&quot;Compassionate heart, benevolent methods&quot;" />
+</a></div>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<h3>MIGHTY TO SAVE</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>RETURNING to London when sufficiently recovered
+to resume my studies, the busy life of hospital and
+lecture-hall was resumed; often relieved by happy Sundays
+of fellowship with Christian friends, especially in London or
+Tottenham. Opportunities for service are to be found in
+every sphere, and mine was no exception. I shall only
+mention one case now that gave me great encouragement
+in seeking conversion even when it seemed apparently
+hopeless.</div>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">God</span> had given me the joy of winning souls before, but
+not in surroundings of such special difficulty. With <span class="smcap">God</span>
+all things are possible, and no conversion ever takes place
+save by the almighty power of the <span class="smcap">Holy Ghost</span>. The
+great need, therefore, of every Christian worker is to <i>know</i>
+<span class="smcap">God</span>. Indeed, this is the purpose for which He has given
+us eternal life, as our <span class="smcap">Saviour</span> Himself says, in the oft
+misquoted verse, John xvii. 3: "This is [the object of]
+life eternal, [not <i>to</i> know but] that they <i>might</i> know Thee
+the only true <span class="smcap">God</span>, and <span class="smcap">Jesus Christ</span>, whom Thou hast
+sent." I was now to prove the willingness of <span class="smcap">God</span> to
+answer prayer for spiritual blessing under most unpromising
+circumstances, and thus to gain an increased acquaintance
+with the prayer-answering <span class="smcap">God</span> as One "mighty to save."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>A short time before leaving for China, it became my duty
+daily to dress the foot of a patient suffering from senile
+gangrene. The disease commenced, as usual, insidiously,
+and the patient had little idea that he was a doomed man,
+and probably had not long to live. I was not the first to
+attend to him, but when the case was transferred to me, I
+naturally became very anxious about his soul. The family
+with whom he lived were Christians, and from them I
+learned that he was an avowed atheist, and very antagonistic
+to anything religious. They had, without asking his consent,
+invited a Scripture reader to visit him, but in great passion
+he had ordered him from the room. The vicar of the district
+had also called, hoping to help him; but he had spit in his
+face, and refused to allow him to speak to him. His
+passionate temper was described to me as very violent,
+and altogether the case seemed to be as hopeless as could
+well be imagined.</p>
+
+<p>Upon first commencing to attend him I prayed much
+about it; but for two or three days said nothing to him
+of a religious nature. By special care in dressing his
+diseased limb I was able considerably to lessen his sufferings,
+and he soon began to manifest grateful appreciation
+of my services. One day, with a trembling heart, I took
+advantage of his warm acknowledgments to tell him what
+was the spring of my action, and to speak of his own
+solemn position and need of <span class="smcap">God</span>'s mercy through <span class="smcap">Christ</span>.
+It was evidently only by a powerful effort of self-restraint
+that he kept his lips closed. He turned over in bed
+with his back to me, and uttered no word.</p>
+
+<p>I could not get the poor man out of my mind, and
+very often through each day I pleaded with <span class="smcap">God</span>, by His
+<span class="smcap">Spirit</span>, to save him ere He took him hence. After dressing
+the wound and relieving his pain, I never failed to say a
+few words to him, which I hoped the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> would bless.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>
+He always turned his back to me, looking annoyed, but
+never spoke a word in reply.</p>
+
+<p>After continuing this for some time, my heart sank. It
+seemed to me that I was not only doing no good, but perhaps
+really hardening him and increasing his guilt. One day,
+after dressing his limb and washing my hands, instead of
+returning to the bedside to speak to him, I went to the door,
+and stood hesitating for a few moments with the thought in
+my mind, "Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone."
+I looked at the man and saw his surprise, as it was the first
+time since speaking to him that I had attempted to leave
+without going up to his bedside to say a few words for my
+<span class="smcap">Master</span>. I could bear it no longer. Bursting into tears,
+I crossed the room and said, "My friend, whether you
+will hear or whether you will forbear, I <i>must</i> deliver <i>my</i>
+soul," and went on to speak very earnestly to him, telling
+him with many tears how much I wished that he would let
+me pray with him. To my unspeakable joy he did not
+turn away, but replied, "If it will be a relief to you, do."
+I need scarcely say that I fell on my knees and poured
+out my whole soul to <span class="smcap">God</span> on his behalf. I believe the
+<span class="smcap">Lord</span> then and there wrought a change in his soul.</p>
+
+<p>He was never afterwards unwilling to be spoken to and
+prayed with, and within a few days he definitely accepted
+<span class="smcap">Christ</span> as his <span class="smcap">Saviour</span>. Oh the joy it was to me to see
+that dear man rejoicing in hope of the glory of <span class="smcap">God</span>!
+He told me that for forty years he had never darkened the
+door of church or chapel, and that then&mdash;forty years ago&mdash;he
+had only entered a place of worship to be married,
+and could not be persuaded to go inside when his wife was
+buried. Now, thank <span class="smcap">God</span>, his sin-stained soul, I had every
+reason to believe, was washed, was sanctified, was justified,
+in the Name of the <span class="smcap">Lord Jesus Christ</span> and in the <span class="smcap">Spirit</span>
+of our <span class="smcap">God</span>. Oftentimes, when in my early work in China<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>
+circumstances rendered me almost hopeless of success, I
+have thought of this man's conversion, and have been
+encouraged to persevere in speaking the Word, whether
+men would hear or whether they would forbear.</p>
+
+<p>The now happy sufferer lived for some time after this
+change, and was never tired of bearing testimony to the
+grace of <span class="smcap">God</span>. Though his condition was most distressing,
+the alteration in his character and behaviour made the
+previously painful duty of attending him one of real pleasure.
+I have often thought since, in connection with this
+case and the work of <span class="smcap">God</span> generally, of the words, "He
+that goeth forth <i>weeping</i>, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless
+come again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
+Perhaps if there were more of that intense distress for
+souls that leads to tears, we should more frequently see the
+results we desire. Sometimes it may be that while we are
+complaining of the hardness of the hearts of those we
+are seeking to benefit, the hardness of our own hearts,
+and our own feeble apprehension of the solemn reality of
+eternal things, may be the true cause of our want of
+success.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus12.jpg" width="500" height="260" alt="Outside the wall of Gan-k&#39;ing" title="Outside the wall of Gan-k&#39;ing" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus13.jpg" width="500" height="166" alt="The new girls school at Chefoo" title="The new girls school at Chefoo" />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<h3>VOYAGE TO CHINA</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>SOON after this the time so long looked forward to
+arrived&mdash;the time that I was to leave England
+for China. After being set apart with many prayers
+for the ministry of <span class="smcap">God</span>'s Word among the heathen
+Chinese I left London for Liverpool; and on the 19th
+of September 1853 a little service was held in the stern
+cabin of the <i>Dumfries</i>, which had been secured for me by
+the Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society, under
+whose auspices I was going to China.</div>
+
+<p>My beloved, now sainted, mother had come to see me
+off from Liverpool. Never shall I forget that day, nor
+how she went with me into the little cabin that was to
+be my home for nearly six long months. With a mother's
+loving hand she smoothed the little bed. She sat by my
+side, and joined me in the last hymn that we should sing
+together before the long parting. We knelt down, and
+she prayed&mdash;the last mother's prayer I was to hear before
+starting for China. Then notice was given that we must
+separate, and we had to say good-bye, never expecting to
+meet on earth again.</p>
+
+<p>For my sake she restrained her feelings as much as
+possible. We parted; and she went on shore, giving me
+her blessing; I stood alone on deck, and she followed the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>
+ship as we moved towards the dock gates. As we passed
+through the gates, and the separation really commenced,
+I shall never forget the cry of anguish wrung from that
+mother's heart. It went through me like a knife. I never
+knew so fully, until then, what <span class="smcap">God</span> <i>so</i> loved the world
+meant. And I am quite sure that my precious mother
+learned more of the love of <span class="smcap">God</span> to the perishing in that
+hour than in all her life before.</p>
+
+<p>Oh, how it must grieve the heart of <span class="smcap">God</span> when He sees
+His children indifferent to the needs of that wide world for
+which His beloved, His only begotten <span class="smcap">Son</span> died!</p>
+
+<div class='poem2'>
+Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear;<br />
+Forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;<br />
+So shall the <span class="smcap">King</span> desire thy beauty:<br />
+For He is thy <span class="smcap">Lord</span>; and worship thou Him.<br />
+</div>
+
+<p>Praise <span class="smcap">God</span>, the number is increasing who are finding out
+the exceeding joys, the wondrous revelations of His mercies,
+vouchsafed to those who follow Him, and emptying themselves,
+leave all in obedience to His great commission.</p>
+
+<p>It was on 19th September 1853 that the <i>Dumfries</i>
+sailed for China; and not until 1st March, in the spring
+of the following year, did I arrive in Shanghai.</p>
+
+<p>Our voyage had a rough beginning, but many had
+promised to remember us in constant prayer. No small
+comfort was this; for we had scarcely left the Mersey when
+a violent equinoctial gale caught us, and for twelve days we
+were beating backwards and forwards in the Irish Channel,
+unable to get out to sea. The gale steadily increased, and
+after almost a week we lay to for a time; but drifting on
+a lee coast, we were compelled again to make sail, and
+endeavoured to beat on to windward. The utmost efforts
+of the captain and crew, however, were unavailing; and
+Sunday night, 25th September, found us drifting into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>
+Carnarvon Bay, each tack becoming shorter, until at last
+we were within a stone's-throw of the rocks. About this
+time, as the ship, which had refused to stay, was put round
+in the other direction, the Christian captain said to me,
+"We cannot live half an hour now: what of your call to
+labour for the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> in China?" I had previously passed
+through a time of much conflict, but that was over, and it
+was a great joy to feel and to tell him that I would not for
+any consideration be in any other position; that I strongly
+expected to reach China; but that, if otherwise, at any rate
+the Master would say it was well that I was found seeking
+to obey His command.</p>
+
+<p>Within a few minutes after wearing ship the captain
+walked, up to the compass, and said to me, "The wind has
+freed two points; we shall be able to beat out of the bay."
+And so we did. The bowsprit was sprung and the vessel
+seriously strained; but in a few days we got out to sea, and
+the necessary repairs were so thoroughly effected on board
+that our journey to China was in due time satisfactorily
+accomplished.</p>
+
+<p>One thing was a great trouble to me that night. I was
+a very young believer, and had not sufficient faith in <span class="smcap">God</span>
+to see Him in and through the use of means. I had felt
+it a duty to comply with the earnest wish of my beloved
+and honoured mother, and for her sake to procure a
+swimming-belt. But in my own soul I felt as if I could
+not simply trust in <span class="smcap">God</span> while I had this swimming-belt;
+and my heart had no rest until on that night, after all
+hope of being saved was gone, I had given it away. Then
+I had perfect peace; and, strange to say, put several light
+things together, likely to float at the time we struck, without
+any thought of inconsistency or scruple. Ever since, I
+have seen clearly the mistake I made&mdash;a mistake that is
+very common in these days, when erroneous teaching on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>
+faith-healing does much harm, misleading some as to the
+purposes of <span class="smcap">God</span>, shaking the faith of others, and distressing
+the minds of many. The use of means ought not to
+lessen our faith in <span class="smcap">God</span>; and our faith in <span class="smcap">God</span> ought not
+to hinder our using whatever means He has given us for the
+accomplishment of His own purposes.</p>
+
+<p>For years after this I always took a swimming-belt with
+me, and never had any trouble about it; for after the
+storm was over, the question was settled for me, through
+the prayerful study of the Scriptures. <span class="smcap">God</span> gave me then
+to see my mistake, probably to deliver me from a great deal
+of trouble on similar questions now so constantly raised.
+When in medical or surgical charge of any case, I have
+never thought of neglecting to ask <span class="smcap">God</span>'s guidance and
+blessing in the use of appropriate means, nor yet of
+omitting to give Him thanks for answered prayer and
+restored health. But to me it would appear as presumptuous
+and wrong to neglect the use of those measures
+which He Himself has put within our reach, as to neglect
+to take daily food, and suppose that life and health might
+be maintained by prayer alone.</p>
+
+<p>The voyage was a very tedious one. We lost a good
+deal of time on the equator from calms; and when we
+finally reached the Eastern Archipelago, were again detained
+from the same cause. Usually a breeze would spring up
+soon after sunset, and last until about dawn. The utmost
+use was made of it, but during the day we lay still with
+flapping sails, often drifting back and losing a good deal of
+the advantage we had gained during the night.</p>
+
+<p>This happened notably on one occasion, when we were
+in dangerous proximity to the north of New Guinea. Saturday
+night had brought us to a point some thirty miles off the
+land; but during the Sunday morning service, which was
+held on deck, I could not fail to notice that the captain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>
+looked troubled, and frequently went over to the side of
+the ship. When the service was ended, I learnt from him
+the cause&mdash;a four-knot current was carrying us rapidly towards
+some sunken reefs, and we were already so near that
+it seemed improbable that we should get through the afternoon
+in safety. After dinner the long-boat was put out,
+and all hands endeavoured, without success, to turn the
+ship's head from the shore. As we drifted nearer we
+could plainly see the natives rushing about the sands
+and lighting fires every here and there. The captain's
+horn-book informed him that these people were cannibals,
+so that our position was not a little alarming.</p>
+
+<p>After standing together on the deck for some time in
+silence, the captain said to me, "Well, we have done everything
+that can be done; we can only await the result." A
+thought occurred to me, and I replied, "No, there is one
+thing we have not done yet." "What is it?" he queried.
+"Four of us on board are Christians," I answered (the
+Swedish carpenter and our coloured steward, with the
+captain and myself); "let us each retire to his own cabin,
+and in agreed prayer ask the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> to give us immediately
+a breeze. He can as easily send it now as at sunset."</p>
+
+<p>The captain complied with this proposal. I went and
+spoke to the other two men, and after prayer with the carpenter
+we all four retired to wait upon <span class="smcap">God</span>. I had a good
+but very brief season in prayer, and then felt so satisfied that
+our request was granted that I could not continue asking,
+and very soon went up again on deck. The first officer,
+a godless man, was in charge. I went over and asked him
+to let down the clews or corners of the mainsail, which
+had been drawn up in order to lessen the useless flapping
+of the sail against the rigging. He answered, "What would
+be the good of that?" I told him we had been asking
+a wind from <span class="smcap">God</span>, that it was coming immediately, and we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>
+were so near the reef by this time that there was not a
+minute to lose. With a look of incredulity and contempt,
+he said with an oath that he would rather see a wind than
+hear of it! But while he was speaking I watched his eye,
+and followed it up to the royal (the topmost sail), and
+there, sure enough, the corner of the sail was beginning
+to tremble in the coming breeze. "Don't you see the
+wind is coming? Look at the royal!" I exclaimed. "No,
+it is only a cat's-paw," he rejoined (a mere puff of wind).
+"Cat's-paw or not," I cried, "pray let down the mainsail,
+and let us have the benefit!"</p>
+
+<p>This he was not slow to do. In another minute the
+heavy tread of the men on the deck brought up the
+captain from his cabin to see what was the matter; and he
+saw that the breeze had indeed come. In a few minutes
+we were ploughing our way at six or seven knots an hour
+through the water, and the multitude of naked savages
+whom we had seen on the beach had no wreckage that
+night. We were soon out of danger; and though the
+wind was sometimes unsteady, we did not altogether lose
+it until after passing the Pelew Islands.</p>
+
+<p>Thus <span class="smcap">God</span> encouraged me, ere landing on China's
+shores, to bring every variety of need to Him in prayer,
+and <i>to expect that He would honour the Name</i> of the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>
+<span class="smcap">Jesus</span>, and give the help which each emergency required.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus14.jpg" width="500" height="229" alt="Entrance to the Po-yang lake" title="Entrance to the Po-yang lake" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus15.jpg" width="500" height="194" alt="A fair wind, at sunset, on the lake" title="A fair wind, at sunset, on the lake" />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<h3>EARLY MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>ON landing in Shanghai on 1st March 1854, I found
+myself surrounded with difficulties that were wholly
+unexpected. A band of rebels, known as the "Red Turbans,"
+had taken possession of the native city, against which was
+encamped an Imperial army of from forty to fifty thousand
+men, who were a much greater source of discomfort and
+danger to the little European community than were the
+rebels themselves. Upon landing, I was told that to live
+outside the Settlement was impossible, while within the
+foreign concession apartments were scarcely obtainable at
+any price. The dollar, now worth about three shillings,
+had risen to a value of eight-and-ninepence, and the
+prospect for one with only a small income of English
+money was dark indeed. However, I had three letters of
+introduction, and counted on counsel and help, especially
+from one of those to whom I had been commended, whose
+friends I well knew and highly valued. Of course I sought
+him out at once, but only to learn that he had been buried
+a month or two before, having died from fever during the
+time of my voyage.</div>
+
+<p>Saddened by these tidings, I inquired for a missionary
+to whom another of my letters of introduction was
+addressed; but a further disappointment awaited me&mdash;he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>
+had left for America. The third letter remained; but as
+it had been given by a comparative stranger, I had
+expected less from it than from the other two. It proved,
+however, to be <span class="smcap">God</span>'s channel of help. The Rev. Dr.
+Medhurst, of the London Mission, to whom it was
+addressed, introduced me to Dr. Lockhart, who kindly
+allowed me to live with him for six months. Dr.
+Medhurst procured my first Chinese teacher; and he, Dr.
+Edkins, and the late Mr. Alexander Wylie gave me
+considerable help with the language.</p>
+
+<p>Those were indeed troublous times, and times of
+danger. Coming out of the city one day with Mr. Wylie,
+he entered into conversation with two coolies, while we
+waited a little while at the East Gate for a companion who
+was behind us. Before our companion came up an attack
+upon the city from the batteries on the opposite side of the
+river commenced, which caused us to hurry away to a place
+of less danger, the whiz of the balls being unpleasantly near.
+The coolies, unfortunately, stayed too long, and were
+wounded. On reaching the Settlement we stopped a
+few minutes to make a purchase, and then proceeded at
+once to the London Mission compound, where, at the
+door of the hospital, we found the two poor coolies
+with whom Mr. Wylie had conversed, their four ankles
+terribly shattered by a cannon ball. The poor fellows
+declined amputation, and both died. We felt how narrow
+had been our escape.</p>
+
+<p>At another time, early in the morning, I had joined one
+of the missionaries on his verandah to watch the battle
+proceeding, at a distance of perhaps three-quarters of a
+mile, when suddenly a spent ball passed between us and
+buried itself in the verandah wall. Another day my friend
+Mr. Wylie left a book on the table after luncheon, and
+returning for it about five minutes later, found the arm of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>
+the chair on which he had been sitting shot clean away.
+But in the midst of these and many other dangers <span class="smcap">God</span>
+protected us.</p>
+
+<p>After six months' stay with Dr. Lockhart, I rented a
+native house outside the Settlement, and commenced a
+little missionary work amongst my Chinese neighbours,
+which for a few months continued practicable. When the
+French joined the Imperialists in attacking the city, the
+position of my house became so dangerous that during
+the last few weeks, in consequence of nightly recurring
+skirmishes, I gave up attempting to sleep except in the
+daytime. One night a fire appeared very near, and I
+climbed up to a little observatory I had arranged on the
+roof of the house, to see whether it was necessary to attempt
+escape. While there a ball struck the ridge of the roof on
+the opposite side of the quadrangle, showering pieces of
+broken tile all around me, while the ball itself rolled down
+into the court below. It weighed four or five pounds;
+and had it come a few inches higher, would probably have
+spent its force on me instead of on the building. My dear
+mother kept the ball for many years. Shortly after this I had
+to abandon the house and return to the Foreign Settlement&mdash;a
+step that was taken none too soon, for before the last of my
+belongings were removed, the house was burnt to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>Of the trials of this early period it is scarcely possible
+to convey any adequate idea. To one of a sensitive
+nature, the horrors, atrocities, and misery connected with
+war were a terrible ordeal. The embarrassment also of
+the times was considerable. With an income of only
+eighty pounds a year, I was compelled, upon moving into
+the Settlement, to give one hundred and twenty for rent,
+and sublet half the house; and though the Committee of
+the Chinese Evangelisation Society increased my income
+when, after the arrival of Dr. Parker, they learned more of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>
+our circumstances, many painful experiences had necessarily
+been passed through. Few can realise how distressing to
+so young and untried a worker these difficulties seemed, or
+the intense loneliness of the position of a pioneer who could
+not even hint at many of his circumstances, as to do so
+would have been a tacit appeal for help.</p>
+
+<p>The great enemy is always ready with his oft-repeated
+suggestion, "All these things are against me." But oh,
+how false the word! The cold, and even the hunger, the
+watchings and sleeplessness of nights of danger, and the
+feeling at times of utter isolation and helplessness, were
+well and wisely chosen, and tenderly and lovingly meted
+out. What circumstances could have rendered the Word
+of <span class="smcap">God</span> more sweet, the presence of <span class="smcap">God</span> more real, the
+help of <span class="smcap">God</span> more precious? They were times, indeed, of
+emptying and humbling, but were experiences that made
+not ashamed, and that strengthened purpose to go forward
+as <span class="smcap">God</span> might direct, with His <i>proved</i> promise, "I will not
+fail thee, nor forsake thee." One can see, even now, that
+as for <span class="smcap">God</span>, His way is perfect, and yet can rejoice that
+the missionary path of to-day is comparatively a smooth and
+an easy one.</p>
+
+<p>Journeying inland was contrary to treaty arrangements,
+and attended with much difficulty, especially for some time
+after the battle of Muddy Flat, in which an Anglo-American
+contingent of about three hundred marines and seamen,
+with a volunteer corps of less than a hundred residents,
+attacked the Imperial camp, and drove away from thirty to
+fifty thousand Chinese soldiers, the range of our shot and
+shell making the native artillery useless. Still, in the
+autumn of 1854 a journey of perhaps a week's duration
+was safely accomplished with Dr. Edkins, who of course
+did the speaking and preaching, while I was able to help
+in the distribution of books.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus16.jpg" width="500" height="170" alt="A view on the grand canal" title="A view on the grand canal" />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+<h3>FIRST EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>A JOURNEY taken in the spring of 1855 with the
+Rev. J. S. Burden of the Church Missionary Society
+(now the Bishop of Victoria, Hong-kong) was attended with
+some serious dangers.</div>
+
+<p>In the great mouth of the river Yang-tse, distant some
+thirty miles to the north of Shanghai, lies the group of
+islands of which Ts'ung-ming and Hai-men are the largest
+and most important; and farther up the river, where
+the estuary narrows away from the sea, is situated the
+influential city of T'ung-chau, close to Lang-shan, or the
+Wolf Mountains, famous as a resort for pilgrim devotees.
+We spent some time in evangelising on those islands, and
+then proceeded to Lang-shan, where we preached and gave
+books to thousands of the devotees who were attending an
+idolatrous festival. From thence we went on to T'ung-chau,
+and of our painful experiences there the following
+journal will tell:&mdash;</p>
+
+
+<div class='right'>
+<i>Thursday, April 26th, 1855.</i><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>After breakfast we commended ourselves to the care of
+our Heavenly <span class="smcap">Father</span>, and sought His Blessing before proceeding
+to this great city. The day was dull and wet. We
+felt persuaded that Satan would not allow us to assail his
+kingdom, as we were attempting to do, without raising<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>
+serious opposition; but we were also fully assured that it
+was the will of <span class="smcap">God</span> that we should preach <span class="smcap">Christ</span> in this
+city, and distribute the Word of Truth among its people.
+We were sorry that we had but few books left for such an
+important place: the result, however, proved that this also
+was providential.</p>
+
+<p>Our native teachers did their best to persuade us not to
+go into the city; but we determined that, by <span class="smcap">God's</span> help,
+nothing should hinder us. We directed them, however, to
+remain in one of the boats; and if we did not return, to
+learn whatever they could respecting our fate, and make all
+possible haste to Shanghai with the information. We also
+arranged that the other boat should wait for us, even if we
+could not get back that night, so that we might not be
+detained for want of a boat in case of returning later. We
+then put our books into two bags, and with a servant who
+always accompanied us on these occasions, set off for the
+city, distant about seven miles. Walking was out of the
+question, from the state of the roads, so we availed ourselves
+of wheel-barrows, the only conveyance to be had in
+these parts. A wheel-barrow is cheaper than a sedan, only
+requiring one coolie; but is by no means an agreeable
+conveyance on rough, dirty roads.</p>
+
+<p>We had not gone far before the servant requested
+permission to go back, as he was thoroughly frightened by
+reports concerning the native soldiery. Of course we at
+once consented, not wishing to involve another in trouble,
+and determined to carry the books ourselves, and look for
+physical as well as spiritual strength to Him who had
+promised to supply all our need.</p>
+
+<p>At this point a respectable man came up, and earnestly
+warned us against proceeding, saying that if we did we
+should find to our sorrow what the T'ung-chau militia were
+like. We thanked him for his kindly counsel, but could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>
+not act upon it, as our hearts were fixed, whether it were
+to bonds, imprisonment, and death, or whether to distribute
+our Scriptures and tracts in safety, and return unhurt, we
+knew not; but we were determined, by the grace of <span class="smcap">God</span>,
+not to leave T'ung-chau any longer without the Gospel, nor
+its teeming thousands to die in uncared-for ignorance of
+the Way of life.</p>
+
+<p>After this my wheel-barrow man would proceed no
+farther, and I had to seek another, who was fortunately not
+difficult to find. As we went on, the ride in the mud and
+rain was anything but agreeable, and we could not help
+feeling the danger of our position, although wavering not
+for a moment. At intervals we encouraged one another
+with promises from the Scripture and verses of hymns.
+That verse&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"The perils of the sea, the perils of the land,<br />
+Should not dishearten thee: thy <span class="smcap">Lord</span> is nigh at hand.<br />
+But should thy courage fail, when tried and sore oppressed,<br />
+His promise shall avail, and set thy soul at rest."<br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>seemed particularly appropriate to our circumstances, and
+was very comforting to me.</div>
+
+<p>On our way we passed through one small town of about
+a thousand inhabitants; and here, in the Mandarin dialect,
+I preached <span class="smcap">Jesus</span> to a good number of people. Never was
+I so happy in speaking of the love of <span class="smcap">God</span> and the atonement
+of <span class="smcap">Jesus Christ</span>. My own soul was richly blessed,
+and filled with joy and peace; and I was able to speak
+with unusual freedom and ease. And how rejoiced I was
+when, afterwards, I heard one of our hearers repeating to
+the newcomers, in his own local dialect, the truths upon
+which I had been dwelling! Oh, how thankful I felt to
+hear a Chinaman, of his own accord, telling his fellow-countrymen
+that <span class="smcap">God</span> loved them; that they were sinners,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>
+but that <span class="smcap">Jesus</span> died instead of them, and paid the penalty
+of their guilt. That one moment repaid me for all the
+trials we had passed through; and I felt that if the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>
+should grant <span class="smcap">His Holy Spirit</span> to change the heart of that
+man, we had not come in vain.</p>
+
+<p>We distributed a few Testaments and tracts, for the
+people were able to read, and we could not leave them
+without the Gospel. It was well that we did so, for when
+we reached T'ung-chau we found we had quite as many left
+as we had strength to carry.</p>
+
+<p>Nearing the end of our journey, as we approached the
+western suburb of the city, the prayer of the early
+Christians, when persecution was commencing, came to my
+mind: "And now, <span class="smcap">Lord</span>, behold their threatenings, and
+grant unto Thy servants that with all boldness they may
+speak Thy Word." In this petition we most heartily
+united. Before entering the suburb we laid our plans, so
+as to act in concert, and told our wheel-barrow men
+where to await us, that they might not be involved in
+any trouble on our account. Then looking up to our
+Heavenly <span class="smcap">Father</span>, we committed ourselves to His keeping,
+took our books, and set on for the city.</p>
+
+<p>For some distance we walked along the principal street
+of the suburb leading to the West Gate unmolested, and
+were amused at the unusual title of <i>Heh-kwei-tsi</i> (black
+devils) which was applied to us. We wondered about it
+at the time, but afterwards found that it was our clothes,
+and not our skin, that gave rise to it. As we passed
+several of the soldiers, I remarked to Mr. Burdon that
+these were the men we had heard so much about, and that
+they seemed willing to receive us quietly enough. Long
+before we reached the gate, however, a tall powerful man,
+made tenfold fiercer by partial intoxication, let us know
+that all the militia were not so peaceably inclined, by seizing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>
+Mr. Burdon by the shoulders. My companion endeavoured
+to shake him off. I turned to see what was the matter,
+and at once we were surrounded by a dozen or more brutal
+men, who hurried us on to the city at a fearful pace.</p>
+
+<p>My bag now began to feel very heavy, and I could not
+change hands to relieve myself. I was soon in a profuse
+perspiration, and was scarcely able to keep pace with them.
+We demanded to be taken before the chief magistrate, but
+were told that they knew where to take us, and what to do
+with such persons as we were, with the most insulting
+epithets. The man who first seized Mr. Burdon soon afterwards
+left him for me, and became my principal tormentor;
+for I was neither so tall nor so strong as my friend, and
+was therefore less able to resist him. He all but knocked
+me down again and again, seized me by the hair, took hold
+of my collar so as to almost choke me, and grasped my
+arms and shoulders, making them black and blue. Had
+this treatment continued much longer, I must have fainted.
+All but exhausted, how refreshing was the remembrance of
+a verse quoted by my dear mother in one of my last home
+letters&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"We speak of the realms of the blest,<br />
+That country so bright and so fair,<br />
+And oft are its glories confessed;<br />
+But what must it be to be there!"<br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>To be absent from the body! to be present with the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>!
+to be free from sin! And this is the end of the worst that
+man's malice can ever bring upon us.</div>
+
+<p>As we were walking along Mr. Burdon tried to give
+away a few books that he was carrying, not knowing
+whether we might have another opportunity of doing so;
+but the fearful rage of the soldier, and the way he insisted
+on manacles being brought, which fortunately were not at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>
+hand, convinced us that in our present position we could
+do no good in attempting book-distribution. There was
+nothing to be done but quietly to submit, and go along
+with our captors.</p>
+
+<p>Once or twice a quarrel arose as to how we should be
+dealt with; the more mild of our conductors saying that
+we ought to be taken to the magistrate's office, but others
+wishing to kill us at once without appeal to any authority.
+Our minds were kept in perfect peace; and when thrown
+together on one of these occasions, we reminded each other
+that the Apostles rejoiced that they were counted <i>worthy</i>
+to suffer in the cause of <span class="smcap">Christ</span>. Having succeeded in
+getting my hand into my pocket, I produced a Chinese
+card (if the large red paper, bearing one's name, may be so
+called), and after this was treated with more respect. I
+demanded it should be given to the chief official of the
+place, and that we should be led to his office. Before this
+we had been unable, say what we would, to persuade them that
+we were foreigners, although we were both in English attire.</p>
+
+<p>Oh the long weary streets that we were dragged through!
+I thought they would never end; and seldom have I felt
+more thankful than when we stopped at a place where we
+were told a mandarin resided. Quite exhausted, bathed in
+perspiration, and with my tongue cleaving to the roof of
+my mouth, I leaned against the wall, and saw that Mr.
+Burdon was in much the same condition. I requested
+them to bring us chairs, but they told us to wait; and
+when I begged them to give us some tea, received only
+the same answer. Round the doorway a large crowd
+had gathered; and Mr. Burdon, collecting his remaining
+strength, preached <span class="smcap">Christ Jesus</span> to them. Our cards and
+books had been taken in to the mandarin, but he proved to
+be one of low rank, and after keeping us waiting for some
+time he referred us to his superiors in office.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Upon hearing this, and finding that it was their purpose
+to turn us out again into the crowded streets, we positively
+refused to move a single step, and insisted on chairs being
+brought. After some demur this was done; we seated
+ourselves in them, and were carried on. On the road we
+felt so glad of the rest which the chairs afforded us, and so
+thankful at having been able to preach <span class="smcap">Jesus</span> in spite of
+Satan's malice, that our joy was depicted on our countenances;
+and as we passed along we heard some say that we
+did not look like bad men, while others seemed to pity us.
+When we arrived at the magistrate's office, I wondered
+where we were being taken; for though we passed through
+some great gates that looked like those of the city wall, we
+were still evidently within the city. A second pair of
+gates suggested the idea that it was a prison into which we
+were being carried; but when we came in sight of a large
+tablet, with the inscription "<i>Ming ch&iuml; fu mu</i>" (the father and
+mother of the people), we felt that we had been conveyed
+to the right place; this being the title assumed by the
+mandarins.</p>
+
+<p>Our cards were again sent in, and after a short delay we
+were taken into the presence of Ch'en Ta Lao-ie (the Great
+Venerable Father Ch'en), who, as it proved, had formerly
+been Tao-tai of Shanghai, and consequently knew the
+importance of treating foreigners with courtesy. Coming
+before him, some of the people fell on their knees and
+bowed down to the ground, and my conductor motioned
+for me to do the same, but without success. This
+mandarin, who seemed to be the highest authority of
+T'ung-chau, and wore an opaque blue button on his cap,
+came out to meet us, and treated us with every possible
+token of respect. He took us to an inner apartment, a
+more private room, but was followed by a large number
+of writers, runners, and other semi-officials. I related the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>
+object of our visit, and begged permission to give him copies
+of our books and tracts, for which he thanked me. As I
+handed him a copy of the New Testament with part of
+the Old (from Genesis to Ruth) and some tracts, I tried
+to explain a little about them, and also to give him a brief
+summary of our teachings.&nbsp;.&nbsp;.&nbsp;. He listened very attentively,
+as of course did all the others present. He then ordered
+some refreshments to be brought in, which were very
+welcome, and himself partook of them with us.</p>
+
+<p>After a long stay, we asked permission to see something
+of the city, and to distribute the books we had brought,
+before our return. To this he kindly consented. We then
+mentioned that we had been most disrespectfully treated as
+we came in, but that we did not attach much importance
+to the fact, being aware that the soldiers knew no better.
+Not desiring, however, to have such an experience repeated,
+we requested him to give orders that we were not to be
+further molested. This also he promised to do, and with
+every possible token of respect accompanied us to the door
+of his official residence, sending several runners to see that
+we were respectfully treated. We distributed our books
+well and quickly, and left the city quite in state. It was
+amusing to us to see the way in which the runners made
+use of their tails. When the street was blocked by the
+crowd, they turned them into whips, and laid them about
+the people's shoulders to right and left!</p>
+
+<p>We had a little trouble in finding our wheel-barrows;
+but eventually succeeding, we paid off the chair coolies,
+mounted our humble vehicles, and returned to the river,
+accompanied for fully half the distance by an attendant
+from the magistrate's office. Early in the evening we got
+back to the boats in safety, sincerely thankful to our
+Heavenly <span class="smcap">Father</span> for His gracious protection and aid.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus17.jpg" width="500" height="178" alt="Down the Yang-tsi on a cargo boat" title="Down the Yang-tsi on a cargo boat" />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<h3>WITH THE REV. WILLIAM BURNS</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>AFTER the retaking of Shanghai by the Imperialists,
+in February 1855, I was enabled to rent a house
+within the walls of the native city, and gladly availed
+myself of this opportunity to reside amidst the crowded
+population left to inhabit the ruins that had survived the
+war. Here I made my headquarters, though often absent
+on more or less prolonged itinerations.</div>
+
+<p>At the suggestion of the Rev. Dr. Medhurst, the veteran
+leader of the London Mission, I was led at about this period
+to adopt the native costume in preference to foreign dress,
+to facilitate travel and residence inland. The Chinese had
+permitted a foreign firm to build a silk factory some
+distance inland, with the proviso that the style of building
+must be purely Chinese, and that there should be
+nothing external to suggest that it was foreign. Much
+benefit was found to result from this change of costume;
+and I, and most of those associated with me, have continued
+to use native dress.</p>
+
+<p>The T'ai-p'ing rebellion, commenced in 1851, had by
+this time reached the height of its ephemeral success. The
+great city of Nan-king had fallen before the invading host;
+and there, within two hundred miles of Shanghai, the rebels
+had established their headquarters, and proceeded to fortify<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>
+themselves for further conquests. During the summer of
+1855 various attempts were made to visit the leaders of
+the movement, in order to bring to bear some decidedly
+Christian influence upon them; but so little success was
+met with, that these efforts were abandoned.</p>
+
+<p>I, amongst others, had sought to reach Nan-king; but
+finding it impossible to do so, turned my attention again to
+evangelistic work on the island of Ts'ung-ming. After
+some time I was enabled so far to overcome the prejudice
+and fears of the people as to rent a little house and settle
+down in their midst. This was a great joy and encouragement
+to me; but before many weeks were over complaints
+were made by the local authorities to the British Consul,
+who compelled me to retire; though the French Consul
+had himself secured to the Romish missionaries a property
+within three or four miles of the house I had to vacate.
+Sorely tried and disappointed by this unexpected hindrance,
+I reluctantly returned to Shanghai, little dreaming of the
+blessing that <span class="smcap">God</span> had in store for me there.</p>
+
+<p>A few months previously the Rev. William Burns, of
+the English Presbyterian Mission, had arrived in that port
+on his return journey from home; and before proceeding
+to his former sphere of service in the southern province
+of <span class="smcap">Fu-kien</span>, he had endeavoured, like myself, without
+success, to visit the T'ai-p'ing rebels at Nan-king. Failing
+in this attempt, he made his headquarters in Shanghai for
+a season, devoting himself to the evangelisation of the surrounding
+populous regions. Thus in the autumn of the
+year I was providentially led into association with this
+beloved and honoured servant of <span class="smcap">God</span>.</p>
+
+<p>We journeyed together, evangelising cities and towns in
+southern <span class="smcap">Kiang-su</span> and north <span class="smcap">Cheh-kiang</span>, living in our
+boats, and following the course of the canals and rivers
+which here spread like a network over the whole face of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>
+the rich and fertile country. Mr. Burns at that time was
+wearing English dress; but saw that while I was the
+younger and in every way less experienced, I had the quiet
+hearers, while he was followed by the rude boys, and by
+the curious but careless; that I was invited to the homes
+of the people, while he received an apology that the crowd
+that would follow precluded his being invited. After some
+weeks of observation he also adopted the native dress, and
+enjoyed the increased facilities which it gave.</p>
+
+<p>Those happy months were an unspeakable joy and
+privilege to me. His love for the Word was delightful,
+and his holy, reverential life and constant communings
+with <span class="smcap">God</span> made fellowship with him satisfying to the deep
+cravings of my heart. His accounts of revival work and
+of persecutions in Canada, and Dublin, and in Southern
+China were most instructive, as well as interesting; for
+with true spiritual insight he often pointed out <span class="smcap">God</span>'s purposes
+in trial in a way that made all life assume quite a
+new aspect and value. His views especially about evangelism
+as the great work of the Church, and the order of
+lay evangelists as a lost order that Scripture required to be
+restored, were seed-thoughts which were to prove fruitful in
+the subsequent organisation of the China Inland Mission.</p>
+
+<p>Externally, however, our path was not always a smooth
+one; but when permitted to stay for any length of time in
+town or city, the opportunity was well utilised. We were
+in the habit of leaving our boats, after prayer for blessing,
+at about nine o'clock in the morning, with a light bamboo
+stool in hand. Selecting a suitable station, one would
+mount the stool and speak for twenty minutes, while the
+other was pleading for blessing; and then changing places,
+the voice of the first speaker had a rest. After an hour or
+two thus occupied, we would move on to another point at
+some distance from the first, and speak again. Usually<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>
+about midday we returned to our boats for dinner, fellowship,
+and prayer, and then resumed our out-door work
+until dusk. After tea and further rest, we would go with
+our native helpers to some tea-shop, where several hours
+might be spent in free conversation with the people. Not
+infrequently before leaving a town we had good reason to
+believe that much truth had been grasped; and we placed
+many Scriptures and books in the hands of those interested.
+The following letter was written by Mr. Burns to his
+mother at home in Scotland about this time:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<div class='right'>
+"<span class="smcap">Twenty-five miles from Shanghai</span>,<br />
+<span style="margin-right: 2em;"><i>January 26th, 1856</i>.</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Taking advantage of a rainy day which confines me to
+my boat, I pen a few lines, in addition to a letter to Dundee,
+containing particulars which I need not repeat. It is now
+forty-one days since I left Shanghai on this last occasion.
+A young English missionary, Mr. Taylor, of the Chinese
+Evangelisation Society, has been my companion during these
+weeks&mdash;he in his boat, and I in mine&mdash;and we have experienced
+much mercy, and on some occasions considerable
+assistance in our work.</p>
+
+<p>"I must once more tell the story I have had to tell
+already more than once&mdash;how four weeks ago, on December
+29th, I put on the Chinese dress, which I am now wearing.
+Mr. Taylor had made this change a few months before, and
+I found that he was, in consequence, so much less incommoded
+in preaching, etc., by the crowd, that I concluded it
+was my duty to follow his example. We were at that time
+more than double the distance from Shanghai that we are
+now, and would still have been at as great a distance had
+we not met at one place with a band of lawless people, who
+demanded money and threatened to break our boats if their
+demands were refused. The boatmen were very much
+alarmed, and insisted on returning to some place nearer
+home. These people had previously broken in, violently,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>
+a part of Mr. Taylor's boat, because their unreasonable
+demand for books was not complied with.</p>
+
+<p>"We have a large, very large, field of labour in this
+region, though it might be difficult in the meantime for one
+to establish himself in any particular place; the people
+listen with attention, but we need the Power from on High
+to convince and convert. Is there any spirit of prayer on
+our behalf among <span class="smcap">God</span>'s people in Kilsyth? or is there any
+effort to seek this spirit? How great the need is, and how
+great the arguments and motives for prayer in this case.
+The harvest here is indeed great, and the labourers are few,
+and imperfectly fitted without much grace for such a work.
+And yet grace can make the few and feeble instruments the
+means of accomplishing great things&mdash;things greater than
+we can even conceive."</p></div>
+
+<p>The incident referred to in this letter, which led to our
+return to Shanghai more speedily than we had at first
+intended, took place on the northern border of <span class="smcap">Cheh-kiang</span>.
+We had reached a busy market town known by
+the name of Wu-chen, or Black Town, the inhabitants of
+which, we had been told, were the wildest and most lawless
+people in that part of the country. Such indeed we found
+them to be: the town was a refuge for salt smugglers and
+other bad characters. The following extracts are taken
+from my journal, written at the time:&mdash;</p>
+
+
+<div class='right'>
+<i>January 8th, 1856.</i><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>Commenced our work in Wu-chen this morning by distributing
+a large number of tracts and some Testaments.
+The people seemed much surprised, and we could not
+learn that any foreigner had been here before. We
+preached twice&mdash;once in the temple of the God of War,
+and afterwards in an empty space left by a fire, which had
+completely destroyed many houses. In the afternoon we
+preached again to a large and attentive audience on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>
+same site; and in the evening adjourned to a tea-shop,
+where we had a good opportunity of speaking until it got
+noised abroad that we were there, when, too many people
+coming in, we were obliged to leave. Our native assistants,
+Tsien and Kuei-hua, were able, however, to remain.
+Returning to our boats, we spoke to a number of people
+standing on a bridge, and felt we had abundant reason
+to be thankful and encouraged by the result of our first
+day's labour.</p>
+
+
+<div class='right'>
+<i>January 10th.</i><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>First sent Tsien and Kuei-hua to distribute some sheet
+tracts. After their return we went with them, and in a
+space cleared by fire we separated, and addressed two
+audiences. On our return to the boats for lunch, we
+found people waiting, as usual, and desiring books. Some
+were distributed to those who were able to read them; and
+then asking them kindly to excuse us while we took our
+midday meal, I went into my boat and shut the door.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly was there time to pour out a cup of tea when a
+battering began, and the roof was at once broken in. I
+went out at the back, and found four or five men taking
+the large lumps of frozen earth turned up in a field close
+by&mdash;weighing, I should suppose, from seven to fourteen
+pounds each&mdash;and throwing them at the boat. Remonstrance
+was of no avail, and it was not long ere a considerable
+part of the upper structure of the boat was broken to
+pieces, and a quantity of earth covered the things inside.
+Finally, Tsien got a boat that was passing to land him at a
+short distance, and by a few tracts drew away the attention
+of the men, thus ending the assault.</p>
+
+<p>We now learned that of those who had done the
+mischief only two were natives of the place, the others
+being salt smugglers, and that the cause was our not
+having satisfied their unreasonable demand for books.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>
+Most providentially no one was injured; and as soon as
+quiet was somewhat restored, we all met in Mr. Burns's
+boat and joined in thanksgiving that we had been preserved
+from personal harm, praying also for the perpetrators
+of the mischief, and that it might be over-ruled for good to
+us and to those with us. We then took our lunch and
+went on shore, and but a few steps from the boats
+addressed a large multitude that soon assembled. We
+were specially assisted; never were we heard with more
+attention, and not one voice was found to sympathise with
+the men who had molested us. In the evening, at the
+tea-shops, the same spirit was manifested, and some
+seemed to hear with joy the glad tidings of salvation
+through a crucified and risen <span class="smcap">Saviour</span>.</p>
+
+<p>As we came home we passed a barber's shop still open,
+and I went in, and while getting my head shaved had an
+opportunity of speaking to a few people, and afterwards
+pasted a couple of sheet tracts on the wall for the benefit
+of future customers.</p>
+
+
+<div class='right'>
+<i>January 11th.</i><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>A respectable shop-keeper of the name of Yao, who on
+the first or second day of our stay at Wu-chen had received
+portions of the New Testament and a tract, came yesterday,
+when our boat was broken, to beg for some more books.
+At that time we were all in confusion from the damage
+done, and from the earth thrown into the boat, and so
+invited him to come again in a day or two's time, when
+we would gladly supply him. This morning he appeared
+and handed in the following note:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"On a former day I begged Burns and Taylor, the two
+'<i>Rabbis</i>,' to give me good books. It happened at that
+time those of our town whose hearts were deceived by
+<i>Satan</i>, not knowing the <i>Son of David</i>, went so far as to
+dare to '<i>raca</i>' and '<i>moreh</i>' and injure your respected boat.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>
+I thank you for promising afterwards to give the books,
+and beg the following: Complete New Testament, 'Discourse
+of a Good Man when near his Death,' 'Important
+Christian Doctrines,' an Almanack, 'Principles of Christianity,'
+'Way to make the World happy,'&mdash;of each one
+copy. Sung and Tsien, and all teachers I hope are well.
+Further compliments are unwritten."</p>
+
+<p>This note is interesting, as showing that he had been
+reading the New Testament attentively, as the italicised
+words were all taken from it. His use of "raca" and
+"moreh" for reviling, shows their meaning was not lost
+upon him.</p>
+
+<p>After supplying this man, we went out with Tsien and
+Kuei-hua to the east of the town, and spoke in the street
+for a short time. Upon returning to the boats, I was
+visited by two <span class="smcap">Chih-li</span> men, who are in the magistrate's
+office here. I was greatly helped in speaking to them of
+a crucified <span class="smcap">Saviour</span> in the Mandarin dialect; and though
+one of them did not pay much attention, the other did,
+and made inquiries that showed the interest he was feeling.
+When they had left, I went on shore and spoke to the
+people collected there, to whom Kuei-hua had been preaching.
+The setting sun afforded a parable, and reminded one
+of the words of <span class="smcap">Jesus</span>, "The night cometh, when no man
+can work;" and as I spoke of the uncertain duration of
+this life, and of our ignorance as to the time of <span class="smcap">Christ's</span>
+return, a degree of deep seriousness prevailed that I had
+never previously witnessed in China. I engaged in prayer,
+and the greatest decorum was observed. I then returned
+to my boat with a Buddhist priest who had been in the
+audience, and he admitted that Buddhism was a system
+of deceit that could give no hope in death.</p>
+
+
+<div class='right'>
+<i>January 12th.</i><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>In the afternoon we addressed the people on shore<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>
+close to our boats, also in one of the streets of the city,
+and in a tea-shop, books being distributed on each occasion.
+In the evening we went as usual to speak in the
+tea-shops, but determined to go to the opposite end of the
+town, in order to afford those who lived there a better
+opportunity of meeting with us. It was a long straggling
+place, nearly two English miles in length. As Mr. Burns
+and I were accustomed to talk together in Chinese, this
+conclusion was known to those in the boats.</p>
+
+<p>After we had proceeded a short distance we changed
+our minds, and went instead to the usual tea-shop, thinking
+that persons might have gone there expecting to meet us.
+But this was not the case; and we did not find such serious
+hearers as we had done on previous occasions. On this
+account Mr. Burns proposed leaving earlier than usual, and
+we did so, telling Tsien and Kuei-hua that they might remain
+a little longer. Returning to the boats, we gave away
+a few books; but, singularly enough, were left to go alone,
+no one accompanying us, as is so generally the case. Instead
+of being a clear night, as it was when we started, we found
+that it had become intensely dark. On our way we met
+the boatman, whose manner seemed very strange, and
+without giving us any explanation he blew out the candle
+of our lantern; we relighted the lantern, telling him not to
+put it out again, when to our surprise he deliberately removed
+the candle and threw it into the canal. He then
+walked down along a low wall jutting out to the river's edge,
+and gazed into the water.</p>
+
+<p>Not knowing what was the matter with him, I ran
+forward to hold him, fearful lest he were going to drown
+himself; but to my great relief he came quietly back. In
+answer to our repeated questions he told us not to speak,
+for some bad men were seeking to destroy the boats,
+and they had moved away to avoid them. He then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>
+led us to the place where one of them was lying. Before
+long Tsien and Kuei-hua came and got safely on board,
+and soon after we were joined by the teacher Sung, and the
+boat moved away.</p>
+
+<p>The cause of all this disturbance was then explained.
+A man professing to be the constable had come to the
+boats in our absence, with a written demand for ten
+dollars and a quantity of opium. He stated that there
+were more than fifty country people (salt smugglers)
+awaiting our reply in an adjoining tea-shop; and if we
+gave them what they wanted, and three hundred cash to
+pay for their tea, we might remain in peace; but that if
+not, they would come at once and destroy our boats.
+Sung told them that we could not comply with their
+demand; for, not being engaged in trade, but only in
+preaching and book-distribution, we had not an atom of
+opium, and that our money was nearly all expended. The
+man, however, told him plainly that he did not believe
+him, and Sung had no alternative but to seek us out,
+desiring the man to await our reply. Not knowing that
+we had changed our plans, he sought us in the wrong
+direction, and of course in vain.</p>
+
+<p>In the meanwhile the boatmen had succeeded in
+moving off. They were very much alarmed; and having
+so recently had proof of what these men would do in open
+daylight, felt no desire to experience what they might
+attempt by night. Moving away, therefore, they had
+separated, so that if one boat should be injured the other
+might afford us a refuge. It was after this that we had
+providentially met the boatman, and had been safely led on
+board. As Sung repassed the place where we were previously
+moored, he saw between the trees a dozen or more
+men, and heard them inquiring where the boats had gone
+to; but no one could tell. Fortunately they sought in vain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>After a while the two boats joined, and rowed together
+for some time. It was already late, and to travel by night
+in that part of the country was not the way to avoid danger
+from evil men; so the question arose as to what should be
+done. This we left for the boatmen to decide; they had
+moved off of their own accord, and we felt that whatever
+we personally might desire we could not constrain others
+to remain in a position of danger on our account. We
+urged them, however, to do quickly whatever they intended
+to do, as the morrow was the <span class="smcap">Lord's Day</span>, when we should
+not wish to travel. We also informed them that wherever
+we were we must fulfil our mission, and preach the Gospel;
+it therefore made but little difference where we might stay,
+for even if we passed the night unperceived, we were sure
+to be found out on the following morning. The men consequently
+concluded that we might as well return to the
+place from which we had started; to this we fully agreed,
+and they turned back accordingly. But&mdash;whether by accident
+or no we could not tell&mdash;they got into another stream,
+and rowed for some time they knew not whither. At last,
+as it was very dark, they moored for the night.</p>
+
+<p>We then called all the boatmen together, with our
+native assistants, and read to them the ninety-first Psalm.
+It may be imagined how appropriate to our position and
+need and how sweetly consoling was this portion of <span class="smcap">God's</span>
+Word:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='poem2'>
+"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the <span class="smcap">Most High</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Shall abide under the shadow of the <span class="smcap">Almighty</span>.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I will say of the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>, <i>He</i> is my refuge and my fortress:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">My <span class="smcap">God</span>; in Him will I trust.</span><br />
+<br />
+"Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,<br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And from the noisome pestilence.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nor for the arrow that flieth by day.</span><br />
+<br />
+"Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I will set him on high, because he hath known My Name.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I will be with him in trouble;&mdash;I will deliver him, and honour him.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">With long life will I satisfy him,&mdash;and show him My salvation."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>Committing ourselves in prayer to His care and keeping
+Who had covered us with thick darkness and permitted
+us to escape from the hand of the violent, we retired for
+the night; which&mdash;thanks to the kind protection of the
+<span class="smcap">Watchman of Israel</span>, who neither slumbers nor forgets
+His people&mdash;we passed in peace and quietness, and were
+enabled, in some measure, to realise the truth of that
+precious word, "<i>Thou</i> art my <i>Hiding-place</i>, and my <i>Shield</i>."</p>
+
+
+<div class='right'>
+<i>Sunday, January 13th.</i><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>This morning I was awakened about 4 <span class="smcap">A.M.</span> by violent
+pain in the knee-joint. I had bruised it the day before,
+and severe inflammation was the result. To my great
+surprise I heard the rain pouring down in torrents, the
+weather having previously been particularly fine. On looking
+out, we found ourselves so near our former stopping-place,
+that, had nothing happened to prevent it, we should
+not have felt justified in neglecting to go into the town to
+preach as usual; but the rain was so heavy all day that
+no one could leave the boats. Thus we enjoyed a delightful
+day of rest, such as we had not had for some time; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>
+the weather prevented much inquiry being made for us.
+Had the day been fine we should most likely have been
+discovered, even if we had not left the boats. As it was,
+we were allowed to think in peace, with wonder and
+gratitude, of the gracious dealings of our <span class="smcap">God</span>, who had
+thus led us apart into "a desert place" to rest awhile.</p>
+
+
+<div class='right'>
+<i>Monday, January 14th.</i><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>A cloudless morning. One of the native assistants
+went before daybreak to get some clothes which had been
+given out for washing. He came back with the tidings
+that, notwithstanding the drenching rain of yesterday, men
+had been seeking us in all directions. We had been kept,
+however, in peace and safety "under the shadow of the
+Almighty."</p>
+
+<p>The boatmen were now so thoroughly alarmed that
+they would stay no longer, and moved off at dawn. I was
+confined to my quarters by lameness, and had no alternative
+but to go with them. In the afternoon we reached
+Ping-wang, on the way to Shanghai.</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"Ill that <span class="smcap">God</span> blesses is our good,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3em;">And unblest good is ill;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And all is right that seems most wrong,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3em;">If it be His sweet will."</span><br />
+<br /><br /></div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus18.jpg" width="500" height="235" alt="East gate and sentry box, Bhamô, Burmah" title="East gate and sentry box, Bhamô, Burmah" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus19.jpg" width="500" height="177" alt="Farmhouse, with buffalo shed attached" title="Farmhouse, with buffalo shed attached" />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+<h3>CALLED TO SWATOW</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>HAVING to leave the neighbourhood of Black Town
+thus unexpectedly was a real disappointment to
+us, as we had hoped to spend some time evangelising in
+that district. We were to prove, however, that no unforeseen
+mischance had happened, but that these circumstances
+which seemed so trying were necessary links in the chain
+of a divinely ordered providence, guiding to other and
+wider spheres.</div>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">God</span> does not permit persecution to arise without
+sufficient reason.&nbsp;.&nbsp;.&nbsp;. He was leading us by a way that we
+knew not; but it was none the less His way.</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"O <span class="smcap">Lord</span>, how happy should we be<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">If we would cast our care on Thee,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">If we from self would rest;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And feel at heart that One above,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">In perfect wisdom, perfect love,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Is working for the best!"</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>When we reached Shanghai, thinking to return inland
+in a few days with fresh supplies of books and money, we
+met a Christian captain who had been trading at Swatow,
+and he put very strongly before us the need of that region,
+and the fact that there were British merchants living on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>
+Double Island, selling opium and engaged in the coolie
+trade (practically a slave traffic), while there was no British
+missionary to preach the Gospel. The <span class="smcap">Spirit of God</span>
+impressed me with the feeling that this was His call, but
+for days I felt that I could not obey it. I had never had
+such a spiritual father as Mr. Burns; I had never known
+such holy, happy fellowship; and I said to myself that it
+could not be <span class="smcap">God's</span> will that we should separate.</p>
+
+<p>In great unrest of soul I went one evening, with Mr. Burns,
+to take tea at the house of the Rev. R. Lowrie, of
+the American Presbyterian Mission, at the South Gate of
+Shanghai. After tea Mrs. Lowrie played over to us "The
+Missionary Call."<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> I had never heard it before, and it
+greatly affected me. My heart was almost broken before
+it was finished, and I said to the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>, in the words that
+had been sung&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='poem2'>
+<span style="margin-left: 11em;">"And I will go!</span><br />
+I may no longer doubt to give up friends, and idol hopes,<br />
+And every tie that binds my heart.&nbsp;.&nbsp;.&nbsp;.<br />
+Henceforth, then, it matters not, if storm or sunshine be my earthly lot, bitter<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">or sweet my cup;</span><br />
+I only pray, <span class="smcap">God</span>, make me holy,<br />
+And my spirit nerve for the stern hour of strife."<br />
+</div>
+
+<p>Upon leaving I asked Mr. Burns to come home with
+me to the little house that was still my headquarters in the
+native city, and there, with many tears, told him how the
+<span class="smcap">Lord</span> had been leading me, and how rebellious I had been
+and unwilling to leave him for this new sphere of labour.
+He listened with a strange look of surprise, and of pleasure
+rather than pain; and answered that he had determined
+that very night to tell me that he had heard the <span class="smcap">Lord's</span>
+call to Swatow, and that his one regret had been the
+prospect of the severance of our happy fellowship. We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>
+went together; and thus was recommenced missionary work
+in that part of China, which in later years has been so
+abundantly blessed.</p>
+
+<p>Long before this time the Rev. R. Lechler, of the Basel
+Missionary Society, had widely itinerated in the neighbourhood
+of Swatow and the surrounding regions. Driven
+about from place to place, he had done work that was not
+forgotten, although ultimately he was obliged to retire to
+Hong-kong. For more than forty years this earnest-hearted
+servant of <span class="smcap">God</span> has continued in "labours more abundant";
+and quite recently he has left Hong-kong, with his devoted
+wife, to return again inland, and spend the strength of his
+remaining years amongst the people he has so long and
+truly loved.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Bowers, the Christian friend who had been used
+of <span class="smcap">God</span> in bringing the needs of Swatow before Mr. Burns
+and myself, was overjoyed when he heard of our decision
+to devote ourselves to the evangelisation of that busy,
+important, and populous mart. Being about to sail himself
+on his return journey, he gladly offered us free passages on
+board the <i>Geelong</i>, in which we left Shanghai early in the
+month of March 1856.</p>
+
+<p>A favourable journey of six days brought us to Double
+Island, where we found ourselves landed in the midst of a
+small but very ungodly community of foreigners, engaged in
+the opium trade and other commercial enterprises. Unwilling
+to be in any way identified with these fellow-countrymen,
+we were most desirous of obtaining quarters at once within
+the native city, situated on a promontory of the mainland,
+five miles farther up, at the mouth of the Han river.
+Great difficulty was experienced in this attempt to obtain
+a footing amongst the people. Indeed, it seemed as
+though we should fail altogether, and we were helplessly
+cast upon the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> in prayer. Our <span class="smcap">God</span> soon undertook<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>
+for us. Meeting one day with a Cantonese merchant, a
+relative of the highest official in the town, Mr. Burns
+addressed him in the Cantonese dialect; this gentleman
+was so pleased at being spoken to by a foreigner in his
+own tongue that he became our friend, and secured us a
+lodging. We had only one little room, however, and not
+easily shall I forget the long hot summer months in that
+oven-like place, where towards the eaves one could touch
+the heated tiles with one's hand. More room or better
+accommodation it was impossible to obtain.</p>
+
+<p>We varied our stay by visits to the surrounding country;
+but the difficulties and dangers that encountered us here
+were so great and constant, that our former work in the
+North began to appear safe and easy in comparison. The
+hatred and contempt of the Cantonese was very painful,
+"foreign devil," "foreign dog," or "foreign pig" being the
+commonest appellations; but all this led us into deeper
+fellowship than I had ever known before with Him who
+was "despised and rejected of men."</p>
+
+<p>In our visits to the country we were liable to be seized
+at any time and held to ransom; and the people commonly
+declared that the whole district was "without emperor,
+without ruler, and without law." Certainly, might was
+right in those days. On one occasion we were visiting a
+small town, and found that the inhabitants had captured
+a wealthy man of another clan. A large ransom was
+demanded for his release, and on his refusing to pay it
+they had smashed his ankle-bones, one by one, with a club,
+and thus extorted the promise they desired. There was
+nothing but <span class="smcap">God's</span> protection to prevent our being treated
+in the same way. The towns were all walled, and one
+such place would contain ten or twenty thousand people
+of the same clan and surname, who were frequently at war
+with the people living in the next town. To be kindly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>
+received in one place was not uncommonly a source of
+danger in the next. In circumstances such as these the
+preserving care of our <span class="smcap">God</span> was often manifested.</p>
+
+<p>After a time the local mandarin became ill, and the
+native doctors were unable to relieve him. He had heard
+from some who had been under my treatment of the benefit
+derived, and was led to seek our help. <span class="smcap">God</span> blessed
+the medicines given, and grateful for relief, he advised our
+renting a house for a hospital and dispensary. Having his
+permission, we were able to secure the entire premises, one
+room of which we had previously occupied. I had left my
+stock of medicine and surgical instruments under the care
+of my friend, the late Mr. Wylie, in Shanghai, and went
+back at once to fetch them.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Burns came down from a town called Am-po, that
+we had visited together several times, to see me off, and
+returned again when I had sailed, with two native evangelists
+sent up from Hong-kong by the Rev. J. Johnson, of
+the American Baptist Missionary Union. The people were
+willing to listen to their preaching, and to accept their
+books as a gift, but they would not buy them. One night
+robbers broke in and carried off everything they had, with
+the exception of their stock of literature, which was supposed
+to be valueless. Next morning, very early, they
+were knocked up by persons wishing to buy books, and the
+sales continued; so that by breakfast time they had not
+only cash enough to procure food, but to pay also for the
+passage of one of the men to Double Island, below Swatow,
+with a letter to Mr. Burns's agent to supply him with
+money. Purchasers continued coming during that day
+and the next, and our friends lacked nothing; but on the
+third day they could not sell a single book. Then, however,
+when the cash from their sales was just exhausted,
+the messenger returned with supplies.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was early in July, after about four months' residence
+in Swatow, that I left for Shanghai, intending to return in
+the course of a few weeks, bringing with me my medical
+apparatus, for further work in association with the Rev.
+William Burns. A new and promising field seemed to be
+opening before us, and it was with much hopeful anticipation
+that we looked forward to the future of the work.
+Marked blessing was indeed in store for the city and
+neighbourhood of Swatow; but it was not the purpose of
+<span class="smcap">God</span> that either of us should remain to reap the harvest.
+Mr. Burns while in the interior was taken up and imprisoned
+by the Chinese authorities soon after I left, and was sent to
+Canton. And though he returned to Swatow after the war
+had broken out, he was called away for other service, which
+prevented his subsequent return; while my journey to
+Shanghai proved to be the first step in a diverging pathway
+leading to other spheres.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;">
+<img src="images/music.jpg" width="550" height="1009" alt="Music: The Missionary Call" title="Music: The Missionary Call" />
+</div>
+<div class="center"><small>[<i>Transcriber's Note: You can listen to this music (MIDI file) by clicking</i> here for an <br /><a href="music/missionary.mid">organ version</a> or
+here for a <a href="music/missionarypiano.mid">piano version</a>.]</small></div>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<div class='poem2'>
+2. Why live I here? the vows of <span class="smcap">God</span> are | on me; | and I may not stop<br />
+to play with shadows or pluck earthly flowers, | till I my work<br />
+have done, and | rendered up ac | count.<br />
+<br />
+3. And I will | go! | I may no longer doubt to give up friends, and idol |<br />
+hopes, | and every tie that binds my heart to | thee, my | country.<br />
+<br />
+4. Henceforth, then, it matters not, if storm or sunshine be my | earthly<br />
+lot, | bitter or sweet my | cup; | I only pray: "<span class="smcap">God</span> make me<br />
+holy, and my spirit nerve for the stern | hour of strife!"<br />
+<br />
+5. And when one for whom Satan hath struggled as he hath for | me, | has<br />
+gained at last that blessed | shore, | Oh! how this heart will glow<br />
+with | gratitude and | love.<br />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus20.jpg" width="500" height="182" alt="A fishing village on the lake near Yünnan Fu" title="A fishing village on the lake near Yünnan Fu" />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+
+<h3>MAN PROPOSES, GOD DISPOSES</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>IT is interesting to notice the various events which
+united, in the providence of <span class="smcap">God</span>, in preventing my
+return to Swatow, and ultimately led to my settling in
+Ningpo, and making that the centre for the development
+of future labours.</div>
+
+<p>Upon reaching Shanghai, great was my dismay to find
+that the premises in which my medicines and instruments
+had been stored were burnt down, and that all the
+medicines and many of the instruments were entirely
+destroyed. To me this appeared a great calamity, and I
+fear I was more disposed with faithless Jacob to say, "All
+these things are against me," than to recognise that "All
+things work together for good." I had not then learned
+to think of <span class="smcap">God</span> as the One Great Circumstance "in Whom
+we live, and move, and have our being"; and of <i>all</i> lesser,
+external circumstances, as necessarily the kindest, wisest,
+best, because either ordered or permitted by Him. Hence
+my disappointment and trial were very great.</p>
+
+<p>Medicines were expensive in Shanghai, and my means
+were limited. I therefore set out on an inland journey to
+Ningpo, hoping to obtain a supply from Dr. William
+Parker, a member of the same mission as myself. I took
+with me my few remaining possessions, the principal being<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>
+my watch, a few surgical instruments, a concertina, books
+for the study of Chinese, which in those days were very
+expensive; but left behind in Shanghai a portion of my
+money.</p>
+
+<p>The country through which I had to pass was suffering
+much from drought; it was the height of summer; and
+the water in the Grand Canal was very low, having been
+largely drawn upon for the neighbouring rice fields, as well
+as evaporated by the intense heat. I had determined to
+make the journey as much of a mission tour as possible,
+and set out well supplied with Christian tracts and books.
+After fourteen days spent in travelling slowly through the
+populous country, preaching and distributing books, etc.,
+we reached a large town called Shih-mun-wan, and here,
+finding that my supply of literature was exhausted, I determined
+not to linger over the rest of the journey, but to
+reach Ningpo as speedily as possible, <i>vi&acirc;</i> the city of
+Hai-ning.</p>
+
+
+<div class='right'>
+<i>August 4th, 1856.</i><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>There was no water beyond Shih-mun-wan, so I paid off
+my boat, hired coolies to carry my things as far as to
+Chang-gan, and ere sunrise we were on the way. I walked
+on alone, leaving my servant to follow with the men, who
+made frequent stoppages to rest; and on reaching a city
+through which we had to pass, I waited for them in a
+tea-shop just outside the North Gate. The coolies came
+on very slowly, and seemed tired when they arrived. I
+soon found that they were both opium-smokers, so that,
+although they had only carried a load that one strong man
+would think nothing of taking three times the distance,
+they really seemed wearied.</p>
+
+<p>After some rice and tea and an hour's rest&mdash;including,
+I doubt not, a smoke of the opium pipe&mdash;they were a
+little refreshed, and I proposed moving on, that we might<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>
+get to Chang-gan before the sun became too powerful. My
+servant, however, had a friend in the city, and he desired
+to spend the day there, and to go on next morning. But
+to this I objected, wishing to reach Hai-ning that night if
+possible.&nbsp;.&nbsp;.&nbsp;. We therefore set off, entered the North
+Gate, and had passed through about a third of the city,
+when the coolies stopped to rest, and said they should be
+unable to carry the burden on to Chang-gan. Finally,
+they agreed to take it to the South Gate, where they were
+to be paid in proportion to the distance they had carried
+it; and the servant undertook to call other coolies and
+come along with them.</p>
+
+<p>I walked on before as in the first instance, and the
+distance being only about four miles, soon reached Chang-gan,
+and waited their arrival, meanwhile engaging coolies
+for the rest of the journey to Hai-ning. Having waited a
+long time, I began to wonder at the delay; and at length
+it became too late to finish the journey to Hai-ning that
+night. I felt somewhat annoyed; and but that my feet
+were blistered, and the afternoon very hot, I should have
+gone back to meet them and urge them on. At last I
+concluded that my servant must have gone to his friend's,
+and would not appear until evening. But evening came,
+and still there was no sign of them.</p>
+
+<p>Feeling very uneasy, I began diligently to inquire
+whether they had been seen. At last a man responded,
+"Are you a guest from Shih-mun-wan?" I answered
+in the affirmative. "Are you going to Hai-ning?"
+"That is my destination." "Then your things have
+gone on before you; for I was sitting in a tea-shop
+when a coolie came in, took a cup of tea, and set off for
+Hai-ning in a great hurry, saying that the bamboo box
+and bed he carried, which were just such as you describe
+yours to have been, were from Shih-mun-wan, and he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>
+had to take them to Hai-ning to-night, where he was to
+be paid at the rate of ten cash a pound." From this I
+concluded that my goods were on before me; but it
+was impossible to follow them at once, for I was too tired
+to walk, and it was already dark.</p>
+
+<p>Under these circumstances all I could do was to seek
+a lodging for the night; and no easy task I found it.
+After raising my heart to <span class="smcap">God</span> to ask His aid, I walked
+through to the farther end of the town, where I thought
+the tidings of a foreigner's being in the place might not
+have spread, and looked out for an inn. I soon came to
+one, and went in, hoping that I might pass unquestioned,
+as it was already dark. Asking the bill of fare, I was told
+that cold rice&mdash;which proved to be more than "rather
+burnt"&mdash;and snakes, fried in lamp-oil, were all that could
+be had. Not wishing any question to be raised as to my
+nationality, I was compelled to order some, and tried to
+make a meal, but with little success.</p>
+
+<p>While thus engaged I said to the landlord, "I suppose
+I can arrange to spend the night here?"</p>
+
+<p>To which he replied in the affirmative; but bringing
+out his book, he added&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"In these unsettled times we are required by the
+authorities to keep a record of our lodgers: may I
+ask your respected family name?"</p>
+
+<p>"My unworthy family name is Tai," I responded.</p>
+
+<p>"And your honourable second name?"</p>
+
+<p>"My humble name is Ia-koh" (James).</p>
+
+<p>"What an extraordinary name! I never heard it before.
+How do you write it?"</p>
+
+<p>I told him, and added, "It is a common name in the
+district from which I come."</p>
+
+<p>"And may I ask whence you come and whither you
+are going?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am journeying from Shanghai to Ningpo, by way of
+Hang-chau."</p>
+
+<p>"What may be your honourable profession?"</p>
+
+<p>"I heal the sick."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! you are a physician," the landlord remarked;
+and to my intense relief closed the book. His wife,
+however, took up the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>"You are a physician, are you?" said she; "I am glad
+of that, for I have a daughter afflicted with leprosy. If
+you will cure her, you shall have your supper and bed for
+nothing."</p>
+
+<p>I was curious enough to inquire what my supper and
+bed were to cost, if paid for; and to my amusement found
+they were worth less than three-halfpence of our money!</p>
+
+<p>Being unable to benefit the girl, I declined to prescribe
+for her, saying that leprosy was a very intractable disease,
+and that I had no medicines with me.</p>
+
+<p>The mother, however, brought pen and paper, urging,
+"You can at least write a prescription, which will do no
+harm, if it does no good."</p>
+
+<p>But this also I declined to do, and requested to be
+shown my bed. I was conducted to a very miserable room
+on the ground-floor, where, on some boards raised upon
+two stools, I passed the night, without bed or pillow,
+save my umbrella and shoe, and without any mosquito
+netting. Ten or eleven other lodgers were sleeping in the
+same room, so I could not take anything off, for fear of
+its being stolen; but I was, I found, by no means too
+warm as midnight came on.</p>
+
+
+<div class='right'>
+<i>August 5th.</i><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>As may be supposed, I arose but little rested or refreshed,
+and felt very far from well. I had to wait a long time ere
+breakfast was obtainable, and then there was another delay
+before I could get change for the only dollar I had with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>
+me, in consequence of its being chipped in one or two
+places. More than three hundred cash also were deducted
+from its price on this account, which was a serious loss to
+me in my trying position.</p>
+
+<p>I then sought throughout the town for tidings of my
+servant and coolies, as I thought it possible that they
+might have arrived later, or have come on in the morning.
+The town is large, long, and straggling, being nearly two
+miles from one end to the other, so this occupied some
+time. I gained no information, however; and, footsore
+and weary, set out for Hai-ning in the full heat of the day.
+The journey&mdash;about eight miles&mdash;took me a long time;
+but a halfway village afforded a resting-place and a cup of
+tea, both of which I gladly availed myself of. When about
+to leave again, a heavy shower of rain came on, and the
+delay thus occasioned enabled me to speak a little to the
+people about the truths of the Gospel.</p>
+
+<p>The afternoon was far spent before I approached the
+northern suburb of Hai-ning, where I commenced inquiries,
+but could hear no tidings of my servant or things. I was
+told that outside the East Gate I should be more likely to
+hear of them, as it was there the sea-junks called. I therefore
+proceeded thither, and sought for them outside the
+Little East Gate, but in vain. Very weary, I sat down in a
+tea-shop to rest; and while there a number of persons from
+one of the mandarin's offices came in, and made inquiries
+as to who I was, where I had come from, etc. On learning
+the object of my search, one of the men in the tea-shop
+said, "A bamboo box and a bed, such as you describe,
+were carried past here about half an hour ago. The bearer
+seemed to be going towards either the Great East Gate or
+the South Gate; you had better go to the hongs there and
+inquire." I asked him to accompany me in the search,
+and promised to reward him for his trouble, but he would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>
+not. Another man offered to go with me, so we set off
+together, and both inside and outside the two gates made
+diligent inquiries, but all in vain. I then engaged a man
+to make a thorough search, promising him a liberal reward
+if he should be successful. In the meantime I had some
+dinner, and addressed a large concourse of people who had
+gathered together.</p>
+
+<p>When he returned, having met with no success, I said
+to him, "I am now quite exhausted: will you help me to
+find quarters for the night, and then I will pay you for your
+trouble?" He was willing to befriend me, and we set off
+in search of lodgings. At the first place or two the people
+would not receive me; for though on our first going in
+they seemed willing to do so, the presence of a man who
+followed us, and who, I found, was engaged in one of the
+Government offices, seemed to alarm them, and I was refused.
+We now went to a third place, and being no longer
+followed by the mandarin's messenger, we were promised
+quarters; some tea was brought, and I paid the man who
+had accompanied me for his trouble.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after he was gone some official people came in;
+they soon went away, but the result of their visit was that I
+was told I could not be entertained there that night. A
+young man present blamed them for their heartless behaviour,
+and said, "Never mind, come with me; and if
+we cannot get better lodgings for you, you shall sleep at
+our house." I went with him, but we found the people of
+his house unwilling to receive me. Weary and footsore, so
+that I could scarcely stand, I had again to seek quarters,
+and at length got promise of them; but a little crowd
+collecting about the door, they desired me to go to a tea-shop
+and wait there till the people had retired, or they
+would be unable to accommodate me. There was no help
+for it, so I went, accompanied still by the young man, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>
+waited till past midnight. Then we left for the promised
+resting-place; but my conductor would not find it, and he
+led me about to another part of the city; and finally,
+between one and two o'clock, he left me to pass the rest
+of the night as best I could.</p>
+
+<p>I was opposite a temple, but it was closed; so I lay
+down on the stone steps in front of it, and putting my
+money under my head for a pillow, should soon have been
+asleep in spite of the cold had I not perceived a person
+coming stealthily towards me. As he approached I saw he
+was one of the beggars so common in China, and had no
+doubt his intention was to rob me of my money. I did
+not stir, but watched his movements, and looked to my
+<span class="smcap">Father</span> not to leave me in this hour of trial. The man
+came up, looked at me for some time to assure himself
+that I was asleep (it was so dark that he could not see my
+eyes fixed on him), and then began to feel about me gently.
+I said to him in the quietest tone, but so as to convince
+him that I was not, nor had been, sleeping, "What do you
+want?" He made no answer, but went away.</p>
+
+<p>I was very thankful to see him go, and when he was out
+of sight put as much of my cash as would not go into my
+pocket safely up my sleeve, and made my pillow of a stone
+projection of the wall. It was not long ere I began to
+doze, but I was aroused by the all but noiseless footsteps
+of two persons approaching; for my nervous system was
+rendered so sensitive by exhaustion that the slightest noise
+startled me. Again I sought protection from Him who
+alone was my stay, and lay still as before, till one of them
+came up and began to feel under my head for the cash. I
+spoke again, and they sat down at my feet. I asked them
+what they were doing; they replied that they, like me,
+were going to pass the night there. I then requested them
+to take the opposite side, as there was plenty of room, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>
+leave this side to me; but they would not move from my
+feet, so I raised myself up and set my back against the
+wall.</p>
+
+<p>They said, "You had better lie down and sleep; if you
+do not, you will be unable to walk to-morrow. Do not be
+afraid; we shall not leave you, and will see that no one
+hurts you."</p>
+
+<p>"Listen to me," I replied. "I do not want your protection;
+I need it not; I am not a Chinese; I do not
+worship your senseless, helpless idols. I worship <span class="smcap">God</span>;
+He is my <span class="smcap">Father</span>; I trust in Him. I know well what
+you are, and what your intentions are, and shall keep my
+eye on you, and shall not sleep."</p>
+
+<p>On this, one of them went away, but soon returned
+with a third companion. I felt very uneasy, but looked to
+<span class="smcap">God</span> for help. Once or twice one of them got up to see
+if I was asleep. I only said, "Do not be mistaken; I am
+not sleeping." Occasionally my head dropped, and this
+was a signal for one of them to rise; but I at once roused
+myself and made some remark. As the night slowly
+passed on, I felt very weary; and to keep myself awake,
+as well as to cheer my mind, I sang several hymns, repeated
+aloud some portions of Scripture, and engaged in prayer
+in English, to the great annoyance of my companions, who
+seemed as if they would have given anything to get me to
+desist. After that they troubled me no more; and shortly
+before dawn of day they left me, and I got a little sleep.</p>
+
+
+<div class='right'>
+<i>August 6th.</i><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>I was awakened by the young man who had so misled
+me on the previous evening. He was very rude, and
+insisted on my getting up and paying him for his trouble,
+and even went so far as to try to accomplish by force
+what he wanted. This roused me; and in an unguarded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>
+moment, with very improper feeling, I seized his arm with
+such a grasp as he little expected I was capable of, and
+dared him to lay a finger upon me again or to annoy me
+further. This quite changed his manner; he let me quietly
+remain till the guns announced the opening of the gates of
+the city, and then he begged me to give him some money
+to buy opium with. It is needless to say this was refused.
+I gave him the price of two candles, that he said he had
+burnt while with me last night and no more. I learned he
+was connected with one of the mandarin's offices.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as possible, I bought some rice gruel and tea
+for breakfast, and then once more made a personal search
+after my things. Some hours thus spent proving unavailing,
+I set out on the return journey, and after a long, weary,
+and painful walk reached Chang-gan about noon. Here
+also my inquiries failed to give me any trace of the missing
+goods; so I had a meal cooked in a tea-shop, got a
+thorough wash and bathed my inflamed feet, and after
+dinner rested and slept till four in the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>Much refreshed, I then set on to return to the city, at
+the South Gate of which I had parted with my servant and
+coolies two days before. On the way I was led to reflect
+on the goodness of <span class="smcap"><ins title="Transcriber's Note: God here not printed in small capitals in original">God</ins></span>, and recollected that I had not
+made it a matter of prayer that I might be provided with
+lodgings last night. I felt condemned, too, that I should
+have been so anxious for my few things, while the many
+precious souls around me had caused so little emotion. I
+came as a sinner and pleaded the blood of <span class="smcap">Jesus</span>, realising
+that I was accepted in Him&mdash;pardoned, cleansed, sanctified&mdash;and
+oh the love of <span class="smcap">Jesus</span>, how great I felt it to be! I
+knew something more than I had ever previously known
+of what it was to be despised and rejected, and to have
+nowhere to lay one's head; and I felt more than ever I had
+done before the greatness of that love which induced Him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span>
+to leave His home in glory and suffer thus for me; nay, to
+lay down His very life upon the Cross. I thought of Him
+as "despised and rejected of men, a Man of sorrows, and
+acquainted with grief"; I thought of Him at Jacob's well,
+weary, hungry, and thirsty, yet finding it His meat and
+drink to do His Father's will; and contrasted this with
+my littleness of love. I looked to Him for pardon for the
+past, and for grace and strength to do His will in the future,
+to tread more closely in His footsteps, and be more than
+ever wholly His. I prayed for myself, for friends in
+England, and for my brethren in the work. Sweet tears of
+mingled joy and sorrow flowed freely, the road was almost
+forgotten, and before I was aware of it I had reached my
+destination. Outside the South Gate I took a cup of tea,
+asked about my lost luggage, and spoke of the love of
+<span class="smcap">Jesus</span>. Then I entered the city, and after many vain inquiries
+left it by the North Gate.</p>
+
+<p>I felt so much refreshed both in mind and body by the
+communion I had on my walk to the city that I thought
+myself able to finish the remaining six miles back to Shih-mun-wan
+that evening. First I went into another tea-shop
+to buy some native cakes, and was making a meal of them
+when who should come in but one of the identical coolies
+who had carried my things the first stage. From him I
+learned that after I left them they had taken my luggage
+to the South Gate; there my servant went away, saying on
+his return that I had gone on, that he did not intend to
+start at once, but would spend the day with his friend, and
+then rejoin me; they carried the things to this friend's
+house, and left them there. I got him to go with me to the
+house, and there learned that the man had spent the day
+and night with them, and next morning had called other
+coolies, and set off for Hang-chau. This was all I could
+gather; so, unable to do anything but proceed on my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>
+return journey to Shanghai with all expedition, I left the
+city again. It was now too late to go on to Shih-mun-wan.
+I looked to my <span class="smcap">Father</span> as able to supply all my need, and
+received another token of His ceaseless love and care,
+being invited to sleep on a hong-boat, now dry in the bed
+of the river. The night was again very cold and the
+mosquitoes troublesome. Still, I got a little rest, and at
+sunrise was up and continued my journey.</p>
+
+
+<div class='right'>
+<i>August 7th.</i><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>I felt very ill at first, and had a sore throat, but reflected
+on the wonderful goodness of <span class="smcap">God</span> in enabling me
+to bear the heat by day and the cold by night so long. I
+felt also that quite a load was now taken off my mind. I
+had committed myself and my affairs to the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>, and
+knew that if it was for my good and for His glory my
+things would be restored; if not, all would be for the best.
+I hoped that the most trying part of my journey was now
+drawing to a close, and this helped me, weary and footsore,
+on the way. When I got to Shih-mun-wan and had breakfasted,
+I found I had still eight hundred and ten cash in
+hand; and I knew that the hong-boat fare to Kia-hing Fu
+was one hundred and twenty cash, and thence to Shanghai
+three hundred and sixty, leaving me just three hundred
+and thirty cash&mdash;or twelve pence and a fraction&mdash;for three
+or four days provisions. I went at once to the boat office,
+but to my dismay found that from the dry state of the
+river goods had not come down, so that no boat would
+leave to-day and perhaps none to-morrow. I inquired if
+there were no letter-boats for Kia-hing Fu, and was told that
+they had already left. The only remaining resource was to
+ascertain if any private boats were going in which I could
+get a passage. My search, however, was in vain; and I
+could get no boat to undertake to go all the way to
+Shanghai, or my difficulty would have been at an end.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Just at this juncture I saw before me, at a turn in the
+canal, a letter-boat going in the direction of Kia-hing Fu
+This, I concluded, must be one of the Kia-hing boats that
+had been unexpectedly detained, and I set off after it as
+fast as hope and the necessities of the case would carry me.
+For the time being weariness and sore feet were alike
+forgotten. After a chase of about a mile I overtook it.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going to Kia-hing Fu?" I called out.</p>
+
+<p>"No," was the only answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going in that direction?"</p>
+
+<p>"No."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you give me a passage as far as you do go that
+way?"</p>
+
+<p>Still "No," and nothing more.</p>
+
+<p>Completely dispirited and exhausted, I sank down on
+the grass and fainted away.</p>
+
+<p>As consciousness returned some voices reached my ear,
+and I found they were talking about me. One said, "He
+speaks pure Shanghai dialect," and from their own speech
+I knew them to be Shanghai people. Raising myself, I
+saw that they were on a large hong-boat on the other side
+of the canal, and after a few words they sent their small
+boat to fetch me, and I went on board the junk. They
+were very kind, and gave me some tea; and when I was
+refreshed and able to partake of it, some food also. I then
+took my shoes and stockings off to ease my feet, and the
+boatman kindly provided me with hot water to bathe them.
+When they heard my story, and saw the blisters on my feet,
+they evidently pitied me, and hailed every boat that passed
+to see if it was going my way. Not finding one, by and by,
+after a few hours' sleep, I went ashore with the captain,
+intending to preach in the temple of Kwan-ti.</p>
+
+<p>Before leaving the junk I told the captain and those
+on board that I was now unable to help myself; that I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>
+had not strength to walk to Kia-hing Fu, and having been
+disappointed in getting a passage to-day, I should no longer
+have sufficient means to take me there by letter-boat, which
+was an expensive mode of travelling; that I knew not how
+the <span class="smcap">God</span> whom I served would help me, but that I had no
+doubt He would do so; and that my business now was to
+serve Him where I was. I also told them that the help
+which I knew would come ought to be an evidence to them
+of the truth of the religion which I and the other missionaries
+at Shanghai preached.</p>
+
+<p>On our way to the town, while engaged in conversation
+with the captain, we saw a letter-boat coming up. The
+captain drew my attention to it; but I reminded him that
+I had no longer the means of paying my passage by it.
+He hailed it, nevertheless, and found that it was going to
+a place about nine English miles from Shanghai, whence
+one of the boatmen would carry the mails overland to the
+city. He then said, "This gentleman is a foreigner from
+Shanghai, who has been robbed, and has no longer the
+means of returning. If you will take him with you as far
+as you go, and then engage a sedan chair to carry him the
+rest of the way, he will pay you in Shanghai. You see my
+boat is lying aground yonder for want of water, and cannot
+get away. Now, I will stand surety; and if this gentleman
+does not pay when you get to Shanghai, I will do so on
+your return." This unsolicited kindness on the part of a
+Chinaman, a perfect stranger, will appear the more remarkable
+to any one acquainted with the character of the Chinese,
+who are generally most reluctant to risk their money.
+Those on the letter-boat agreeing to the terms, I was taken
+on board as a passenger. Oh, how thankful I felt for this
+providential interposition, and to be once more on my way
+to Shanghai!</p>
+
+<p>Letter-boats such as the one on which I was now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>
+travelling are of a long narrow build, and very limited as
+to their inside accommodation. One has to lie down all
+the time they are in motion, as a slight movement would
+easily upset them. This was no irksome condition to me,
+however; on the contrary, I was only too glad to be quiet.
+They are the quickest boats I have seen in China. Each
+one is worked by two men, who relieve one another continuously
+night and day. They row with their feet, and
+paddle with their hands; or if the wind is quite favourable,
+row with their feet, and with one hand manage a small
+sail, while steering with the other.</p>
+
+<p>After a pleasant and speedy journey, I reached Shanghai
+in safety on August 9th, through the help of Him who has
+said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee;" "Lo, I
+am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;">
+<img src="images/illus21.jpg" width="400" height="307" alt="Teng-yueh, the westernmost walled city in China" title="Teng-yueh, the westernmost walled city in China" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus22.jpg" width="500" height="176" alt="A small temple near Wun-chau" title="A small temple near Wun-chau" />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+
+<h3>PROVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>IT now seemed very clear that the lost property&mdash;including
+everything I possessed in China, with the
+exception of a small sum of money providentially left in
+Shanghai&mdash;had been deliberately stolen by my servant,
+who had gone off with it to Hang-chau. The first question,
+of course, was how best to act for the good of the man who
+had been the cause of so much trouble. It would not
+have been difficult to take steps that would have led to his
+punishment; though the likelihood of any reparation being
+made for the loss sustained was very small. But the
+consideration which weighed most heavily was that the
+thief was a man for whose salvation I had laboured and
+prayed; and I felt that to prosecute him would not be to
+emphasise the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount, in
+which we had read together, "Resist not evil," and other
+similar precepts. Finally, concluding that his soul was of
+more value than the &pound;40 worth of things I had lost, I
+wrote and told him this, urging upon him his need of
+repentance and faith in the <span class="smcap">Lord Jesus Christ</span>. The
+course I took commended itself to my Christian friends in
+England, one of whom was afterwards led to send me a
+cheque for &pound;40&mdash;the first of many subsequently received
+from the same kind helper.</div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>Having obtained the little money left in Shanghai,
+I again set out for Ningpo, to seek assistance from Dr. Parker
+in replacing the medicines I had previously lost by
+fire. This being satisfactorily accomplished, I returned
+once more to Shanghai, <i>en route</i> for Swatow, hoping soon
+to rejoin my much-loved friend, Mr. Burns, in the work in
+that important centre. <span class="smcap">God</span> had willed it otherwise, however;
+and the delay caused by the robbery was just sufficient to
+prevent me from starting for the South as I had intended.</p>
+
+<p>Over the political horizon storm-clouds had long been
+gathering, precursors of coming war; and early in October
+of this year (1856) the affair of the Lorcha <i>Arrow</i> at
+Canton led to the definite commencement of hostilities.
+Very soon China was deeply involved in a second prolonged
+struggle with foreign powers; and missionary operations,
+in the South at any rate, had to be largely suspended.
+Tidings of these events, together with letters from Mr.
+Burns, arrived just in time to meet me in Shanghai as
+I was leaving for Swatow; and thus hindered, I could not
+but realise the hand of <span class="smcap">God</span> in closing the door I had so
+much desired to enter.</p>
+
+<p>While in Ningpo, I had made the acquaintance of Mr.
+John Jones, who, with Dr. Parker, represented the Chinese
+Evangelisation Society in that city. Hindered from returning
+to Swatow, I now decided to join these brethren in
+the Ningpo work, and set out at once upon the journey.
+On the afternoon of the second day, when already about
+thirty miles distant from Shanghai, Mr. Jones and I drew
+near the large and important city of Sung-kiang, and I
+spoke of going ashore to preach the Gospel to the thronging
+multitudes that lined the banks and crowded the
+approaches to the city gates.</p>
+
+<p>Among the passengers on board the boat was one
+intelligent man, who in the course of his travels had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>
+a good deal abroad, and had even visited England, where
+he went by the name of Peter. As might be expected,
+he had heard something of the Gospel, but had never
+experienced its saving power. On the previous evening
+I had drawn him into earnest converse about his soul's
+salvation. The man listened with attention, and was
+even moved to tears, but still no definite result was
+apparent. I was pleased, therefore, when he asked to be
+allowed to accompany me, and to hear me preach.</p>
+
+<p>I went into the cabin of the boat to prepare tracts and
+books for distribution on landing with my Chinese friend,
+when suddenly I was startled by a splash and a cry from
+without. I sprang on deck, and took in the situation
+at a glance. Peter was gone! The other men were all
+there, on board, looking helplessly at the spot where he
+had disappeared, but making no effort to save him. A
+strong wind was carrying the junk rapidly forward in spite
+of a steady current in the opposite direction, and the low-lying,
+shrubless shore afforded no landmark to indicate
+how far we had left the drowning man behind.</p>
+
+<p>I instantly let down the sail and leapt overboard in the
+hope of finding him. Unsuccessful, I looked around in
+agonising suspense, and saw close to me a fishing-boat
+with a peculiar drag-net furnished with hooks, which I
+knew would bring him up.</p>
+
+<p>"Come!" I cried, as hope revived in my heart.
+"Come and drag over this spot directly; a man is
+drowning just here!"</p>
+
+<p>"Veh bin" (It is not convenient), was the unfeeling
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't talk of <i>convenience!</i>" cried I in an agony; "a
+man is drowning, I tell you!"</p>
+
+<p>"We are busy fishing," they responded, "and cannot
+come."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Never mind your fishing," I said, "I will give you
+more money than many a day's fishing will bring; only
+come&mdash;come at once!"</p>
+
+<p>"How much money will you give us?"</p>
+
+<p>"We cannot stay to discuss that now! Come, or it
+will be too late. I will give you five dollars" (then worth
+about thirty shillings in English money).</p>
+
+<p>"We won't do it for that," replied the men. "Give us
+twenty dollars, and we will drag."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not possess so much: do come quickly, and I
+will give you all I have!"</p>
+
+<p>"How much may that be?"</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don't know exactly, about fourteen dollars."</p>
+
+<p>At last, but even then slowly enough, the boat was
+paddled over, and the net let down. Less than a minute
+sufficed to bring up the body of the missing man. The
+fishermen were clamorous and indignant because their exorbitant
+demand was delayed while efforts at resuscitation
+were being made. But all was in vain&mdash;life was extinct.</p>
+
+<p>To myself this incident was profoundly sad and full of
+significance, suggesting a far more mournful reality. Were
+not those fishermen actually guilty of this poor Chinaman's
+death, in that they had the means of saving him at hand,
+if they would but have used them? Assuredly they were
+guilty. And yet, let us pause ere we pronounce judgment
+against them, lest a greater than Nathan answer, "<i>Thou art
+the man</i>." Is it so hard-hearted, so wicked a thing to
+neglect to save the body? Of how much sorer punishment,
+then, is he worthy who leaves the soul to perish,
+and Cain-like says, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The
+<span class="smcap">Lord Jesus</span> commands, commands <i>me</i>, commands <i>you</i>,
+my brother, and <i>you</i>, my sister. "Go," says He, "go ye
+into <i>all</i> the world, and preach the Gospel to <i>every</i> creature."
+Shall we say to <i>Him</i>, "No, it is not convenient"? shall we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>
+tell <i>Him</i> that we are busy fishing and cannot go? that we
+have bought a piece of ground and cannot go? that we
+have purchased five yoke of oxen, or have married, or are
+engaged in other and more interesting pursuits, and cannot
+go? Ere long "we must all appear before the judgment
+seat of <span class="smcap">Christ</span>; that every one may receive the things done
+in his body." Let us remember, let us pray for, let us
+labour for the unevangelised Chinese; <i>or we shall sin
+against our own souls</i>. Let us consider <i>Who</i> it is that
+has said, "If thou <i>forbear</i> to deliver them that are drawn
+unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; if thou
+sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that pondereth
+the heart consider it? and He that keepeth <i>thy</i> soul,
+doth not he know it? and shall not He render to every
+man according to his works?"</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+Through midnight gloom from Macedon,<br />
+The cry of myriads as of one;<br />
+The voiceful silence of despair<br />
+Is eloquent in awful prayer:<br />
+The soul's exceeding bitter cry,<br />
+"Come o'er and help us, or we die."<br />
+<br />
+How mournfully it echoes on,<br />
+For half the earth is Macedon;<br />
+These brethren to their brethren call,<br />
+And by the Love which loves them all,<br />
+And by the whole world's Life they cry,<br />
+"O ye that live, behold we die!"<br />
+<br />
+By other sounds the world is won<br />
+Than that which wails from Macedon;<br />
+The roar of gain is round it rolled,<br />
+Or men unto themselves are sold,<br />
+And cannot list the alien cry,<br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>"O hear and help us, lest we die!"<br />
+<br />
+Yet with that cry from Macedon<br />
+The very car of <span class="smcap">Christ</span> rolls on:<br />
+"<i>I come; who would abide My day,</i><br />
+<i>In yonder wilds prepare My way;</i><br />
+<i>My voice is crying in their cry,</i><br />
+<i>Help ye the dying, lest ye die</i>."<br />
+<br />
+<span class="smcap">Jesu</span>, for men of Man the <span class="smcap">Son</span>,<br />
+Yea, <span class="smcap">Thine</span> the cry from Macedon;<br />
+Oh, by the kingdom and the power<br />
+And glory of Thine advent hour,<br />
+Wake heart and will to hear their cry:<br />
+Help us to help them, lest we die.<br />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a href="images/illus23-big.jpg"><img src="images/illus23.jpg" width="500" height="379" alt="Group of Christians at Lan-k&#39;i, Cheh-kiang" title="Group of Christians at Lan-k&#39;i, Cheh-kiang" />
+</a></div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus24.jpg" width="500" height="195" alt="A boat on the Red River, Tonquin" title="A boat on the Red River, Tonquin" />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+
+<h3>SETTLEMENT IN NINGPO</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>THE autumn of 1856 was well advanced before I
+reached Ningpo, one of the most ancient and
+influential cities on the coast of China. Opened to the
+residence of foreigners in 1842 by the treaty of Nan-king,
+it had long been the scene of missionary labours.
+Within its thronging thoroughfares the busy tide of life
+runs high. Four hundred thousand human beings dwell
+within or around the five miles circuit of its ancient
+wall, every one a soul that <span class="smcap">Jesus</span> loves, for whom He
+died.</div>
+
+<p>As winter drew on I rented a native house in Wu-gyiao-deo,
+or Lake Head Street. It was not then a very
+comfortable residence. I have a very distinct remembrance
+of tracing my initials on the snow which during the
+night had collected upon my coverlet in the large barn-like
+upper room, now subdivided into four or five smaller ones,
+each of which is comfortably ceiled. The tiling of an
+unceiled Chinese house may keep off the rain&mdash;if it happens
+to be sound&mdash;but it does not afford so good a protection
+against snow, which will beat up through crannies and
+crevices, and find its way within. But however unfinished
+may have been its fittings, the little house was well adapted
+for work amongst the people; and there I thankfully settled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span>
+down, finding ample scope for service,&mdash;morning, noon,
+and night.</p>
+
+<p>During the latter part of this year my mind was greatly
+exercised about continued connection with my Society, it
+being frequently in debt. Personally I had always avoided
+debt, and kept within my salary, though at times only by
+very careful economy. Now there was no difficulty in
+doing this, for my income was larger, and the country being
+in a more peaceful state, things were not so dear. But the
+Society itself was in debt. The quarterly bills which I and
+others were instructed to draw were often met by borrowed
+money, and a correspondence commenced which terminated
+in the following year by my resigning from conscientious
+motives.</p>
+
+<p>To me it seemed that the teaching of <span class="smcap">God's</span> Word was
+unmistakably clear: "Owe no man any thing." To borrow
+money implied, to my mind, a contradiction of Scripture&mdash;a
+confession that <span class="smcap">God</span> had withheld some good thing, and a
+determination to get for ourselves what He had not given.
+Could that which was wrong for one Christian to do be
+right for an association of Christians? Or could any
+amount of precedents make a wrong course justifiable? If
+the Word taught me anything, it taught me to have no
+connection with debt. I could not think that <span class="smcap">God</span> was
+poor, that He was short of resources, or unwilling to supply
+any want of whatever work was really His. It seemed to
+me that if there were lack of funds to carry on work, then
+to that degree, in that special development, or at that time,
+it could not be the work of <span class="smcap">God</span>. To satisfy my conscience
+I was therefore compelled to resign connection with the
+Society which had hitherto supplied my salary.</p>
+
+<p>It was a great satisfaction to me that my friend and
+colleague, Mr. Jones, also of the Chinese Evangelisation
+Society, was led to take the same step; and we were both<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>
+profoundly thankful that the separation took place without
+the least breach of friendly feeling on either side. Indeed,
+we had the joy of knowing that the step we took commended
+itself to several members of the Committee,
+although as a whole the Society could not come to our
+position. Depending upon <span class="smcap">God</span> alone for supplies, we
+were enabled to continue a measure of connection with
+our former supporters, sending home journals, etc., for
+publication as before, so long as the Society continued to
+exist.</p>
+
+<p>The step we had taken was not a little trying to faith.
+I was not at all sure what <span class="smcap">God</span> would have me do, or
+whether He would so meet my need as to enable me to
+continue working as before. I had no friends whatever
+from whom I expected supplies. I did not know what
+means the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> might use; but I was willing to give up
+all my time to the service of evangelisation among the
+heathen, if by any means He would supply the smallest
+amount on which I could live; and if He were not pleased
+to do this, I was prepared to undertake whatever work
+might be necessary to supply myself, giving all the time
+that could be spared from such a calling to more distinctly
+missionary efforts. But <span class="smcap">God</span> blessed and prospered me;
+and how glad and thankful I felt when the separation was
+really effected! I could look right up into my <span class="smcap">Father's</span>
+face with a satisfied heart, ready, by His grace, to do the
+next thing as He might teach me, and feeling very sure of
+His loving care.</p>
+
+<p>And how blessedly He did lead me on and provide for
+me I can never, never tell. It was like a continuation of
+some of my earlier home experiences. My faith was not
+untried; it often, often failed, and I was so sorry and
+ashamed of the failure to trust such a <span class="smcap">Father</span>. But oh!
+I was learning to know Him. I would not even then have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>
+missed the trial. He became so near, so real, so intimate.
+The occasional difficulty about funds never came from an
+insufficient supply for personal needs, but in consequence
+of ministering to the wants of scores of the hungry and
+dying ones around us. And trials far more searching in
+other ways quite eclipsed these difficulties; and being
+deeper, brought forth in consequence richer fruits. How
+glad one is now, not only to know, with dear Miss Havergal,
+that&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"They who trust Him wholly<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Find Him wholly true,"</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>but also that when we fail to trust fully He still remains
+unchangingly faithful. He <i>is</i> wholly true whether
+we trust or not. "If we believe not, He abideth faithful;
+He cannot deny Himself." But oh, how we dishonour
+our <span class="smcap">Lord</span> whenever we fail to trust Him, and what peace,
+blessing, and triumph we lose in thus sinning against the
+Faithful One! May we never again presume in anything
+to doubt Him!</div>
+
+<p>The year 1857 was a troublous time, and closed with the
+notorious bombardment of Canton by the British, and the
+commencement of our second Chinese war. Rumours of
+trouble were everywhere rife, and in many places the
+missionaries passed through not a little danger. In Ningpo
+this was especially the case, and the preserving care of <span class="smcap">God</span>
+in answer to prayer was consequently most marked. When
+the awful news of the bombardment of Canton reached the
+Cantonese in Ningpo their wrath and indignation knew no
+bounds, and they immediately set to work to plot the
+destruction of all the foreigners resident in the city and
+neighbourhood. It was well known that many of the
+foreigners were in the habit of meeting for worship every
+Sunday evening at one of the missionary houses, and the
+plan was to surround the place on a given occasion and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>
+make short work of all present, cutting off afterwards any
+who might not be present.</p>
+
+<p>The sanction of the Tao-t'ai, or chief civil magistrate of
+the city, was easily obtained; and nothing remained to
+hinder the execution of the plot, of which the foreigners
+were of course entirely in ignorance. (A similar plot
+against the Portuguese a few months later was carried out,
+and between fifty and sixty were massacred in open daylight.)
+It so happened, however, that one of those acquainted with
+the conspiracy had a friend engaged in the service of the
+missionaries; and anxious for his safety, he was led to warn
+him of the coming danger, and urge his leaving foreign
+employ. The servant made the matter known to his
+master, and thus the little community became aware of
+their peril. Realising the gravity of the situation, they
+determined to meet together at the house of one of their
+number to seek the protection of the Most High, and to
+hide under the shadow of His wings. Nor did they thus
+meet in vain.</p>
+
+<p>At the very time we were praying the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> was working.
+He led an inferior mandarin, the Superintendent of Customs,
+to call upon the Tao-t'ai, and remonstrate with him upon
+the folly of permitting such an attempt, which he assured
+him would rouse the foreigners in other places to come
+with armed forces to avenge the death of their countrymen
+and raze the city to the ground. The Tao-t'ai replied that,
+when the foreigners came for that purpose, he should deny
+all knowledge of or complicity in the plot, and so direct
+their vengeance against the Cantonese, who would in their
+turn be destroyed; "and thus," said he, "we shall get rid
+of both Cantonese and foreigners by one stroke of policy."
+The Superintendent of Customs assured him that all such
+attempts at evasion would be useless; and, finally, the
+Tao-t'ai sent to the Cantonese, withdrawing his permission,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>
+and prohibiting the attack. This took place at the very
+time when we were asking protection of the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>, though
+we did not become acquainted with the facts until some
+weeks later. Thus again we were led to prove that&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"Sufficient is His arm alone,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And our defence is sure."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>I cannot attempt to give any historical record of the
+events of this period, but ere 1857 terminated Mr. Jones
+and I were cheered by tokens of blessing. It is interesting
+to recall the circumstances connected with the first profession
+of faith in Christ, which encouraged us.</p>
+
+<p>On one occasion I was preaching the glad tidings of
+salvation through the finished work of <span class="smcap">Christ</span>, when a
+middle-aged man stood up, and testified before his
+assembled countrymen to his faith in the power of the
+Gospel.</p>
+
+<p>"I have long sought for the Truth," said he earnestly,
+"as my fathers did before me; but I have never found it.
+I have travelled far and near, but without obtaining it. I
+have found no rest in Confucianism, Buddhism, or Taoism;
+but I do find rest in what I have heard here to-night.
+Henceforth I am a believer in <span class="smcap">Jesus</span>."</p>
+
+<p>This man was one of the leading officers of a sect of
+reformed Buddhists in Ningpo. A short time after his
+confession of faith in the <span class="smcap">Saviour</span> there was a meeting of
+the sect over which he had formerly presided. I accompanied
+him to that meeting, and there, to his former co-religionists,
+he testified of the peace he had obtained in
+believing. Soon after, one of his former companions was
+converted and baptized. Both now sleep in <span class="smcap">Jesus</span>. The
+first of these two long continued to preach to his countrymen
+the glad tidings of great joy. A few nights after his
+conversion he asked how long this Gospel had been known<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>
+in England. He was told that we had known it for some
+hundreds of years.</p>
+
+<p>"What!" said he, amazed; "is it possible that for
+hundreds of years you have had the knowledge of these
+glad tidings in your possession, and yet have only now
+come to preach it to us? My father sought after the
+Truth for more than twenty years, and died without finding
+it. Oh, why did you not come sooner?"</p>
+
+<p>A whole generation has passed away since that mournful
+inquiry was made; but how many, alas! might repeat
+the same question to-day? More than two hundred
+millions in the meanwhile have been swept into eternity,
+without an offer of salvation. How long shall this continue,
+and the <span class="smcap">Master's</span> words, "To every creature," remain
+unheeded?</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a href="images/illus25-big.jpg"><img src="images/illus25.jpg" width="500" height="396" alt="Students&#39; quarters, Gan-k&#39;ing Training Home" title="Students&#39; quarters, Gan-k&#39;ing Training Home" />
+</a></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus26.jpg" width="500" height="205" alt="A Mandarin&#39;s sedan chair " title="A Mandarin&#39;s sedan chair " />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+
+<h3>TIMELY SUPPLIES</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>NOT infrequently our <span class="smcap">God</span> brings His people into
+difficulties on purpose that they may come to
+know Him as they could not otherwise do. Then He
+reveals Himself as "a very present help in trouble," and
+makes the heart glad indeed at each fresh revelation of a
+<span class="smcap">Father's</span> faithfulness. We who only see so small a part
+of the sweet issues of trial often feel that we would not
+for anything have missed them; how much more shall we
+bless and magnify His Name when all the hidden things
+are brought to light!</div>
+
+<p>In the autumn of 1857, just one year after I came to
+settle in Ningpo, a little incident occurred that did much
+to strengthen our faith in the loving-kindness and ever-watchful
+care of <span class="smcap">God</span>.</p>
+
+<p>A brother in the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>, the Rev. John Quarterman, of
+the American Presbyterian Mission North, was taken with
+virulent small-pox, and it was my mournful privilege to
+nurse him through his suffering illness to its fatal close.
+When all was over, it became necessary to lay aside the
+garments worn while nursing, for fear of conveying the infection
+to others. Not having sufficient money in hand to
+purchase what was needful in order to make this change,
+prayer was the only resource. The <span class="smcap">Lord</span> answered it by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>
+the unexpected arrival of a long-lost box of clothing from
+Swatow, that had remained in the care of the Rev. William Burns
+when I left him for Shanghai, in the early summer
+of the previous year. The arrival of the things just at
+this juncture was as appropriate as it was remarkable,
+and brought a sweet sense of the <span class="smcap">Father's</span> own providing.</p>
+
+<p>About two months later the following was penned:&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='right'>
+<i>November 18th, 1857.</i><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>Many seem to think that I am very poor. This
+certainly is true enough in one sense, but I thank <span class="smcap">God</span>
+it is "as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet
+possessing all things." And my <span class="smcap">God</span> shall supply <i>all</i> my
+need; to Him be all the glory. I would not, if I could,
+be otherwise than I am&mdash;entirely dependent myself upon
+the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>, and used as a channel of help to others.</p>
+
+<p>On Saturday, the 4th inst., our regular home mail
+arrived. That morning we supplied, as usual, a breakfast
+to the destitute poor, who came to the number of seventy.
+Sometimes they do not reach forty, at others again exceeding
+eighty. They come to us every day, <span class="smcap">Lord's</span> Day
+excepted, for then we cannot manage to attend to them
+and get through all our other duties too. Well, on that
+Saturday morning we paid all expenses, and provided
+ourselves for the morrow, after which we had not a single
+dollar left between us. How the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> was going to
+provide for Monday we knew not; but over our mantelpiece
+hung two scrolls in the Chinese character&mdash;<i>Ebenezer</i>,
+"Hitherto hath the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> helped us"; and <i>Jehovah-Jireh</i>,
+"The <span class="smcap">Lord</span> will provide"&mdash;and He kept us from doubting
+for a moment. That very day the mail came in, <i>a week
+sooner than was expected</i>, and Mr. Jones received a bill for
+two hundred and fourteen dollars. We thanked <span class="smcap">God</span> and
+took courage. The bill was taken to a merchant, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>
+although there is usually a delay of several days in getting
+the change, this time he said, "Send down on Monday."
+We sent, and though he had not been able to buy all the
+dollars, he let us have seventy on account; so all was well.
+Oh, it is sweet to live thus directly dependent upon the
+<span class="smcap">Lord</span>, who never fails us!</p>
+
+<p>On Monday the poor had their breakfast as usual, for we
+had not told them not to come, being assured that it was
+the <span class="smcap">Lord's</span> work, and that the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> would provide. We
+could not help our eyes filling with tears of gratitude when
+we saw not only our own needs supplied, but the widow
+and the orphan, the blind and the lame, the friendless and
+the destitute, together provided for by the bounty of Him
+who feeds the ravens. "O magnify the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> with me,
+and let us exalt His Name together.&nbsp;.&nbsp;.&nbsp;. Taste and see
+that the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in
+Him. O fear the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>, ye His saints: for there is no
+want to them that fear Him. The young lions do
+lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>
+shall not want any good thing"&mdash;and if not good, why
+want it?</p>
+
+<p>But even two hundred dollars cannot last for ever, and
+by New Year's Day supplies were again getting low. At
+last, on January 6th, 1858, only one solitary cash remained&mdash;the
+twentieth part of a penny&mdash;in the joint possession
+of Mr. Jones and myself; but though tried we looked to
+<span class="smcap">God</span> once again to manifest His gracious care. Enough
+provision was found in the house to supply a meagre
+breakfast; after which, having neither food for the rest of
+the day, nor money to buy any, we could only betake
+ourselves to Him who was able to supply all our need
+with the petition, "Give us this day our daily bread."</p>
+
+<p>After prayer and deliberation we thought that perhaps
+we ought to dispose of something we possessed in order to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>
+meet our immediate requirements. But on looking round
+we saw nothing that we could well spare, and little that the
+Chinese would purchase for ready money. Credit to any
+extent we might have had, could we conscientiously have
+availed ourselves of it, but this we felt to be unscriptural
+in itself, as well as inconsistent with the position we were
+in. We had, indeed, one article&mdash;an iron stove&mdash;which
+we knew the Chinese would readily purchase; but we
+much regretted the necessity of parting with it. At length,
+however, we set out to the founder's, and after a walk of
+some distance came to the river, which we had intended to
+cross by a floating bridge of boats; but here the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>
+shut up our path. The bridge had been carried away
+during the preceding night, and the river was only passable
+by means of a ferry, the fare for which was two cash
+each person. As we only possessed one cash, our course
+clearly was to return and await <span class="smcap">God's</span> own interposition
+on our behalf.</p>
+
+<p>Upon reaching home, we found that Mrs. Jones had gone
+with the children to dine at a friend's house, in accordance
+with an invitation accepted some days previously. Mr.
+Jones, though himself included in the invitation, refused
+now to go and leave me to fast alone. So we set to work
+and carefully searched the cupboards; and though there
+was nothing to eat, we found a small packet of cocoa,
+which, with a little hot water, somewhat revived us. After
+this we again cried to the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> in our trouble, and the
+<span class="smcap">Lord</span> heard and saved us out of all our distresses. For
+while we were still upon our knees a letter arrived from
+England containing a remittance.</p>
+
+<p>This timely supply not only met the immediate and
+urgent need of the day; for in the assured confidence that
+<span class="smcap">God</span>, whose we were and whom we served, would not put
+to shame those whose whole and only trust was in Himself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>.
+<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'my'">My</ins> marriage had been previously arranged to take place
+just fourteen days after this date. And this expectation
+was not disappointed; for "the mountains shall depart,
+and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart
+from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be
+removed." And although during subsequent years our
+faith was often exercised, and sometimes severely, He ever
+proved faithful to His promise, and never suffered us to
+lack any good thing.</p>
+
+<p>Never, perhaps, was there a union that more fully
+realised the blessed truth, "Whoso findeth a wife findeth
+a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>." My
+dear wife was not only a precious gift to me; <span class="smcap">God</span> blessed
+her to many others during the twelve eventful years
+through which she was spared to those that loved her and
+to China.</p>
+
+<p>Hers had been a life connection with missionary work
+in that great empire; for her father, the loved and devoted
+Samuel Dyer, was amongst the very earliest representatives
+of the London Mission in the East. He reached the Straits
+as early as 1827, and for sixteen years laboured assiduously
+amongst the Chinese in Penang and Singapore, completing
+at the same time a valuable fount of Chinese metallic type,
+the first of the kind that had then been attempted. Dying
+in 1843, it was never Mr. Dyers privilege to realise his
+hopes of ultimately being able to settle on Chinese soil;
+but his children lived to see the country opened to the
+Gospel, and to take their share in the great work that had
+been so dear to his heart. At the time of her marriage,
+my dear wife had been already living for several years in
+Ningpo with her friend, Miss Aldersey, in whose varied
+missionary operations she was well qualified to render
+valuable assistance.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a href="images/illus27-big.jpg"><img src="images/illus27.jpg" width="500" height="198" alt="A presentation banner (a mark of high respect)" title="A presentation banner (a mark of high respect)" /></a>
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+
+<h3>GOD A REFUGE FOR US</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>A SOMEWHAT different though not less manifest answer
+to prayer was vouchsafed early in the year 1859. My
+dear wife was brought very low by illness, and at last all
+hope of recovery seemed gone. Every remedy tried had
+proved unavailing; and Dr. Parker, who was in attendance,
+had nothing more to suggest. Life was ebbing fast away.
+The only ground of hope was that <span class="smcap">God</span> might yet see fit to
+raise her up, in answer to believing but submissive prayer.</div>
+
+<p>The afternoon for the usual prayer meeting among the
+missionaries had arrived, and I sent in a request for prayer,
+which was most warmly responded to. Just at this time a
+remedy that had not yet been tried was suggested to my
+mind, and I felt that I must hasten to consult Dr. Parker
+as to the propriety of using it. It was a moment of anguish.
+The hollow temples, sunken eyes, and pinched features
+denoted the near approach of death; and it seemed more
+than questionable as to whether life would hold out until
+my return. It was nearly two miles to Dr. Parker's house,
+and every moment appeared long. On my way thither,
+while wrestling mightily with <span class="smcap">God</span> in prayer, the precious
+words were brought with power to my soul, "Call upon Me
+in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shall
+glorify Me." I was at once enabled to plead them in faith,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>
+and the result was deep, deep, unspeakable peace and joy.
+All consciousness of distance was gone. Dr. Parker
+cordially approved of the use of the means suggested, but
+upon arriving at home I saw at a glance that the desired
+change had taken place in the absence of this or any other
+remedy. The pinched aspect of the countenance had given
+place to the calmness of tranquil slumber, and not one
+unfavourable symptom remained to retard recovery to health
+and strength.</p>
+
+<p>Spared thus in answer to prayer the loss of my own
+loved one, it was with added sympathy and sorrow that I
+felt for Dr. Parker, when, in the autumn of the same
+year, his own wife was very suddenly removed. It being
+necessary for the doctor to return at once with his motherless
+children to Glasgow, temporary arrangements had to
+be made for the conduct of the Mission Hospital in
+Ningpo, for which he alone had been responsible. Under
+these circumstances he requested me to take up the work,
+at least so far as the dispensary was concerned. After a
+few days' waiting upon the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> for guidance, I felt constrained
+to undertake not only the dispensary work, but also
+that of the hospital; relying solely upon the faithfulness of
+a prayer-hearing <span class="smcap">God</span> to furnish the means required for its
+support.</p>
+
+<p>The funds for the maintenance of the hospital had
+hitherto been supplied by the proceeds of the doctor's
+foreign medical practice; and with his departure these
+ceased. But had not <span class="smcap">God</span> said that whatever we ask in
+the Name of the <span class="smcap">Lord Jesus</span> shall be done? And are
+we not told to seek first the kingdom of <span class="smcap">God</span>, not means
+to advance it, and that all these things shall be added to
+us? Such promises were surely sufficient. Eight days
+before entering upon this responsibility I had not the
+remotest idea of ever doing so; still less could friends at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>
+home have anticipated it. But the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> had foreseen the
+need, and already funds were on the way to supply it.</p>
+
+<p>At times there were not less than fifty in-patients in the
+hospital, besides a large number who daily attended the
+out-patient department. Thirty beds were ordinarily allotted
+to free patients and their attendants; and about as
+many to opium-smokers, who paid for their board while
+being cured of the habit. As all the wants of the sick in
+the wards were supplied gratuitously, in addition to the
+remedial appliances needed for the out-patient work, the
+daily expenses were considerable; besides which, a number
+of native attendants were required, involving their support.</p>
+
+<p>When Dr. Parker handed the hospital over to me he
+was able to leave money that would meet the salaries and
+working expenses of the current month, and little more.
+Being unable to guarantee their support, his native staff
+retired; and then I mentioned the circumstances to the
+members of our little church, some of whom volunteered
+to help me, depending, like myself, upon the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>; and
+they with me continued to wait upon <span class="smcap">God</span> that in some
+way or other He would provide for His own work. Day
+by day the stores diminished, and they were all but exhausted
+when one day a remarkable letter reached me
+from a friend in England which contained a cheque for
+&pound;50. The letter stated that the sender had recently lost
+his father, and had inherited his property; that not desiring
+to increase his personal expenditure, he wished to hold
+the money which had now been left to him to further the
+<span class="smcap">Lord's</span> work. He enclosed the &pound;50, saying that I might
+know of some special need for it; but leaving me free to
+use it for my own support, or in any way that the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>
+might lead me; only asking to know how it was applied,
+and whether there was need for more.</p>
+
+<p>After a little season of thanksgiving with my dear wife,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>
+I called my native helpers into our little chapel, and translated
+to them the letter. I need not say how rejoiced they
+were, and that we together praised <span class="smcap">God</span>. They returned
+to their work in the hospital with overflowing hearts, and
+told out to the patients what a <span class="smcap">God</span> was ours; appealing
+to them whether their idols had ever helped them so.
+Both helpers and patients were blessed spiritually through
+this remarkable provision, and from that time the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>
+provided all that was necessary for carrying on the institution,
+in addition to what was needed for the maintenance
+of my own family, and for sustaining other branches of
+missionary work under my care. When, nine months
+later, I was obliged through failure of health to relinquish
+this charge, I was able to leave more funds in hand for
+the support of the hospital than were forthcoming at the
+time I undertook it.</p>
+
+<p>But not only were pecuniary supplies vouchsafed in
+answer to prayer&mdash;many lives were spared; persons apparently
+in hopeless stages of disease were restored, and
+success was given in cases of serious and dangerous
+operations. In the case of one poor man, whose legs
+were amputated under very unfavourable circumstances,
+healthy action took place with such rapidity that both
+wounds were healed in less than two weeks. And more
+permanent benefits than these were conferred. Many
+were convinced of the truth of Christianity; not a few
+sought the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> in faith and prayer, and experienced the
+power of the Great Physician to cure the sin-sick soul.
+During the nine months above alluded to sixteen patients
+from the hospital were baptized, and more than thirty
+others became candidates for admission into one or other
+of the Christian churches in the city.</p>
+
+<p>Thus the year 1860 began with openings on all hands,
+but time and strength were sadly too limited to admit of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>
+their being used to the best advantage. For some time
+the help of additional workers had been a much-felt need;
+and in January very definite prayer was made to the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>
+of the harvest that He would thrust forth more labourers
+into this special portion of the great world-field. Writing
+to relatives at home in England, under date of January
+16th, 1860, I thus expressed the deep longing of our
+hearts:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Do you know any earnest, devoted young men desirous
+of serving <span class="smcap">God</span> in China, who&mdash;not wishing for more than
+their actual support&mdash;would be willing to come out and
+labour here? Oh, for four or five such helpers! They
+would probably begin to preach in Chinese in six months
+time; and in answer to prayer the necessary means for
+their support would be found.</p></div>
+
+<p>But no one came to help us then; and under the
+incessant physical and mental strain involved, in the care
+of the hospital during Dr. Parker's absence, as well as the
+continued discharge of my other missionary duties, my
+own health began rapidly to fail, and it became a serious
+question as to whether it would not be needful to return
+to England for a time.</p>
+
+<p>It was hard to face this possibility. The growing
+church and work seemed to need our presence, and it was
+no small trial to part from those whom we had learned so
+truly to love in the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>. Thirty or forty native Christians
+had been gathered into the recently organised church;
+and the well-filled meetings, and the warm-hearted earnestness
+of the converts, all bespoke a future of much promise.
+At last, however, completely prostrated by repeated attacks
+of illness, the only hope of restoration seemed to lie in a
+voyage to England and a brief stay in its more bracing
+climate; and this necessity, painful though it seemed at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>
+the time, proved to be only another opportunity for the
+manifestation of the faithfulness and loving care of Him
+"who worketh all things after the counsel of His own
+will."</p>
+
+<p>As heretofore, the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> was present with His aid. The
+means for our journey were supplied, and that so liberally
+that we were able to bring with us a native Christian to
+assist in translation or other literary work, and to instruct
+in the language such helpers as the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> might raise up
+for the extension of the Mission. That He would give us
+fellow-labourers we had no doubt; for we had been
+enabled to seek them from Him in earnest and believing
+prayer for many months previously.</p>
+
+<p>The day before leaving China we wrote as follows to
+our friend W. T. Berger, Esq., whom we had known in
+England, and who had ever strengthened our hands in the
+<span class="smcap">Lord</span> while in that distant land:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"We are bringing with us a young Chinese brother to
+assist in literary work, and I hope also in teaching the
+dialect to those whom the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> may induce to return
+with us."</p>
+
+<p>And throughout the voyage our earnest cry to <span class="smcap">God</span> was
+that He would overrule our stay at home for good to
+China, and make it instrumental in raising up at least five
+helpers to labour in the province of <span class="smcap">Cheh-kiang</span>.</p>
+
+<p>The way in which it pleased the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> to answer these
+earnest and believing prayers, and the "exceeding abundantly"
+with which He crowned them, we shall now sketch
+in brief outline.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus28.jpg" width="500" height="232" alt="View on the Po-yang lake" title="View on the Po-yang lake" />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>A NEW AGENCY NEEDED</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your
+ways My ways, saith the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>. For as the
+heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher
+than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>
+How true are these words! When the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> is bringing
+in great blessing in the best possible way, how oftentimes
+our unbelieving hearts are feeling, if not saying, like Jacob
+of old, "All these things are against me." Or we are filled
+with fear, as were the disciples when the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>, walking on
+the waters, drew near to quiet the troubled sea, and to
+bring them quickly to their desired haven. And yet mere
+common-sense ought to tell us that He, whose way is perfect,
+<i>can</i> make no mistakes; that He who has promised to
+"perfect that which concerneth" us, and whose minute care
+counts the very hairs of our heads, and forms for us our
+circumstances, <i>must</i> know better than we the way to forward
+our truest interests and to glorify His own Name.</div>
+
+<div class='poem'><br />
+"Blind unbelief is <i>sure</i> to err<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And scan His work in vain;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><span class="smcap">God</span> is His own Interpreter,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And He will make it plain."</span><br />
+</div>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>To me it seemed a great calamity that failure of health
+compelled my relinquishing work for <span class="smcap">God</span> in China, just
+when it was more fruitful than ever before; and to leave
+the little band of Christians in Ningpo, needing much care
+and teaching, was a great sorrow. Nor was the sorrow
+lessened when, on reaching England, medical testimony
+assured me that return to China, at least for years to come,
+was impossible. Little did I then realise that the long
+separation from China was a necessary step towards the
+formation of a work which <span class="smcap">God</span> would bless as He has
+blessed the <span class="smcap">China Inland Mission</span>. While in the field,
+the pressure of claims immediately around me was so great
+that I could not think much of the still greater needs of the
+regions farther inland; and, if they were thought of, could
+do nothing for them. But while detained for some years in
+England, daily viewing the whole country on the large map
+on the wall of my study, I was as near to the vast regions
+of Inland China as to the smaller districts in which I had
+laboured personally for <span class="smcap">God</span>; and prayer was often the only
+resource by which the burdened heart could gain any
+relief.</p>
+
+<p>As a long absence from China appeared inevitable, the
+next question was how best to serve China while in England,
+and this led to my engaging for several years, with
+the late Rev. F. F. Gough of the C. M. S., in the revision of
+a version of the New Testament in the colloquial of Ningpo
+for the British and Foreign Bible Society. In undertaking
+this work, in my short-sightedness I saw nothing beyond
+the use that the Book, and the marginal references, would be
+to the native Christians; but I have often seen since that,
+without those months of feeding and feasting on the Word
+of <span class="smcap">God</span>, I should have been quite unprepared to form, on
+its present basis, a mission like the <span class="smcap">China Inland Mission</span>.</p>
+
+<p>In the study of that Divine Word I learned that, to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>
+obtain successful labourers, not elaborate appeals for help,
+but, <i>first</i>, earnest <i>prayer to <span class="smcap">God</span> to thrust forth labourers</i>,
+and, <i>second</i>, the deepening of the spiritual life of the
+church, so that <i>men should be unable to stay at home</i>, were
+what was needed. I saw that the Apostolic plan was not
+to raise ways and means, but <i>to go and do the work</i>, trusting
+in His sure Word who has said, "Seek ye <i>first</i> the Kingdom
+of <span class="smcap">God</span> and His righteousness, and all these things shall be
+added unto you."</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime the prayer for workers for <span class="smcap">Cheh-kiang</span>
+was being answered. The first, Mr. Meadows, sailed for
+China with his young wife in January 1862, through the
+kind co-operation and aid of our friend Mr. Berger. The
+second left England in 1864, having her passage provided
+by the Foreign Evangelisation Society. The third and
+fourth reached Ningpo on July 24th, 1865. A fifth soon
+followed them, reaching Ningpo in September 1865. Thus
+the prayer for the five workers was fully answered; and we
+were encouraged to look to <span class="smcap">God</span> for still greater things.</p>
+
+<p>Months of earnest prayer and not a few abortive efforts
+had resulted in a deep conviction that <i>a special agency was
+essential</i> for the evangelisation of Inland China. At this
+time I had not only the daily help of prayer and conference
+with my beloved friend and fellow-worker the late Rev. F.
+F. Gough, but also invaluable aid and counsel from Mr.
+and Mrs. Berger, with whom I and my dear wife (whose
+judgment and piety were of priceless value at this juncture)
+spent many days in prayerful deliberation. The grave
+difficulty of possibly interfering with existing missionary
+operations at home was foreseen; but it was concluded
+that, by simple trust in <span class="smcap">God</span>, suitable agency might be raised
+up and sustained without interfering injuriously with any
+existing work. I had also a growing conviction that <span class="smcap">God</span>
+would have <i>me</i> to seek from Him the needed workers, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>
+to go forth with them. But for a long time unbelief
+hindered my taking the first step.</p>
+
+<p>How inconsistent unbelief always is! I had no doubt
+that, if I prayed for workers, "<i>in</i> the Name" of the <span class="smcap">Lord
+Jesus Christ</span>, they would be given me. I had no doubt
+that, in answer to such prayer, the means for our going
+forth would be provided, and that doors would be opened
+before us in unreached parts of the Empire. But I had not
+then learned to trust <span class="smcap">God</span> for <i>keeping</i> power and grace for
+myself, so no wonder that I could not trust Him to keep
+others who might be prepared to go with me. I feared that
+in the midst of the dangers, difficulties, and trials which
+would necessarily be connected with such a work, some who
+were comparatively inexperienced Christians might break
+down, and bitterly reproach me for having encouraged them
+to undertake an enterprise for which they were unequal.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, what was I to do? The feeling of blood-guiltiness
+became more and more intense. Simply because I refused
+to ask for them, the labourers did not come forward&mdash;did
+not go out to China&mdash;and every day tens of thousands were
+passing away to Christless graves! Perishing China so
+filled my heart and mind that there was no rest by day,
+and little sleep by night, till health broke down. At the
+invitation of my beloved and honoured friend, Mr. George
+Pearse (then of the Stock Exchange), I went to spend a
+few days with him in Brighton.</p>
+
+<p>On Sunday, June 25th, 1865, unable to bear the sight
+of a congregation of a thousand or more Christian people
+rejoicing in their own security, while millions were perishing
+for lack of knowledge, I wandered out on the sands alone,
+in great spiritual agony; and there the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> conquered
+my unbelief, and I surrendered myself to <span class="smcap">God</span> for this
+service. I told Him that all the responsibility as to issues
+and consequences must rest with Him; that as His servant,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>
+it was mine to obey and to follow Him&mdash;His, to direct, to
+care for, and to guide me and those who might labour with
+me. Need I say that peace at once flowed into my burdened
+heart? There and then I asked Him for twenty-four
+fellow-workers, two for each of eleven inland provinces
+which were without a missionary, and two for Mongolia;
+and writing the petition on the margin of the Bible I had
+with me, I returned home with a heart enjoying rest such
+as it had been a stranger to for months, and with an assurance
+that the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> would bless His own work and that I
+should share in the blessing. I had previously prayed, and
+asked prayer, that workers might be raised up for the eleven
+then unoccupied provinces, and thrust forth and provided
+for, but had not surrendered myself to be their leader.</p>
+
+<p>About this time, with the help of my dear wife, I wrote
+the little book, <i>China's Spiritual Need and Claims</i>.
+Every paragraph was steeped in prayer. With the help of
+Mr. Berger, who had given valued aid in the revision of
+the manuscript, and who bore the expense of printing an
+edition of 3000 copies, they were soon put in circulation.
+I spoke publicly of the proposed work as opportunity permitted,
+specially at the Perth and Mildmay Conferences of
+1865, and continued in prayer for fellow-workers, who were
+soon raised up, and after due correspondence were invited
+to my home, then in the East of London. When one
+house became insufficient, the occupant of the adjoining
+house removed, and I was able to rent it; and when that
+in its turn became insufficient, further accommodation was
+provided close by. Soon there were a number of men and
+women under preparatory training, and engaging in evangelistic
+work which tested in some measure their qualifications
+as soul-winners.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus29.jpg" width="500" height="171" alt="A village on the grand canal" title="A village on the grand canal" />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+
+<h3>THE FORMATION OF THE C. I. M.</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>IT was thus that in the year 1865 the <span class="smcap">China Inland
+Mission</span> was organised; and the workers already in
+the field were incorporated into it. W. T. Berger, Esq.,
+then residing at Saint Hill, near East Grinstead, without
+whose help and encouragement I could not have gone
+forward, undertook the direction of the home department
+of the work during my anticipated absence in China; and
+I proposed, as soon as arrangements could be completed,
+to go out with the volunteers and take the direction of the
+work in the field. For the support of the workers already
+in China, our friends at home were sending in unsolicited
+contributions from time to time, and every need was met.</div>
+
+<p>We had now, however, to look forward to the outgoing
+of a party of sixteen or seventeen, and estimated that from
+&pound;1500 to &pound;2000 might be required to cover outfits,
+passage-money, and initial expenses. I wrote a little
+pamphlet, calling it "Occasional Paper, No. I." (intending
+in successive numbers to give to donors and friends
+accounts of the work wrought through us in China), and
+in that paper stated the anticipated needs for floating the
+enterprise. I expected that <span class="smcap">God</span> would incline the hearts of
+some of the readers to send contributions: I had determined
+never to use personal solicitation, or to make collections, or
+to issue collecting-books. Missionary-boxes were thought unobjectionable,
+and we had a few prepared for those who might
+ask for them, and have continued to use them ever since.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was February 6th, 1866, when I sent my manuscript
+of "Occasional Paper, No. I.," with a design for the cover,
+to the printer. From delays in engraving and printing,
+it was March 12th when the bales of pamphlets were
+delivered at my house. Now on February 6th a daily
+prayer-meeting, from 12 to 1 o'clock, had been commenced,
+to ask for the needed funds. And that we had
+not asked in vain, the following extract from "Occasional
+Paper, No. II." will show:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The receipts for 1864 were &pound;51:14s.; for 1865,
+from January to June, &pound;221:12:6, besides two free passages;
+from June to December, &pound;923:12:8. Hindrances
+having occurred, the MS. of the "Occasional Paper, No. I."
+was not completed till February 6th, 1866. Up to this
+time we had received (from December 30th) &pound;170:8:3.</p>
+
+<p>"We felt much encouraged by the receipt of so much
+money in little more than a month, as it was entirely unsolicited
+by us&mdash;save from <span class="smcap">God</span>. But it was also evident
+that we must ask the <span class="smcap">Lord</span> to do yet greater things for us,
+or it would be impossible for a party of from ten to sixteen
+to leave in the middle of May. <i>Daily united prayer was therefore
+offered to</i> <span class="smcap">God</span> for the funds needful for the outfits and
+passages of as many as He would have to go out in May.</p>
+
+<p>"Owing to the delays mentioned above in the printing of
+the 'Occasional Paper,' it was not ready for the publisher
+until March 12th. On this day I again examined my
+mission cash-book, and the comparison of the result of
+the two similar periods of one month and six days each,
+one before and one after special prayer for &pound;1500 to
+&pound;2000, was very striking:&mdash;</p>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='4'>"Receipts from December 30th to February 6th,</td><td align='right'>&pound;170</td><td align='right'>&nbsp;&nbsp;8</td><td align='right'>&nbsp;&nbsp;3</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"&nbsp; &nbsp; Feb. 6th to Mar. 12th</td><td align='right'>&pound;1774</td><td align='right'>&nbsp;&nbsp;5</td><td align='right'>&nbsp;&nbsp;11</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>"Funds advised, since received</td><td align='right'>200</td><td align='right'>&nbsp;&nbsp;0</td><td align='right'>&nbsp;&nbsp;0</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='right' colspan='3'>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</td><td align='right'>&pound;1974</td><td align='right'>&nbsp;&nbsp;5</td><td align='right'>&nbsp;&nbsp;11</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>"This, it will be noticed, was <i>previous</i> to the circulation
+of the 'Occasional Paper,' and, consequently, was not the
+result of it. It was the response of a faithful <span class="smcap">God</span> to the
+united prayers of those whom He had called to serve Him
+in the Gospel of His dear <span class="smcap">Son</span>.</p>
+
+<p>"We can now compare with these two periods a third of the
+same extent. From March 12th to April 18th the receipts
+were &pound;529, showing that when <span class="smcap">God</span> had supplied the
+special need, the special supply also ceased. Truly there is a
+<span class="smcap">Living God</span>, and <span class="smcap">He</span> is the hearer and answerer of prayer."</p>
+
+<p>But this gracious answer to prayer made it a little
+difficult to circulate "Occasional Paper, No. I.," for it
+stated as a need that which was already supplied. The
+difficulty was obviated by the issue with each copy of a
+coloured inset stating that the funds for outfit and passage
+were already in hand in answer to prayer. We were
+reminded of the difficulty of Moses&mdash;not a very common
+one in the present day&mdash;and of the proclamation he had
+to send through the camp to the people to prepare no
+more for the building of the Tabernacle, as the gifts in
+hand were already too much. We are convinced that if
+there were <i>less</i> solicitation for money and <i>more</i> dependence
+upon the power of the <span class="smcap">Holy Ghost</span> and upon the deepening
+of spiritual life, the experience of Moses would be a
+common one in every branch of Christian work.</p>
+
+<p>Preparations for sailing to China were at once proceeded
+with. About this time I was asked to give a lecture on
+China in a village not very far from London, and agreed to
+do so on condition that there should be no collection, and
+that this should be announced on the bills. The gentleman
+who invited me, and who kindly presided as chairman, said
+he had never had that condition imposed before. He accepted
+it, however, and the bills were issued accordingly for
+the 2nd or 3rd of May. With the aid of a large map, something<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>
+of the extent and population and deep spiritual need
+of China was presented, and many were evidently impressed.</p>
+
+<p>At the close of the meeting the chairman said that by
+my request it had been intimated on the bills that there
+would be no collection; but he felt that many present
+would be distressed and burdened if they had not the
+opportunity of contributing something towards the good
+work proposed. He trusted that as the proposition emanated
+entirely from himself, and expressed, he felt sure, the
+feelings of many in the audience, I should not object to it.
+I begged, however, that the condition agreed to might be
+carried out; pointing out among other reasons for making
+no collection, that the very reason adduced by our kind
+chairman was, to my mind, one of the strongest for not
+making it. My wish was, not that those present should be
+relieved by making such contribution as might there and
+then be convenient, under the influence of a present
+emotion; but that each one should go home burdened with
+the deep need of China, and ask of <span class="smcap">God</span> what He would
+have them to do. If, after thought and prayer, they were
+satisfied that a pecuniary contribution was what He wanted
+of them, it could be given to any Missionary Society having
+agents in China; or it might be posted to our London
+office; but that perhaps in many cases what <span class="smcap">God</span> wanted
+was <i>not</i> a money contribution, but personal consecration to
+His service abroad; or the giving up of son or daughter&mdash;more
+precious than silver or gold&mdash;to His service. I added
+that I thought the tendency of a collection was to leave the
+impression that the all-important thing was <i>money</i>, whereas
+no amount of money could convert a single soul; that what
+was needed was that men and women filled with the <span class="smcap">Holy
+Ghost</span> should give <i>themselves</i> to the work: for the support
+of such there would never be a lack of funds. As my wish
+was evidently very strong, the chairman kindly yielded to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>
+it, and closed the meeting. He told me, however, at the
+supper-table, that he thought it was a mistake on my part,
+and that, notwithstanding all I had said, a few persons had
+put some little contributions into his hands.</p>
+
+<p>Next morning at breakfast, my kind host came in a little
+late, and acknowledged to not having had a very good night.
+After breakfast he asked me to his study, and giving me
+the contributions handed to him the night before, said,
+"I thought last night, Mr. Taylor, that you were in the
+wrong about a collection; I am now convinced you were
+quite right. As I thought in the night of that stream of
+souls in China ever passing onward into the dark, I could
+only cry as you suggested, '<span class="smcap">Lord</span>, what wilt Thou have <i>me</i>
+to do?' I think I have obtained the guidance I sought,
+and here it is." He handed me a cheque for &pound;500,
+adding that if there had been a collection he would have
+given a few pounds to it, but now this cheque was the
+result of having spent no small part of the night in prayer.</p>
+
+<p>I need scarcely say how surprised and thankful I was
+for this gift. I had received at the breakfast-table a letter
+from Messrs. Killick, Martin and Co., shipping agents, in
+which they stated that they could offer us the whole
+passenger accommodation of the ship <i>Lammermuir</i>. I went
+direct to the ship, found it in every way suitable, and paid
+the cheque on account. As above stated, the funds
+deemed needed had been already in hand for some time;
+but the coincidence of the simultaneous offer of the ship
+accommodation and this munificent gift&mdash;<span class="smcap">God's</span> "exceeding
+abundantly"&mdash;greatly encouraged my heart.</p>
+
+<p>On the 26th of May we sailed for China in the <i>Lammermuir</i>,
+a missionary party of 16 (besides my four children and
+their nurse, and Miss Bausum (afterwards Mrs. Barchet<ins title="Transcriber's Note: This closing parenthesis missing in original">)</ins>); in
+all 22 passengers. Mr. Berger took charge of the home
+department, and thus the C. I. M. was fully inaugurated.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus30.jpg" width="500" height="215" alt="The battlements of Pekin" title="The battlements of Pekin" />
+</div>
+<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+
+<h3>THE MISSION IN 1894</h3>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>THE events sketched in the last two chapters have
+been more fully delineated by Miss Guinness in
+her interesting <i>Story of the China Inland Mission</i>, which
+continues its history to the present date. It is indeed
+a record of the goodness of <span class="smcap">God</span>, every remembrance of
+which calls for gratitude and praise. We can only here
+briefly mention a few facts, referring our readers to Miss
+Guinness's work for all details.</div>
+
+<p>After a voyage of many mercies the <i>Lammermuir</i> party
+safely reached China, and during the first ten years stations
+and out-stations were opened in many cities and towns in
+four provinces which hitherto had been unreached by the
+Gospel. At home Mr. and Mrs. Berger continued their
+devoted service until March 19th, 1872, I having returned
+to England the year before. Shortly after this the London
+Council was formed, which has now for several years been
+assisted by an auxiliary Council of ladies. A Scotch
+Council was also formed in Glasgow a few years ago.</p>
+
+<p>A visit to America in 1888 issued in the formation of
+the Council for North America, and a similar Council for
+Australasia was commenced in Melbourne two years later.
+In the field a China Council was organised in 1886, composed
+of senior missionaries who meet quarterly in Shanghai.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Closely associated with the C. I. M. are seven Committees&mdash;in
+England, Norway, Sweden (two), Finland, Germany, and
+the United States&mdash;which send out and support their own
+missionaries, who in China have the assistance of the
+educational and other advantages of the C. I. M., and
+who work under its direction.</p>
+
+<p>The staff of the Mission, in May 1893, consisted of
+552 missionaries (including wives and associates). There
+were also 326 native helpers (95 of whom were unpaid),
+working as pastors, evangelists, teachers, colporteurs, Bible-women,
+etc., in 14 different provinces.</p>
+
+<p>Duly qualified candidates for missionary labour are
+accepted without restriction as to denomination, provided
+they are sound in the faith in all fundamental truths:
+these go out in dependence upon <span class="smcap">God</span> for temporal supplies,
+with the clear understanding that the officers of the Mission
+do not guarantee any income whatever; and knowing that
+as they will not go into debt, they can only minister to
+them as the funds sent in from time to time will allow.
+But we praise <span class="smcap">God</span> that during the past twenty-eight years
+such ministry has always been possible; our <span class="smcap">God</span> <i>has</i>
+supplied all our need, and has withheld no good thing.</p>
+
+<p>All the expenses of the Mission at home and abroad
+are met by voluntary contributions, sent to the offices of
+the Mission without personal solicitation, by those who
+wish to aid in this effort to spread the knowledge of the
+Gospel throughout China. The income for the year 1892
+was about &pound;34,000 from all sources&mdash;Great Britain, the
+Continent of Europe, North America, Australasia, China,
+etc.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the missionaries having private property have
+gone out at their own expense, and do not take anything
+from the Mission funds.</p>
+
+<p>Stations have been opened in ten of the eleven provinces<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>
+which were previously without Protestant missionaries; from
+one of these, however, we have had to retire. The eleventh
+province has been visited several times, and it is hoped
+that in it permanent work may soon be begun.</p>
+
+<p>More than 200 stations and out-stations have been
+opened in fourteen of the eighteen provinces, in all of
+which stations either missionaries or native labourers are
+resident. Over 6000 converts have been baptized from
+the commencement, some 4000 of whom are now living
+and in fellowship.</p>
+
+
+<h3><br />THE MISSION IN 1902</h3>
+
+<p>The year 1894, in which the first edition of <i>A Retrospect</i>
+appeared, was marked by the erection of large and commodious
+premises for the work of the Mission, and early
+in the following year the houses in Pyrland Road, which
+had so long formed the home of the Mission in England,
+were vacated, and <span class="smcap">Newington Green, London, N.</span>, became
+the address of the Mission offices and home.</p>
+
+<p>From that date until the Boxer outbreak of 1900 the
+Mission made steady progress, the development of the work
+in China being accompanied by corresponding developments
+in the home departments of the Mission in England,
+America, and Australasia.</p>
+
+<p>In January 1900, before the Boxer outbreak, there were
+in connection with the Mission, 811 missionaries, including
+wives and associates; 171 stations; 223 out-stations; 387
+chapels; 581 paid native helpers; 193 unpaid native
+helpers; 8557 communicants in fellowship, 12,964 having
+been baptized from the commencement. There were 266
+organised churches; 788 boarding scholars; 1382 day
+scholars; 6 hospitals; 18 dispensaries; and 46 opium
+refuges.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>During the terrible year of 1900, when no fewer than
+135 missionaries and 53 missionaries' children and many
+thousands of Chinese Christians were cruelly murdered,
+the China Inland Mission lost 58 missionaries and 21
+children. The records of these unparalleled times of
+suffering have been told in <i>Martyred Missionaries of the
+China Inland Mission</i> and in <i>Last Letters</i>, both of which
+books will be found advertised at the end of this volume.
+Apart from loss of life, there was an immense amount of
+Mission property destroyed, and the missionaries were
+compelled to retire from their stations in most parts of
+China.</p>
+
+<p>The doors closed by this outbreak have all been reopened
+in the goodness of <span class="smcap">God</span>. In those districts which suffered
+most from the massacres the work has largely been one of
+reorganisation; but throughout China generally there has
+been a spirit of awakening and a time of enlarged opportunity;
+which is a loud call for more men and women to
+volunteer to step into the gaps and fill the places of those
+who have fallen.</p>
+
+<p>Among recent developments we would specially mention
+the opening of a new home centre at Philadelphia, U.S.A.
+The total income of the Mission for 1901 was &pound;53,633 =
+$257,712, and the total received in England alone, for 1902,
+was &pound;51,446 = $246,912. The total membership of the
+Mission in June 1902 was 761.</p>
+
+<p>Current information about the progress of the work in
+China may be obtained from <i>China's Millions</i>, the organ of
+the Mission. It is published monthly, and may be ordered
+through any bookseller from Messrs. Morgan and Scott, 12
+Paternoster Buildings, E.C., for 1s. per year, or direct by
+post from the offices of the Mission, Newington Green,
+London, N., for 1s. 6d. per annum.</p>
+
+<p>The Australasian edition of <i>China's Millions</i> may be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>
+ordered at the same price from M. L. Hutchinson, Little
+Collins Street, or from the Mission Offices, 267 Collins
+Street, Melbourne. The North American edition will be
+sent post free from the Mission Offices, 507 Church Street,
+Toronto, for 50 cents per annum.</p>
+
+<p>Prayer meetings on behalf of the work in China are
+held at the principal home centres of the Mission, as
+follows: Every Saturday afternoon from 4 to 6 o'clock, at
+Newington Green, London. Every Friday evening at 8
+o'clock, at 507 Church Street, Toronto. Every Saturday
+afternoon at 4 o'clock, in the Office, 267 Collins Street,
+Melbourne. A hearty invitation to attend any one of these
+meetings is given to any one residing in or visiting any of
+these cities.</p>
+
+<p>Donations to the Mission, applications from candidates,
+orders for literature, requests for deputation speakers, and
+other correspondence should be forwarded to</p>
+
+<p>
+The Secretary,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">China Inland Mission,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Newington Green, London, N.</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Home Director,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">China Inland Mission,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">507 Church Street, Toronto, Canada.</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<div class='unindent'>or</div>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">702 Witherspoon Buildings, Philadelphia, U.S.A.</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<div class='unindent'>or to</div>
+
+<p>
+The Secretary,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">China Inland Mission,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">267 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia.</span><br />
+</p>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class='center'><a name="map" id="map"></a><b>MAP OF CHINA</b><br /></div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Map caption">
+<tr><td align='left' rowspan='2' valign='middle'>Shewing</td><td align='left' rowspan='2' valign='middle' style="white-space: nowrap; font-size: 52pt;"> {</td><td align='left' valign='bottom'><div class='hang1'>1. All Protestant Mission Stations in China up to June 1866, when the C.I.M. was founded (they numbered fifteen) These are underlined in black.</div></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'>2. The Stations of the China Inland Mission which (with the exception of Ning-Po &amp; Fung-hwa) have been opened since June 1866. These are printed in red.</div></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<a href="images/map-big.jpg"><img src="images/map.jpg" width="500" height="447" alt="China" title="China" /></a>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/illus31.jpg" width="500" height="193" alt="Native woodcut of a landscape" title="Native woodcut of a landscape" />
+</div>
+<h2>STATIONS OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION</h2>
+
+<h3>1900</h3>
+
+<div class='center'>(BEFORE THE BOXER OUTBREAK)</div>
+
+
+<p>The best guide to the stations of the Mission is the new <i>China Inland Mission
+Map</i> (size 44 &times; 38 in., mounted on linen, coloured, varnished, and hung on rollers),
+price 8s. <i>net</i>, carriage and packing extra. Mounted to fold, 8s. <i>net</i>, post free.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Stations of the China Inland Mission">
+<tr><td align='center'>Provinces.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></td><td align='left'>Stations.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></td><td align='center'><span class="smcap">Work<br />Begun.</span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Kan-suh</b>, 1876</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Liang-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1888</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Si-ning</span></td><td align='left'>1885</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>LAN-CHAU</td><td align='left'>1885</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ts'in-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1878</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Area,<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> 125,450 square miles.</i></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Fu K'iang</span></td><td align='left'>1899</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Population, 9,285,377.</i></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">P'ing-liang</span></td><td align='left'>1895</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">King-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1895</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ts'ing-ning</span></td><td align='left'>1897</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Chen-yuen</td><td align='left'>1897</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Tong-chi</td><td align='left'>1899</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'><hr style="width: 100%;" /></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Shen-si</b>, 1876.</td><td align='left'>Lung-chau</td><td align='left'>1893</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Feng-tsiang</span></td><td align='left'>1888</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Mei-hien</td><td align='left'>1893</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">K'ien-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1894</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Area, 67,400 square miles.</i></td><td align='left'>Chau-chih</td><td align='left'>1893</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Population, 8,432,193.</i></td><td align='left'><i>Sang-kia-chuang</i></td><td align='left'>1894</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Hing-p'ing</td><td align='left'>1893</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>SI-GAN</td><td align='left'>1893</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>Ying-kia-wei</i></td><td align='left'>1893</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Chen-kia-hu</td><td align='left'>1897</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Lan-t'ien</td><td align='left'>1895</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>K'ien-yang</td><td align='left'>1897</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Ch'ang-wu</td><td align='left'>1897</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>San-shui</td><td align='left'>1897</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">T'ung-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1891</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Han-ch'eng</td><td align='left'>1897</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Han-chung</span></td><td align='left'>1879</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Ch'eng-ku</td><td align='left'>1887</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Si-hsiang</td><td align='left'>1896</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Yang-hien</td><td align='left'>1896</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Hing-an</span></td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'><hr style="width: 100%;" /></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Shan-si</b>, 1876</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ta-t'ung</span></td><td align='left'>1886</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Hwen-yuen</td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Soh-p'ing</span></td><td align='left'>1895</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Ts&ouml;-yuin</td><td align='left'>1895</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ying-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1897</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Hiao-i</td><td align='left'>1887</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Kiai-hiu</td><td align='left'>1891</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Sih-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1885</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Ta-ning</td><td align='left'>1885</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Kih-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1891</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Ho-tsin</td><td align='left'>1893</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Ping-yao</td><td align='left'>1888</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Area, 56,268 square miles.</i></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Hoh-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1886</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Population, 12,211,453.</i></td><td align='left'>Hung-t'ung</td><td align='left'>1886</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Yoh-yang</td><td align='left'>1896</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">P'ing-yang</span></td><td align='left'>1879</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>K'&uuml;h-wu</td><td align='left'>1885</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>I-sh&iuml;</td><td align='left'>1891</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Y&uuml;in-ch'eng</td><td align='left'>1888</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>Mei-ti-kiai</i></td><td align='left'>1895</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Hiai-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1895</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Lu-ch'eng</td><td align='left'>1889</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>&Uuml;-wu</i></td><td align='left'>1896</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Lu-gan</span></td><td align='left'>1889</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Kiang-chau</td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'><hr style="width: 100%;" /></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Chih-li</b>, 1887</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">T'ien-tsin</span></td><td align='left'>1888</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Area, 58,949 square miles.</i></td><td align='left'>PAO-T'ING</td><td align='left'>1891</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Population, 17,937,000.</i></td><td align='left'>Hwuy-luh</td><td align='left'>1887</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Shun-teh</span></td><td align='left'>1888</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'><hr style="width: 100%;" /></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Shan-tung</b>, 1879</td><td align='left'><i>Chefoo</i></td><td align='left'>1879</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;" &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sanatorium</td><td align='left'>1880</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;" &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Boys' School</td><td align='left'>1880</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Area, 53,762 square miles.</i></td><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;" &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Girls' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"</td><td align='left'>1884</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Population, 36,247,835.</i></td><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Preparatory School</td><td align='left'>1895</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>T'ung-shin</i></td><td align='left'>1889</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Ning-hai</td><td align='left'>1886</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'><hr style="width: 100%;" /></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Ho-nan</b>, 1875</td><td align='left'>Siang-ch'eng</td><td align='left'>1891</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>Chau-kia-k'eo</i></td><td align='left'>1884</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Ho-nan</i></span></td><td align='center'>...</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Ho-peh</i></span></td><td align='center'>...</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Ho-si</i></span></td><td align='center'>...</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Area, 66,913 square miles.</i></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ch'en-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1895</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Population, 22,115,827.</i></td><td align='left'>T'ai-k'ang</td><td align='left'>1895</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>She-k'i-tien</i></td><td align='left'>1886</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Kwang-chau</td><td align='left'>1899</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Hin-an</td><td align='left'>1899</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>King-ts&iuml;-kuan</i></td><td align='left'>1896</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'><hr style="width: 100%;" /></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>W. Si-ch'uan</b>, 1877</td><td align='left'>Kwan-hien</td><td align='left'>1889</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>CH'EN-TU</td><td align='left'>1881</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Kia-ting</span></td><td align='left'>1888</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Area of whole Province, 166,800 square miles.</i></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Sui-fu</span></td><td align='left'>1888</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Lu-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1890</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Hiao-sh&iuml;</td><td align='left'>1899</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ch'ung-k'ing</span></td><td align='left'>1877</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Ta-chien-lu</td><td align='left'>1897</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>E. Si-ch'uan</b>, 1886</td><td align='left'>Kwang-yuen</td><td align='left'>1889</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>Sin-tien-ts&iuml;</i></td><td align='left'>1892</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Pao-ning</span></td><td align='left'>1886</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Ying-shan</td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Population of whole Province, 67,712,897.</i></td><td align='left'>K&uuml;-hien</td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Shun-k'ing</span></td><td align='left'>1896</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Pa-chau</td><td align='left'>1887</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Sui-ting</span></td><td align='left'>1899</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Wan-hien</td><td align='left'>1888</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'><hr style="width: 100%;" /></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Hu-peh</b>, 1874</td><td align='left'><i>Lao-ho-k'eo</i></td><td align='left'>1887</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Area, 70,450 square miles.</i></td><td align='left'><i>Han-kow</i></td><td align='left'>1889</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span><i>Population, 34,244,685.</i></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">I-ch'ang</span></td><td align='left'>1895</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'><hr style="width: 100%;" /></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Gan-hwuy</b>, 1869</td><td align='left'>T'ai-ho</td><td align='left'>1892</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ving-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1897</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>Ch'eng-yang-kwan</i></td><td align='left'>1887</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>K'u-ch'eng</i></td><td align='left'>1887</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Fuh-hing-tsih (Lai-gan)</td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Luh-gan</span></td><td align='left'>1890</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>GAN-K'ING</td><td align='left'>1869</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Area, 48,461 square miles.</i></td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;">Training Home</span></td><td align='center'>...</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Population, 20,596,288.</i></td><td align='left'>Wu-hu</td><td align='left'>1893</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Kien-p'ing</td><td align='left'>1894</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ning-kwoh</span></td><td align='left'>1874</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Kwang-teh</span></td><td align='left'>1890</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ch'i-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1889</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Kien-teh</td><td align='left'>1892</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Hwuy-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1884</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'><hr style="width: 100%;" /></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Kiang-su</b>, 1854</td><td align='left'>Gan-tung</td><td align='left'>1891</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Ts'ing-kiang-pu</td><td align='left'>1869</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Kao-yiu</td><td align='left'>1888</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Yang-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1868</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;">Training Home</span></td><td align='center'>...</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Chin-kiang</span></td><td align='left'>1888</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Area, 44,500 square miles.</i></td><td align='left'>Shanghai</td><td align='left'>1854</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Population, 20,905,171.</i></td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;">Financial Department</span></td><td align='center'>...</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;">Business Department</span></td><td align='center'>...</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;">Home</span></td><td align='center'>...</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;">Hospital</span></td><td align='center'>...</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;">Evangelistic Work</span></td><td align='center'>...</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;">Literary Work</span></td><td align='center'>...</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'><hr style="width: 100%;" /></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Yun-nan</b>, 1877</td><td align='left'>Bh&acirc;mo (Upper Burmah)</td><td align='left'>1875</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Area, 107,969 square miles.</i></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ta-li</span></td><td align='left'>1881</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Population, 11,721,576.</i></td><td align='left'>YUN-NAN</td><td align='left'>1882</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">K'&uuml;h-ts'ing</span></td><td align='left'>1889</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'><hr style="width: 100%;" /></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Kwei-chau</b>, 1877</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Kwei-yang</span></td><td align='left'>1877</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Gan-shun</span></td><td align='left'>1888</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Area, 64,554 square miles.</i></td><td align='left'>Tuh-shan</td><td align='left'>1893</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Population, 7,669,181.</i></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Hing-i</span></td><td align='left'>1891</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;">(Work among Aborigines)</span></td><td align='center'>...</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>P'ang-hai</i></td><td align='left'>1897</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'><hr style="width: 100%;" /></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Hu-nan</b>, 1875</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ch'ang-teh</span></td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Area, 74,320 square miles</i>.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Shen-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Population, 21,002,604.</i></td><td align='left'>Ch'a-ling</td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'><hr style="width: 100%;" /></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Kiang-si</b>, 1869</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Kiu-kiang</span></td><td align='left'>1889</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Ku-ling Sanatorium</td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>Ta-ku-t'ang</i></td><td align='left'>1873</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Nan-k'ang</span></td><td align='left'>1887</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Gan-ren</td><td align='left'>1889</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Rao-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>Peh-kan</i></td><td align='left'>1893</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Kwei-k'i</td><td align='left'>1878</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>Shang-ts'ing</i></td><td align='left'>1893</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>H&uuml;-wan</td><td align='left'>1899</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Ih-yang</td><td align='left'>1890</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Area, 72,176 square miles.</i></td><td align='left'><i>Ho-k'eo</i></td><td align='left'>1878</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Population, 24,534,118.</i></td><td align='left'><i>Yang-k'eo</i></td><td align='left'>1890</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Kwang-feng</td><td align='left'>1889</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Yuh-shan</td><td align='left'>1877</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>Chang-shu</i></td><td align='left'>1895</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Kui-gan</span></td><td align='left'>1891</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>Feng-kang</i></td><td align='left'>1891</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Kan-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1899</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Sin-feng</td><td align='left'>1899</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Lin-kiang</span></td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>NAN-CH'ANG</td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Uen-chau</span> (<i>Itinerating</i>)</td><td align='center'>...</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Yung-sin</td><td align='left'>1899</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center' colspan='3'><hr style="width: 100%;" /></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Cheh-kiang</b>, 1857</td><td align='left'>HANG-CHAU</td><td align='left'>1866</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Shao-hing</span></td><td align='left'>1866</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Sin-ch'ang</td><td align='left'>1870</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Kiu-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1872</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Ch'ang-shan</td><td align='left'>1878</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Lan-k'i</td><td align='left'>1894</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Area, 39,150 square miles</i>.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Kin-hwa</span></td><td align='left'>1875</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Population, 11,588,692.</i></td><td align='left'>Yung-k'ang</td><td align='left'>1882</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Tseh-k'i</td><td align='left'>1897</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ch'u-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1875</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Lung-ch'uen</td><td align='left'>1894</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Uin-ho</td><td align='left'>1895</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Song-yang</td><td align='left'>1896</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><i>Siao-mei</i></td><td align='left'>1896</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Tsin-yun</td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ning-p'o</span></td><td align='left'>1857</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Fung-hwa</td><td align='left'>1866</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Ning-hai</td><td align='left'>1868</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>T'ien-t'ai</td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">T'ai-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1867</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Ling-he District</td><td align='center'>...</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Hwang-yen</td><td align='left'>1896</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>T'ai-p'ing</td><td align='left'>1898</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Wun-chau</span></td><td align='left'>1867</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>Bing-yae</td><td align='left'>1874</td></tr>
+</table><br /><br /><br /></div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;">
+<a href="images/illus32-big.jpg"><img src="images/illus32.jpg" width="400" height="260" alt="Elder Liu and wife, Kwei-k&#39;i" title="Elder Liu and wife, Kwei-k&#39;i" /></a>
+</div>
+
+<div class='center'><br /><br /><br /><br /><small><i>Printed by</i> <span class="smcap">R. &amp; R. Clark, Limited</span>, <i>Edinburgh.</i></small></div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Since the above was written Mr. George Pearse has died.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> For words and music see the end of this chapter.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Isaiah lv. 8, 9.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Arranged in three lines from west to east, for easy reference to Map. The dates
+in this column in many cases are of itinerations begun.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Capitals of Provinces in capital letters; of Prefectures in small capitals; and of
+Counties in romans; Market Towns in italics.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> Areas and populations are from <i>The Statesman's Year Book</i>.</p></div>
+</div>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;">
+<img src="images/backemblem.jpg" width="250" height="258" alt="CIM Emblem" title="CIM Emblem" />
+</div>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3>
+<p>Certain images are linked to larger versions to aid in closer views of faces or Chinese characters.
+The first of these linked images is the <a href="#contents">Lammuir Party</a>. The remaining linked images are found on pages
+<a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, and <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, as well as the <a href="#map">map</a>.</p>
+<p>Inconsistencies in spelling of Chinese names were retained such as Bhâmo and Bhamô.</p>
+<p>Corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p></div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Retrospect, by James Hudson Taylor
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+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #26744 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26744)
diff --git a/old/26744-8.txt b/old/26744-8.txt
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Retrospect, by James Hudson Taylor
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: A Retrospect
+
+Author: James Hudson Taylor
+
+Release Date: October 1, 2008 [EBook #26744]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A RETROSPECT ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Free Elf, Emmy and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net Music files created
+by Linda Cantoni.(This file was produced from images
+generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian
+Libraries) Full-color map generously provided by The
+Missionary E-texts Archive at
+http://www.missionaryetexts.org
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Signature: J. Hudson Taylor.]
+
+
+
+
+A RETROSPECT
+
+BY
+
+J. HUDSON TAYLOR, M.R.C.S., F.R.G.S.
+
+_Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee._
+
+THIRD EDITION
+
+          TORONTO
+          CHINA INLAND MISSION
+          507 CHURCH STREET
+
+[Illustration: THE "LAMMERMUIR" PARTY. _See page 125._]
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+  CHAP.                                           PAGE
+      I. THE POWER OF PRAYER                         1
+     II. THE CALL TO SERVICE                         7
+    III. PREPARATION FOR SERVICE                    13
+     IV. FURTHER ANSWERS TO PRAYER                  19
+      V. LIFE IN LONDON                             24
+     VI. STRENGTHENED BY FAITH                      30
+    VII. MIGHTY TO SAVE                             35
+   VIII. VOYAGE TO CHINA                            39
+     IX. EARLY MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES               45
+      X. FIRST EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS                 49
+     XI. WITH THE REV. W. C. BURNS                  57
+    XII. THE CALL TO SWATOW                         70
+           "The Missionary Call": Words and Music   75
+   XIII. MAN PROPOSES, GOD DISPOSES                 77
+    XIV. PROVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE                      92
+     XV. SETTLEMENT IN NINGPO                       98
+    XVI. TIMELY SUPPLIES                           105
+   XVII. GOD A REFUGE FOR US                       110
+  XVIII. A NEW AGENCY NEEDED                       116
+    XIX. FORMATION OF THE C. I. M.                 121
+     XX. THE MISSION IN 1894                       126
+         THE MISSION IN 1902                       128
+  STATIONS OF THE C. I. M.                         131
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+                        MAP OF CHINA
+
+  SHOWING THE STATIONS OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION:
+    CORRECTED TO JUNE 1900          _To face page_ 131
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+   1. Portrait of J. Hudson Taylor             _Frontispiece_
+   2. The "Lammermuir" party              _Facing "Contents"_
+                                                         PAGE
+   3. Honorary banner presented to a missionary             1
+   4. A heavy road in North China                           7
+   5. Salt junk on the Yang-tsi                            13
+   6. Travelling by mule cart on "the great plain"         19
+   7. Ch'ung-k'ing, the Yang-tsi, and mountains beyond     24
+   8. Water gate and Custom house, Soo-chow                29
+   9. View on the Kwang-sin River                          30
+  10. Temple and memorial portal                           34
+  11. "Compassionate heart, benevolent methods"            35
+  12. Outside the wall of Gan-k'ing                        38
+  13. The new girls school at Chefoo                       39
+  14. Entrance to the Po-yang lake                         44
+  15. A fair wind, at sunset, on the lake                  45
+  16. A view on the grand canal                            49
+  17. Down the Yang-tsi on a cargo boat                    57
+  18. East gate and sentry box, Bhamô, Burmah              69
+  19. Farmhouse, with buffalo shed attached                70
+  20. A fishing village on the lake near Yünnan Fu         77
+  21. Teng-yueh, the westernmost walled city in China      91
+  22. A small temple near Wun-chau                         92
+  23. Group of Christians at Lan-k'i, Cheh-kiang           97
+  24. A boat on the Red River, Tonquin                     98
+  25. Students' quarters, Gan-k'ing Training Home         104
+  26. A Mandarin's sedan chair                            105
+  27. A presentation banner (a mark of high respect)      110
+  28. View on the Po-yang lake                            116
+  29. A village on the grand canal                        121
+  30. The battlements of Pekin                            126
+  31. Native woodcut of a landscape                       131
+  32. Elder Liu and wife, Kwei-k'i                        136
+
+        The hearty thanks of the Mission for the use of
+          photographs and sketches are hereby tendered to
+          Rev. George Hayes for Nos. 4 and 6; Dr. G.
+          Whitfield Guinness for Nos. 8, 12, 16, 25, and 28;
+          Miss Davies for No. 23; Mr. Thomas Selkirk for
+          Nos. 18 and 21; Mr. J. T. Reid for Nos. 14, 15,
+          and 27; Mr. J. S. Rough for No. 30; Mr. Grainger
+          for No. 19; Mr. E. Murray for No. 13, and also to
+          other friends unknown by name.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE POWER OF PRAYER
+
+
+THE following account of some of the experiences which eventually led to
+the formation of the CHINA INLAND MISSION, and to its taking the form in
+which it has been developed, first appeared in the pages of _China's
+Millions_. Many of those who read it there asked that it might appear in
+separate form. Miss Guinness incorporated it in the _Story of the China
+Inland Mission_, a record which contained the account of GOD'S goodness
+to the beginning of 1894. But friends still asking for it in pamphlet
+form, for wider distribution, this edition is brought out.
+
+Much of the material was taken from notes of addresses given in China
+during a conference of our missionaries; this will account for the
+direct and narrative form of the papers, which it has not been thought
+necessary to change.
+
+It is always helpful to us to fix our attention on the GOD-ward aspect
+of Christian work; to realise that the work of GOD does not mean so much
+man's work for GOD, as GOD'S own work through man. Furthermore, in our
+privileged position of fellow-workers with Him, while fully recognising
+all the benefits and blessings to be bestowed on a sin-stricken world
+through the proclamation of the Gospel and spread of the Truth, we
+should never lose sight of the higher aspect of our work--that of
+obedience to GOD, of bringing glory to His Name, of gladdening the
+heart of our GOD and FATHER by living and serving as His beloved
+children.
+
+Many circumstances connected with my own early life and service
+presented this aspect of work vividly to me; and as I think of some of
+them, I am reminded of how much the cause of missions is indebted to
+many who are never themselves permitted to see the mission field--many,
+it may be, who are unable to give largely of their substance, and who
+will be not a little surprised in the Great Day to see how much the work
+has been advanced by their love, their sympathy, and their prayers.
+
+For myself, and for the work that I have been permitted to do for GOD, I
+owe an unspeakable debt of gratitude to my beloved and honoured parents,
+who have passed away and entered into rest, but the influence of whose
+lives will never pass away.
+
+Many years ago, probably about 1830, the heart of my dear father, then
+himself an earnest and successful evangelist at home, was deeply stirred
+as to the spiritual state of China by reading several books, and
+especially an account of the travels of Captain Basil Hall. His
+circumstances were such as to preclude the hope of his ever going to
+China for personal service, but he was led to pray that if GOD should
+give him a son, he might be called and privileged to labour in the vast
+needy empire which was then apparently so sealed against the truth. I
+was not aware of this desire or prayer myself until my return to
+England, more than seven years after I had sailed for China; but it was
+very interesting then to know how prayer offered before my birth had
+been answered in this matter.
+
+All thought of my becoming a missionary was abandoned for many years by
+my dear parents on account of the feebleness of my health. When the
+time came, however, GOD gave increased health, and my life has been
+spared, and strength has been given for not a little toilsome service
+both in the mission field and at home, while many stronger men and women
+have succumbed.
+
+I had many opportunities in early years of learning the value of prayer
+and of the Word of GOD; for it was the delight of my dear parents to
+point out that if there were any such Being as GOD, to trust Him, to
+obey Him, and to be fully given up to His service, must of necessity be
+the best and wisest course both for myself and others. But in spite of
+these helpful examples and precepts my heart was unchanged. Often I had
+tried to make myself a Christian; and failing of course in such efforts,
+I began at last to think that for some reason or other I could not be
+saved, and that the best I could do was to take my fill of this world,
+as there was no hope for me beyond the grave.
+
+While in this state of mind I came in contact with persons holding
+sceptical and infidel views, and accepted their teaching, only too
+thankful for some hope of escape from the doom which, if my parents were
+right and the Bible true, awaited the impenitent. It may seem strange to
+say it, but I have often felt thankful for the experience of this time
+of scepticism. The inconsistencies of Christian people, who while
+professing to believe their Bibles were yet content to live just as they
+would if there were no such book, had been one of the strongest
+arguments of my sceptical companions; and I frequently felt at that
+time, and said, that if I pretended to believe the Bible I would at any
+rate attempt to live by it, putting it fairly to the test, and if it
+failed to prove true and reliable, would throw it overboard altogether.
+These views I retained when the LORD was pleased to bring me to
+Himself; and I think I may say that since then I _have_ put GOD'S Word
+to the test. Certainly it has never failed me. I have never had reason
+to regret the confidence I have placed in its promises, or to deplore
+following the guidance I have found in its directions.
+
+Let me tell you how GOD answered the prayers of my dear mother and of my
+beloved sister, now Mrs. Broomhall, for my conversion. On a day which I
+shall never forget, when I was about fifteen years of age, my dear
+mother being absent from home, I had a holiday, and in the afternoon
+looked through my father's library to find some book with which to while
+away the unoccupied hours. Nothing attracting me, I turned over a little
+basket of pamphlets, and selected from amongst them a Gospel tract which
+looked interesting, saying to myself, "There will be a story at the
+commencement, and a sermon or moral at the close: I will take the former
+and leave the latter for those who like it."
+
+I sat down to read the little book in an utterly unconcerned state of
+mind, believing indeed at the time that if there were any salvation it
+was not for me, and with a distinct intention to put away the tract as
+soon as it should seem prosy. I may say that it was not uncommon in
+those days to call conversion "becoming serious"; and judging by the
+faces of some of its professors, it appeared to be a very serious matter
+indeed. Would it not be well if the people of GOD had always tell-tale
+faces, evincing the blessings and gladness of salvation so clearly that
+unconverted people might have to call conversion "becoming joyful"
+instead of "becoming serious"?
+
+Little did I know at the time what was going on in the heart of my dear
+mother, seventy or eighty miles away. She rose from the dinner-table
+that afternoon with an intense yearning for the conversion of her boy,
+and feeling that--absent from home, and having more leisure than she
+could otherwise secure--a special opportunity was afforded her of
+pleading with GOD on my behalf. She went to her room and turned the key
+in the door, resolved not to leave that spot until her prayers were
+answered. Hour after hour did that dear mother plead for me, until at
+length she could pray no longer, but was constrained to praise GOD for
+that which His SPIRIT taught her had already been accomplished--the
+conversion of her only son.
+
+I in the meantime had been led in the way I have mentioned to take up
+this little tract, and while reading it was struck with the sentence,
+"The finished work of CHRIST." The thought passed through my mind, "Why
+does the author use this expression? why not say the atoning or
+propitiatory work of CHRIST?" Immediately the words "It is finished"
+suggested themselves to my mind. What was finished? And I at once
+replied, "A full and perfect atonement and satisfaction for sin: the
+debt was paid by the Substitute; CHRIST died for our sins, and not for
+ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Then came the
+thought, "If the whole work was finished and the whole debt paid, what
+is there left for me to do?" And with this dawned the joyful conviction,
+as light was flashed into my soul by the HOLY SPIRIT, that there was
+nothing in the world to be done but to fall down on one's knees, and
+accepting this SAVIOUR and His salvation, to praise Him for evermore.
+Thus while my dear mother was praising GOD on her knees in her chamber,
+I was praising Him in the old warehouse to which I had gone alone to
+read at my leisure this little book.
+
+Several days elapsed ere I ventured to make my beloved sister the
+confidante of my joy, and then only after she had promised not to tell
+any one of my soul secret. When our dear mother came home a fortnight
+later, I was the first to meet her at the door, and to tell her I had
+such glad news to give. I can almost feel that dear mother's arms around
+my neck, as she pressed me to her bosom and said, "I know, my boy; I
+have been rejoicing for a fortnight in the glad tidings you have to tell
+me." "Why," I asked in surprise, "has Amelia broken her promise? She
+said she would tell no one." My dear mother assured me that it was not
+from any human source that she had learned the tidings, and went on to
+tell the little incident mentioned above. You will agree with me that it
+would be strange indeed if I were not a believer in the power of prayer.
+
+Nor was this all. Some little time after, I picked up a pocket-book
+exactly like one of my own, and thinking that it was mine, opened it.
+The lines that caught my eye were an entry in the little diary, which
+belonged to my sister, to the effect that she would give herself daily
+to prayer until GOD should answer in the conversion of her brother.
+Exactly one month later the LORD was pleased to turn me from darkness to
+light.
+
+Brought up in such a circle and saved under such circumstances, it was
+perhaps natural that from the commencement of my Christian life I was
+led to feel that the promises were very real, and that prayer was in
+sober matter of fact transacting business with GOD, whether on one's own
+behalf or on behalf of those for whom one sought His blessing.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE CALL TO SERVICE
+
+
+THE first joys of conversion passed away after a time, and were
+succeeded by a period of painful deadness of soul, with much conflict.
+But this also came to an end, leaving a deepened sense of personal
+weakness and dependence on the LORD as the only KEEPER as well as
+SAVIOUR of His people. How sweet to the soul, wearied and disappointed
+in its struggles with sin, is the calm repose of trust in the SHEPHERD
+of Israel.
+
+Not many months after my conversion, having a leisure afternoon, I
+retired to my own chamber to spend it largely in communion with GOD.
+Well do I remember that occasion. How in the gladness of my heart I
+poured out my soul before GOD; and again and again confessing my
+grateful love to Him who had done everything for me--who had saved me
+when I had given up all hope and even desire for salvation--I besought
+Him to give me some work to do for Him, as an outlet for love and
+gratitude; some self-denying service, no matter what it might be,
+however trying or however trivial; something with which He would be
+pleased, and that I might do for Him who had done so much for me. Well
+do I remember, as in unreserved consecration I put myself, my life, my
+friends, my all, upon the altar, the deep solemnity that came over my
+soul with the assurance that my offering was accepted. The presence of
+GOD became unutterably real and blessed; and though but a child under
+sixteen, I remember stretching myself on the ground, and lying there
+silent before Him with unspeakable awe and unspeakable joy.
+
+For what service I was accepted I knew not; but a deep consciousness
+that I was no longer my own took possession of me, which has never since
+been effaced. It has been a very practical consciousness. Two or three
+years later propositions of an unusually favourable nature were made to
+me with regard to medical study, on the condition of my becoming
+apprenticed to the medical man who was my friend and teacher. But I felt
+I dared not accept any binding engagement such as was suggested. I was
+not my own to give myself away; for I knew not when or how He whose
+alone I was, and for whose disposal I felt I must ever keep myself free,
+might call for service.
+
+Within a few months of this time of consecration the impression was
+wrought into my soul that it was in China the LORD wanted me. It seemed
+to me highly probable that the work to which I was thus called might
+cost my life; for China was not then open as it is now. But few
+missionary societies had at that time workers in China, and but few
+books on the subject of China missions were accessible to me. I learned,
+however, that the Congregational minister of my native town possessed a
+copy of Medhurst's _China_, and I called upon him to ask a loan of the
+book. This he kindly granted, asking me why I wished to read it. I told
+him that GOD had called me to spend my life in missionary service in
+that land. "And how do you propose to go there?" he inquired. I answered
+that I did not at all know; that it seemed to me probable that I should
+need to do as the Twelve and the Seventy had done in Judæa--go without
+purse or scrip, relying on Him who had called me to supply all my need.
+Kindly placing his hand upon my shoulder, the minister replied, "Ah, my
+boy, as you grow older you will get wiser than that. Such an idea would
+do very well in the days when CHRIST Himself was on earth, but not now."
+
+I have grown older since then, but not wiser. I am more than ever
+convinced that if we were to take the directions of our MASTER and the
+assurances He gave to His first disciples more fully as our guide, we
+should find them to be just as suited to our times as to those in which
+they were originally given.
+
+Medhurst's book on China emphasised the value of medical missions there,
+and this directed my attention to medical studies as a valuable mode of
+preparation.
+
+My beloved parents neither discouraged nor encouraged my desire to
+engage in missionary work. They advised me, with such convictions, to
+use all the means in my power to develop the resources of body, mind,
+heart, and soul, and to wait prayerfully upon GOD, quite willing, should
+He show me that I was mistaken, to follow His guidance, or to go forward
+if in due time He should open the way to missionary service. The
+importance of this advice I have often since had occasion to prove. I
+began to take more exercise in the open air to strengthen my physique.
+My feather bed I had taken away, and sought to dispense with as many
+other home comforts as I could, in order to prepare myself for rougher
+lines of life. I began also to do what Christian work was in my power,
+in the way of tract distribution, Sunday-school teaching, and visiting
+the poor and sick, as opportunity afforded.
+
+After a time of preparatory study at home, I went to Hull for medical
+and surgical training. There I became assistant to a doctor who was
+connected with the Hull school of medicine, and was surgeon also to a
+number of factories, which brought many accident cases to our
+dispensary, and gave me the opportunity of seeing and practising the
+minor operations of surgery.
+
+And here an event took place that I must not omit to mention. Before
+leaving home my attention was drawn to the subject of setting apart the
+firstfruits of all one's increase and a proportionate part of one's
+possessions to the LORD'S service. I thought it well to study the
+question with my Bible in hand before I went away from home, and was
+placed in circumstances which might bias my conclusions by the pressure
+of surrounding wants and cares. I was thus led to the determination to
+set apart not less than one-tenth of whatever moneys I might earn or
+become possessed of for the LORD'S service. The salary I received as
+medical assistant in Hull at the time now referred to would have allowed
+me with ease to do this. But owing to changes in the family of my kind
+friend and employer, it was necessary for me to reside out of doors.
+Comfortable quarters were secured with a relative, and in addition to
+the sum determined on as remuneration for my services I received the
+exact amount I had to pay for board and lodging.
+
+Now arose in my mind the question, Ought not this sum also to be tithed?
+It was surely a part of my income, and I felt that if it had been a
+question of Government income tax it certainly would not have been
+excluded. On the other hand, to take a tithe from the whole would not
+leave me sufficient for other purposes; and for some little time I was
+much embarrassed to know what to do. After much thought and prayer I was
+led to leave the comfortable quarters and happy circle in which I was
+now residing, and to engage a little lodging in the suburbs--a
+sitting-room and bedroom in one--undertaking to board myself. In this
+way I was able without difficulty to tithe the whole of my income; and
+while I felt the change a good deal, it was attended with no small
+blessing.
+
+More time was given in my solitude to the study of the Word of GOD, to
+visiting the poor, and to evangelistic work on summer evenings than
+would otherwise have been the case. Brought into contact in this way
+with many who were in distress, I soon saw the privilege of still
+further economising, and found it not difficult to give away much more
+than the proportion of my income I had at first intended.
+
+About this time a friend drew my attention to the question of the
+personal and pre-millennial coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and gave me
+a list of passages bearing upon it, without note or comment, advising me
+to ponder the subject. For a while I gave much time to studying the
+Scriptures about it, with the result that I was led to see that this
+same JESUS who left our earth in His resurrection body was so to come
+again, that His feet were to stand on the Mount of Olives, and that He
+was to take possession of the temporal throne of His father David which
+was promised before His birth. I saw, further, that all through the New
+Testament the coming of the LORD was the great hope of His people, and
+was always appealed to as the strongest motive for consecration and
+service, and as the greatest comfort in trial and affliction. I learned,
+too, that the period of His return for His people was not revealed, and
+that it was their privilege, from day to day and from hour to hour, to
+live as men who wait for the LORD; that thus living it was immaterial,
+so to speak, whether He should or should not come at any particular
+hour, the important thing being to be so ready for Him as to be able,
+whenever He might appear, to give an account of one's stewardship with
+joy, and not with grief.
+
+The effect of this blessed hope was a thoroughly practical one. It led
+me to look carefully through my little library to see if there were any
+books there that were not needed or likely to be of further service, and
+to examine my small wardrobe, to be quite sure that it contained nothing
+that I should be sorry to give an account of should the MASTER come at
+once. The result was that the library was considerably diminished, to
+the benefit of some poor neighbours, and to the far greater benefit of
+my own and that I found I had articles of clothing also which might be
+put to better advantage in other directions.
+
+It has been very helpful to me from time to time through life, as
+occasion has served, to act again in a similar way; and I have never
+gone through my house, from basement to attic, with this object in view,
+without receiving a great accession of spiritual joy and blessing. I
+believe we are all in danger of accumulating--it may be from
+thoughtlessness, or from pressure of occupation--things which would be
+useful to others, while not needed by ourselves, and the retention of
+which entails loss of blessing. If the whole resources of the Church of
+GOD were well utilised, how much more might be accomplished! How many
+poor might be fed and naked clothed, and to how many of those as yet
+unreached the Gospel might be carried! Let me advise this line of things
+as a constant habit of mind, and a profitable course to be practically
+adopted whenever circumstances permit.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+PREPARATION FOR SERVICE
+
+
+HAVING now the twofold object in view of accustoming myself to endure
+hardness, and of economising in order to be able more largely to assist
+those amongst whom I spent a good deal of time labouring in the Gospel,
+I soon found that I could live upon very much less than I had previously
+thought possible. Butter, milk, and other such luxuries I soon ceased to
+use; and I found that by living mainly on oatmeal and rice, with
+occasional variations, a very small sum was sufficient for my needs. In
+this way I had more than two-thirds of my income available for other
+purposes; and my experience was that the less I spent on myself and the
+more I gave away, the fuller of happiness and blessing did my soul
+become. Unspeakable joy all the day long, and every day, was my happy
+experience. GOD, even my GOD, was a living, bright Reality; and all I
+had to do was joyful service.
+
+It was to me a very grave matter, however, to contemplate going out to
+China, far away from all human aid, there to depend upon the living GOD
+alone for protection, supplies, and help of every kind. I felt that
+one's spiritual muscles required strengthening for such an undertaking.
+There was no doubt that if faith did not fail, GOD would not fail; but,
+then, what if one's faith should prove insufficient? I had not at that
+time learned that even "if we believe not, He abideth faithful, He
+cannot deny Himself"; and it was consequently a very serious question to
+my mind, not whether _He_ was faithful, but whether I had strong enough
+faith to warrant my embarking in the enterprise set before me.
+
+I thought to myself, "When I get out to China, I shall have no claim on
+any one for anything; my only claim will be on GOD. How important,
+therefore, to learn before leaving England to move man, through GOD, by
+prayer alone."
+
+At Hull my kind employer, always busily occupied, wished me to remind
+him whenever my salary became due. This I determined not to do directly,
+but to ask that GOD would bring the fact to his recollection, and thus
+encourage me by answering prayer. At one time, as the day drew near for
+the payment of a quarter's salary, I was as usual much in prayer about
+it. The time arrived, but my kind friend made no allusion to the matter.
+I continued praying, and days passed on, but he did not remember, until
+at length, on settling up my weekly accounts one Saturday night, I found
+myself possessed of only a single coin--one half-crown piece. Still I
+had hitherto had no lack, and I continued in prayer.
+
+That Sunday was a very happy one. As usual my heart was full and
+brimming over with blessing. After attending Divine service in the
+morning, my afternoons and evenings were filled with Gospel work, in the
+various lodging-houses I was accustomed to visit in the lowest part of
+the town. At such times it almost seemed to me as if heaven were begun
+below, and that all that could be looked for was an enlargement of one's
+capacity for joy, not a truer filling than I possessed. After concluding
+my last service about ten o'clock that night, a poor man asked me to go
+and pray with his wife, saying that she was dying. I readily agreed, and
+on the way to his house asked him why he had not sent for the priest, as
+his accent told me he was an Irishman. He had done so, he said, but the
+priest refused to come without a payment of eighteenpence, which the man
+did not possess, as the family was starving. Immediately it occurred to
+my mind that all the money I had in the world was the solitary
+half-crown, and that it was in one coin; moreover, that while the basin
+of water gruel I usually took for supper was awaiting me, and there was
+sufficient in the house for breakfast in the morning, I certainly had
+nothing for dinner on the coming day.
+
+Somehow or other there was at once a stoppage in the flow of joy in my
+heart; but instead of reproving myself I began to reprove the poor man,
+telling him that it was very wrong to have allowed matters to get into
+such a state as he described, and that he ought to have applied to the
+relieving officer. His answer was that he had done so, and was told to
+come at eleven o'clock the next morning, but that he feared that his
+wife might not live through the night. "Ah," thought I, "if only I had
+two shillings and a sixpence instead of this half-crown, how gladly
+would I give these poor people one shilling of it!" But to part with the
+half-crown was far from my thoughts. I little dreamed that the real
+truth of the matter simply was that I could trust in GOD plus
+one-and-sixpence, but was not yet prepared to trust Him only, without
+any money at all in my pocket.
+
+My conductor led me into a court, down which I followed him with some
+degree of nervousness. I had found myself there before, and at my last
+visit had been very roughly handled, while my tracts were torn to
+pieces, and I received such a warning not to come again that I felt
+more than a little concerned. Still, it was the path of duty, and I
+followed on. Up a miserable flight of stairs, into a wretched room, he
+led me; and oh what a sight there presented itself to our eyes! Four or
+five poor children stood about, their sunken cheeks and temples all
+telling unmistakably the story of slow starvation; and lying on a
+wretched pallet was a poor exhausted mother, with a tiny infant
+thirty-six hours old, moaning rather than crying at her side, for it too
+seemed spent and failing. "Ah!" thought I, "if I had two shillings and a
+sixpence instead of half-a-crown, how gladly should they have
+one-and-sixpence of it!" But still a wretched unbelief prevented me from
+obeying the impulse to relieve their distress at the cost of all I
+possessed.
+
+It will scarcely seem strange that I was unable to say much to comfort
+these poor people. I needed comfort myself. I began to tell them,
+however, that they must not be cast down, that though their
+circumstances were very distressing, there was a kind and loving FATHER
+in heaven; but something within me said, "You hypocrite! telling these
+unconverted people about a kind and loving FATHER in heaven, and not
+prepared yourself to trust Him without half-a-crown!" I was nearly
+choked. How gladly would I have compromised with conscience if I had had
+a florin and a sixpence! I would have given the florin thankfully and
+kept the rest; but I was not yet prepared to trust in GOD alone, without
+the sixpence.
+
+To talk was impossible under these circumstances; yet, strange to say, I
+thought I should have no difficulty in praying. Prayer was a delightful
+occupation to me in those days; time thus spent never seemed wearisome,
+and I knew nothing of lack of words. I seemed to think that all I should
+have to do would be to kneel down and engage in prayer, and that relief
+would come to them and to myself together. "You asked me to come and
+pray with your wife," I said to the man, "let us pray." And I knelt
+down. But scarcely had I opened my lips with "Our FATHER who art in
+heaven" than conscience said within, "Dare you mock GOD? Dare you kneel
+down and call Him FATHER with that half-crown in your pocket?" Such a
+time of conflict came upon me then as I have never experienced before or
+since. How I got through that form of prayer I know not, and whether the
+words uttered were connected or disconnected I cannot tell; but I arose
+from my knees in great distress of mind.
+
+The poor father turned to me and said, "You see what a terrible state we
+are in, sir; if you can help us, for GOD'S sake do!" Just then the word
+flashed into my mind, "Give to him that asketh of thee," and in the word
+of a KING there is power. I put my hand into my pocket, and slowly
+drawing forth the half-crown, gave it to the man, telling him that it
+might seem a small matter for me to relieve them, seeing that I was
+comparatively well off, but that in parting with that coin I was giving
+him my all; what I had been trying to tell him was indeed true--GOD
+really was a FATHER, and might be trusted. The joy all came back in full
+flood-tide to my heart; I could say anything and feel it then, and the
+hindrance to blessing was gone--gone, I trust, for ever.
+
+Not only was the poor woman's life saved, but I realised that my life
+was saved too! It might have been a wreck--would have been a wreck
+probably, as a Christian life--had not grace at that time conquered, and
+the striving of GOD'S SPIRIT been obeyed. I well remember how that
+night, as I went home to my lodgings, my heart was as light as my
+pocket. The lonely, deserted streets resounded with a hymn of praise
+which I could not restrain. When I took my basin of gruel before
+retiring, I would not have exchanged it for a prince's feast. I
+reminded the LORD as I knelt at my bedside of His own Word, that he who
+giveth to the poor lendeth to the LORD: I asked Him not to let my loan
+be a long one, or I should have no dinner next day; and with peace
+within and peace without, I spent a happy, restful night.
+
+Next morning for breakfast my plate of porridge remained, and before it
+was consumed the postman's knock was heard at the door. I was not in the
+habit of receiving letters on Monday, as my parents and most of my
+friends refrained from posting on Saturday; so that I was somewhat
+surprised when the landlady came in holding a letter or packet in her
+wet hand covered by her apron. I looked at the letter, but could not
+make out the handwriting. It was either a strange hand or a feigned one,
+and the postmark was blurred. Where it came from I could not tell. On
+opening the envelope I found nothing written within; but inside a sheet
+of blank paper was folded a pair of kid gloves, from which, as I opened
+them in astonishment, half-a-sovereign fell to the ground. "Praise the
+LORD!" I exclaimed; "400 per cent for twelve hours investment; that is
+good interest. How glad the merchants of Hull would be if they could
+lend their money at such a rate!" I then and there determined that a
+bank which could not break should have my savings or earnings as the
+case might be--a determination I have not yet learned to regret.
+
+I cannot tell you how often my mind has recurred to this incident, or
+all the help it has been to me in circumstances of difficulty in
+after-life. If we are faithful to GOD in little things, we shall gain
+experience and strength that will be helpful to us in the more serious
+trials of life.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+FURTHER ANSWERS TO PRAYER
+
+
+THE remarkable and gracious deliverance I have spoken of, was a great
+joy to me, as well as a strong confirmation of faith; but of course ten
+shillings, however economically used, will not go very far, and it was
+none the less necessary to continue in prayer, asking that the larger
+supply which was still due might be remembered and paid. All my
+petitions, however, appeared to remain unanswered; and before a
+fortnight had elapsed I found myself pretty much in the same position
+that I had occupied on the Sunday night already made so memorable.
+Meanwhile, I continued pleading with GOD, more and more earnestly, that
+He would graciously remind my employer that my salary was overdue. Of
+course it was not the want of the money that distressed me--that could
+have been had at any time for the asking--but the question uppermost in
+my mind was this: "Can I go to China? or will my want of faith and power
+with GOD prove to be so serious an obstacle as to preclude my entering
+upon this much-prized service?"
+
+As the week drew to a close I felt exceedingly embarrassed. There was
+not only myself to consider; on Saturday night a payment would be due to
+my Christian landlady which I knew she could not well dispense with.
+Ought I not, for her sake, to speak about the matter of the salary? Yet
+to do so would be, to myself at any rate, the admission that I was not
+fitted to undertake a missionary enterprise. I gave nearly the whole of
+Thursday and Friday--all the time not occupied in my necessary
+employment--to earnest wrestling with GOD in prayer. But still on
+Saturday morning I was in the same position as before. And now my
+earnest cry was for guidance as to whether it was my duty to break
+silence and speak to my employer, or whether I should still continue to
+wait the FATHER's time. As far as I could judge, I received the
+assurance that to wait His time was best; and that GOD in some way or
+other would interpose on my behalf. So I waited, my heart being now at
+rest and the burden gone.
+
+About five o'clock that Saturday afternoon, when the doctor had finished
+writing his prescriptions, his last circuit for the day being taken, he
+threw himself back in his arm-chair, as he was wont, and began to speak
+of the things of GOD. He was a truly Christian man, and many seasons of
+very happy spiritual fellowship we had together. I was busily watching,
+at the time, a pan in which a decoction was boiling that required a good
+deal of attention. It was indeed fortunate for me that it was so, for
+without any obvious connection with what had been going on, all at once
+he said, "By-the-bye, Taylor, is not your salary due again?" My emotion
+may be imagined! I had to swallow two or three times before I could
+answer. With my eye fixed on the pan and my back to the doctor, I told
+him as quietly as I could that it was overdue some little time. How
+thankful I felt at that moment! GOD surely had heard my prayer, and
+caused him, in this time of my great need, to remember the salary
+without any word or suggestion from me. He replied, "Oh, I am so sorry
+you did not remind me! You know how busy I am; I wish I had thought of
+it a little sooner, for only this afternoon I sent all the money I had
+to the bank, otherwise I would pay you at once." It is impossible to
+describe the revulsion of feeling caused by this unexpected statement. I
+knew not what to do. Fortunately for me my pan boiled up, and I had a
+good reason for rushing with it from the room. Glad indeed I was to get
+away, and keep out of sight until after the doctor had returned to his
+house, and most thankful that he had not perceived my emotion.
+
+As soon as he was gone I had to seek my little sanctum, and pour out my
+heart before the LORD for some time, before calmness--and more than
+calmness--thankfulness, and joy were restored to me. I felt that GOD had
+His own way, and was not going to fail me. I had sought to know His will
+early in the day, and as far as I could judge had received guidance to
+wait patiently; and now GOD was going to work for me in some other way.
+
+That evening was spent, as my Saturday evenings usually were, in reading
+the Word and preparing the subjects on which I expected to speak in the
+various lodging-houses on the morrow. I waited, perhaps, a little longer
+than usual. At last, about ten o'clock, there being no interruption of
+any kind, I put on my overcoat, and was preparing to leave for home,
+rather thankful to know that by that time I should have to let myself in
+with the latch-key, as my landlady retired early to rest. There was
+certainly no help for that night; but perhaps GOD would interpose for me
+by Monday, and I might be able to pay my landlady early in the week the
+money I would have given her before, had it been possible.
+
+Just as I was preparing to turn down the gas, I heard the doctor's step
+in the garden which lay between the dwelling-house and surgery. He was
+laughing to himself very heartily, as though greatly amused by
+something. Entering the surgery, he asked for the ledger, and told me
+that, strange to say, one of his richest patients had just come to pay
+his doctor's bill--was it not an odd thing to do? It never struck me
+that it might have any bearing on my own particular case, or I might
+have felt embarrassed; but looking at it simply from the position of an
+uninterested spectator, I also was highly amused that a man who was
+rolling in wealth should come after ten o'clock at night to pay a
+doctor's bill, which he could any day have met by a cheque with the
+greatest ease. It appeared that somehow or other he could not rest with
+this on his mind, and had been constrained to come at that unusual hour
+to discharge his liability.
+
+The account was duly receipted in the ledger, and the doctor was about
+to leave, when suddenly he turned, and handing me some of the bank notes
+just received, said, to my surprise and thankfulness, "By the way,
+Taylor, you might as well take these notes; I have not any change, but
+can give you the balance next week." Again I was left--my feelings
+undiscovered--to go back to my own little closet and praise the LORD
+with a joyful heart that after all I might go to China.
+
+To me this incident was not a trivial one; and to recall it sometimes,
+in circumstances of great difficulty, in China or elsewhere, has proved
+no small comfort and strength.
+
+By-and-by the time drew near when it was thought desirable that I should
+leave Hull to attend the medical course of the London Hospital. A little
+while spent there, and then I had every reason to believe that my
+life-work in China would commence. But much as I had rejoiced at the
+willingness of GOD to hear and answer prayer and to help His
+half-trusting, half-timid child, I felt that I could not go to China
+without having still further developed and tested my power to rest upon
+His faithfulness; and a marked opportunity for doing so was
+providentially afforded me.
+
+My dear father had offered to bear all the expense of my stay in London.
+I knew, however, that, owing to recent losses, it would mean a
+considerable sacrifice for him to undertake this just when it seemed
+necessary for me to go forward. I had recently become acquainted with
+the Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society, in connection with
+which I ultimately left for China, and especially with its secretary, my
+esteemed and much-loved friend Mr. George Pearse, then of the Stock
+Exchange, but now[1] and for many years himself a missionary. Not
+knowing of my father's proposition, the Committee also kindly offered to
+bear my expenses while in London. When these proposals were first made
+to me, I was not quite clear as to what I ought to do, and in writing to
+my father and the secretaries, told them that I would take a few days to
+pray about the matter before deciding any course of action. I mentioned
+to my father that I had had this offer from the Society, and told the
+secretaries also of his proffered aid.
+
+Subsequently, while waiting upon GOD in prayer for guidance, it became
+clear to my mind that I could without difficulty decline both offers.
+The secretaries of the Society would not know that I had cast myself
+wholly on GOD for supplies, and my father would conclude that I had
+accepted the other offer. I therefore wrote declining both propositions,
+and felt that without any one having either care or anxiety on my
+account I was simply in the hands of GOD, and that He, who knew my
+heart, if He wished to encourage me to go to China, would bless my
+effort to depend upon Him alone at home.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+FOOTNOTE:
+
+[1] Since the above was written Mr. George Pearse has died.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+LIFE IN LONDON
+
+
+I MUST not now attempt to detail the ways in which the LORD was
+pleased--often to my surprise, as well as to my delight--to help me from
+time to time. I soon found that it was not possible to live quite as
+economically in London as in Hull. To lessen expenses I shared a room
+with a cousin, four miles from the hospital, providing myself with
+board; and after various experiments I found that the most economical
+way was to live almost exclusively on brown bread and water. Thus I was
+able to make the means that GOD gave me last as long as possible. Some
+of my expenses I could not diminish, but my board was largely within my
+own control. A large twopenny loaf of brown bread, purchased daily on my
+long walk from the hospital, furnished me with supper and breakfast; and
+on that diet, with a few apples for lunch, I managed to walk eight or
+nine miles a day, besides being a good deal on foot while attending the
+practice of the hospital and the medical school.
+
+One incident that occurred just about this time I must refer to. The
+husband of my former landlady in Hull was chief officer of a ship that
+sailed from London, and by receiving his half-pay monthly and remitting
+it to her I was able to save her the cost of a commission. This I had
+been doing for several months, when she wrote requesting that I would
+obtain the next payment as early as possible, as her rent was almost
+due, and she depended upon that sum to meet it. The request came at an
+inconvenient time. I was working hard for an examination in the hope of
+obtaining a scholarship which would be of service to me, and felt that I
+could ill afford the time to go during the busiest part of the day to
+the city and procure the money. I had, however, sufficient of my own in
+hand to enable me to send the required sum. I made the remittance
+therefore, purposing, as soon as the examination was over, to go and
+draw the regular allowance with which to refund myself.
+
+Before the time of examination the medical school was closed for a day,
+on account of the funeral of the Duke of Wellington, and I had an
+opportunity of going at once to the office, which was situated in a
+street on Cheapside, and applying for the due amount. To my surprise and
+dismay the cleric told me that he could not pay it, as the officer in
+question had run away from his ship and gone to the gold diggings.
+"Well," I remarked, "that is very inconvenient for me, as I have already
+advanced the money, and I know his wife will have no means of repaying
+it." The clerk said he was sorry, but could of course only act according
+to orders; so there was no help for me in that direction. A little more
+time and thought, however, brought the comforting conclusion to my mind,
+that as I was depending on the LORD for everything, and His means were
+not limited, it was a small matter to be brought a little sooner or
+later into the position of needing fresh supplies from Him; and so the
+joy and the peace were not long interfered with.
+
+Very soon after this, possibly the same evening, while sewing together
+some sheets of paper on which to take notes of the lectures, I
+accidentally pricked the first finger of my right hand, and in a few
+moments forgot all about it. The next day at the hospital I continued
+dissecting as before. The body was that of a person who had died of
+fever, and was more than usually disagreeable and dangerous. I need
+scarcely say that those of us who were at work upon it dissected with
+special care, knowing that the slightest scratch might cost us our
+lives. Before the morning was far advanced I began to feel very weary,
+and while going through the surgical wards at noon was obliged to run
+out, being suddenly very sick--a most unusual circumstance with me, as I
+took but little food and nothing that could disagree with me. After
+feeling faint for some time, a draught of cold water revived me, and I
+was able to rejoin the students. I became more and more unwell, however,
+and ere the afternoon lecture on surgery was over found it impossible to
+hold the pencil and continue taking notes. By the time the next lecture
+was through, my whole arm and right side were full of severe pain, and I
+was both looking and feeling very ill.
+
+Finding that I could not resume work, I went into the dissecting-room to
+bind up the portion I was engaged upon and put away my apparatus, and
+said to the demonstrator, who was a very skilful surgeon, "I cannot
+think what has come over me," describing the symptoms. "Why," said he,
+"what has happened is clear enough: you must have cut yourself in
+dissecting, and you know that this is a case of malignant fever." I
+assured him that I had been most careful, and was quite certain that I
+had no cut or scratch. "Well," he replied, "you certainly must have had
+one;" and he very closely scrutinised my hand to find it, but in vain.
+All at once it occurred to me that I had pricked my finger the night
+before, and I asked him if it were possible that a prick from a needle,
+at that time, could have been still unclosed. His opinion was that this
+was probably the cause of the trouble, and he advised me to get a
+hansom, drive home as fast as I could, and arrange my affairs forthwith.
+"For," he said, "you are a dead man."
+
+My first thought was one of sorrow that I could not go to China; but
+very soon came the feeling, "Unless I am greatly mistaken, I have work
+to do in China, and shall not die." I was glad, however, to take the
+opportunity of speaking to my medical friend, who was a confirmed
+sceptic as to things spiritual, of the joy that the prospect of perhaps
+soon being with my MASTER gave me; telling him at the same time that I
+did not think I should die, as, unless I were much mistaken, I had work
+to do in China; and if so, however severe the struggle, I must be
+brought through. "That is all very well," he answered, "but you get a
+hansom and drive home as fast as you can. You have no time to lose, for
+you will soon be incapable of winding up your affairs."
+
+I smiled a little at the idea of my driving home in a hansom, for by
+this time my means were too exhausted to allow of such a proceeding, and
+I set out to walk the distance if possible. Before long, however, my
+strength gave way, and I felt it was no use to attempt to reach home by
+walking. Availing myself of an omnibus from Whitechapel Church to
+Farringdon Street, and another from Farringdon Street onwards, I
+reached, in great suffering, the neighbourhood of Soho Square, behind
+which I lived. On going into the house I got some hot water from the
+servant, and charging her very earnestly--literally as a dying man--to
+accept eternal life as the gift of GOD through JESUS CHRIST, I bathed my
+head and lanced the finger, hoping to let out some of the poisoned
+blood. The pain was very severe; I fainted away, and was for some time
+unconscious, so long that when I came to myself I found that I had been
+carried to bed.
+
+An uncle of mine who lived near at hand had come in, and sent for his
+own medical man, an assistant surgeon at the Westminster Hospital. I
+assured my uncle that medical help would be of no service to me, and
+that I did not wish to go to the expense involved. He, however, quieted
+me on this score, saying that he had sent for his own doctor, and that
+the bill would be charged to himself. When the surgeon came and learned
+all the particulars, he said, "Well, if you have been living moderately,
+you may pull through; but if you have been going in for beer and that
+sort of thing, there is no manner of chance for you." I thought that if
+sober living was to do anything, few could have a better chance, as
+little but bread and water had been my diet for a good while past. I
+told him I had lived abstemiously, and found that it helped me in study.
+"But now," he said, "you must keep up your strength, for it will be a
+pretty hard struggle." And he ordered me a bottle of port wine every
+day, and as many chops as I could consume. Again I smiled inwardly,
+having no means for the purchase of such luxuries. This difficulty,
+however, was also met by my kind uncle, who sent me at once all that was
+needed.
+
+I was much concerned, notwithstanding the agony I suffered, that my dear
+parents should not be made acquainted with my state. Thought and prayer
+had satisfied me that I was not going to die, but that there was indeed
+a work for me to do in China. If my dear parents should come up and find
+me in that condition, I must lose the opportunity of seeing how GOD was
+going to work for me, now that my money had almost come to an end. So,
+after prayer for guidance, I obtained a promise from my uncle and cousin
+not to write to my parents, but to leave me to communicate with them
+myself. I felt it was a very distinct answer to prayer when they gave me
+this promise, and I took care to defer all communication with them
+myself until the crisis was past and the worst of the attack over. At
+home they knew that I was working hard for an examination, and did not
+wonder at my silence.
+
+Days and nights of suffering passed slowly by; but at length, after
+several weeks, I was sufficiently restored to leave my room; and then I
+learned that two men, though not from the London Hospital, who had had
+dissection wounds at the same time as myself, had both succumbed, while
+I was spared in answer to prayer to work for GOD in China.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+STRENGTHENED BY FAITH
+
+
+ONE day the doctor coming in found me on the sofa, and was surprised to
+learn that with assistance I had walked downstairs. "Now," he said, "the
+best thing you can go is to get off to the country as soon as you feel
+equal to the journey. You must rusticate until you have recovered a fair
+amount of health and strength, for if you begin your work too soon the
+consequences may still be serious." When he had left, as I lay very
+exhausted on the sofa, I just told the LORD all about it, and that I was
+refraining from making my circumstances known to those who would delight
+to meet my need, in order that my faith might be strengthened by
+receiving help from Himself in answer to prayer alone. What was I to do?
+And I waited for His answer.
+
+It seemed to me as if He were directing my mind to the conclusion to go
+again to the shipping office, and inquire about the wages I had been
+unable to draw. I reminded the LORD that I could not afford to take a
+conveyance, and that it did not seem at all likely that I should succeed
+in getting the money, and asked whether this impulse was not a mere
+clutching at a straw, some mental process of my own, rather than His
+guidance and teaching. After prayer, however, and renewed waiting upon
+GOD, I was confirmed in my belief that He Himself was teaching me to go
+to the office.
+
+The next question was, "How am I to go?" I had had to seek help in
+coming downstairs, and the place was at least two miles away. The
+assurance was brought vividly home to me that whatever I asked of GOD in
+the name of CHRIST would be done, that the FATHER might be glorified in
+the SON; that what I had to do was to seek strength for the long walk,
+to receive it by faith, and to set out upon it. Unhesitatingly I told
+the LORD that I was quite willing to take the walk if He would give me
+the strength. I asked in the name of CHRIST that the strength might be
+immediately given; and sending the servant up to my room for my hat and
+stick, I set out, not to _attempt_ to walk, but TO WALK to Cheapside.
+
+Although undoubtedly strengthened by faith, I never took so much
+interest in shop windows as I did upon that journey. At every second or
+third step I was glad to lean a little against the plate glass, and take
+time to examine the contents of the windows before passing on. It needed
+a special effort of faith when I got to the bottom of Farringdon Street
+to attempt the toilsome ascent of Snow Hill: there was no Holborn
+Viaduct in those days, and it had to be done. GOD did wonderfully help
+me, and in due time I reached Cheapside, turned into the by-street in
+which the office was found, and sat down much exhausted on the steps
+leading to the first floor, which was my destination. I felt my position
+to be a little peculiar--sitting there on the steps, so evidently
+spent--and the gentlemen who rushed up and downstairs looked at me with
+an inquiring gaze. After a little rest, however, and a further season of
+prayer, I succeeded in climbing the staircase, and to my comfort found
+in the office the clerk with whom I had hitherto dealt in the matter.
+Seeing me looking pale and exhausted, he kindly inquired as to my
+health, and I told him that I had had a serious illness, and was ordered
+to the country, but thought it well to call first, and make further
+inquiry, lest there should have been any mistake about the mate having
+run off to the gold diggings. "Oh," he said, "I am so glad you have
+come, for it turns out that it was an able seaman of the same name that
+ran away. The mate is still on board; the ship has just reached
+Gravesend, and will be up very soon. I shall be glad to give you the
+half-pay up to date, for doubtless it will reach his wife more safely
+through you. We all know what temptations beset the men when they arrive
+at home after a voyage."
+
+Before, however, giving me the sum of money, he insisted upon my coming
+inside and sharing his lunch. I felt it was the LORD indeed who was
+providing for me, and accepted his offer with thankfulness. When I was
+refreshed and rested, he gave me a sheet of paper to write a few lines
+to the wife, telling her of the circumstances. On my way back I procured
+in Cheapside a money order for the balance due to her, and posted it;
+and returning home again, felt myself now quite justified in taking an
+omnibus as far as it would serve me.
+
+Very much better the next morning, after seeing to some little matters
+that I had to settle, I made my way to the surgery of the doctor who had
+attended me, feeling that, although my uncle was prepared to pay the
+bill, it was right for me, now that I had some money in hand, to ask for
+the account myself. The kind surgeon refused to allow me, as a medical
+student, to pay anything for his attendance: but he had supplied me with
+quinine, which he allowed me to pay for to the extent of eight
+shillings. When that was settled, I saw that the sum left was just
+sufficient to take me home; and to my mind the whole thing seemed a
+wonderful interposition of GOD on my behalf.
+
+I knew that the surgeon was sceptical, and told him that I should very
+much like to speak to him freely, if I might do so without offence; that
+I felt that under GOD I owed my life to his kind care, and wished very
+earnestly that he himself might become a partaker of the same precious
+faith that I possessed. So I told him my reason for being in London, and
+about my circumstances, and why I had declined the help of both my
+father and the officers of the Society in connection with which it was
+probable that I should go to China. I told him of the recent
+providential dealings of GOD with me, and how apparently hopeless my
+position had been the day before, when he had ordered me to go to the
+country, unless I would reveal my need, which I had determined not to
+do. I described to him the mental exercises I had gone through; but when
+I added that I had actually got up from the sofa and walked to
+Cheapside, he looked at me incredulously, and "Impossible! Why, I left
+you lying there more like a ghost than a man." And I had to assure him
+again and again that, strengthened by faith, the walk had really been
+taken. I told him also what money was left to me, and what payments
+there had been to make, and showed him that just sufficient remained to
+take me home to Yorkshire, providing for needful refreshment by the way
+and the omnibus journey at the end.
+
+My kind friend was completely broken down, and said with tears in his
+eyes, "I would give all the world for a faith like yours." I, on the
+other hand, had the joy of telling him that it was to be obtained
+without money and without price. We never met again. When I came back to
+town, restored to health and strength, I found that he had had a
+stroke, and left for the country; and I subsequently learned that he
+never rallied. I was able to gain no information as to his state of mind
+when taken away; but I have always felt very thankful that I had the
+opportunity, and embraced it, of bearing that testimony for GOD. I
+cannot but entertain the hope that the MASTER Himself was speaking to
+him through His dealings with me, and that I shall meet him again in the
+Better Land. It would be no small joy to be welcomed by him, when my own
+service is over.
+
+The next day found me in my dear parents' home. My joy in the LORD's
+help and deliverance was so great that I was unable to keep it to
+myself, and before my return to London my dear mother knew the secret of
+my life for some time past. I need scarcely say that when I went up
+again to town I was not allowed to live--as, indeed, I was not fit to
+live--on the same economical lines as before my illness. I needed more
+now, and the LORD did provide.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+MIGHTY TO SAVE
+
+
+RETURNING to London when sufficiently recovered to resume my studies,
+the busy life of hospital and lecture-hall was resumed; often relieved
+by happy Sundays of fellowship with Christian friends, especially in
+London or Tottenham. Opportunities for service are to be found in every
+sphere, and mine was no exception. I shall only mention one case now
+that gave me great encouragement in seeking conversion even when it
+seemed apparently hopeless.
+
+GOD had given me the joy of winning souls before, but not in
+surroundings of such special difficulty. With GOD all things are
+possible, and no conversion ever takes place save by the almighty power
+of the HOLY GHOST. The great need, therefore, of every Christian worker
+is to _know_ GOD. Indeed, this is the purpose for which He has given us
+eternal life, as our SAVIOUR Himself says, in the oft misquoted verse,
+John xvii. 3: "This is [the object of] life eternal, [not _to_ know but]
+that they _might_ know Thee the only true GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, whom
+Thou hast sent." I was now to prove the willingness of GOD to answer
+prayer for spiritual blessing under most unpromising circumstances, and
+thus to gain an increased acquaintance with the prayer-answering GOD as
+One "mighty to save."
+
+A short time before leaving for China, it became my duty daily to dress
+the foot of a patient suffering from senile gangrene. The disease
+commenced, as usual, insidiously, and the patient had little idea that
+he was a doomed man, and probably had not long to live. I was not the
+first to attend to him, but when the case was transferred to me, I
+naturally became very anxious about his soul. The family with whom he
+lived were Christians, and from them I learned that he was an avowed
+atheist, and very antagonistic to anything religious. They had, without
+asking his consent, invited a Scripture reader to visit him, but in
+great passion he had ordered him from the room. The vicar of the
+district had also called, hoping to help him; but he had spit in his
+face, and refused to allow him to speak to him. His passionate temper
+was described to me as very violent, and altogether the case seemed to
+be as hopeless as could well be imagined.
+
+Upon first commencing to attend him I prayed much about it; but for two
+or three days said nothing to him of a religious nature. By special care
+in dressing his diseased limb I was able considerably to lessen his
+sufferings, and he soon began to manifest grateful appreciation of my
+services. One day, with a trembling heart, I took advantage of his warm
+acknowledgments to tell him what was the spring of my action, and to
+speak of his own solemn position and need of GOD's mercy through CHRIST.
+It was evidently only by a powerful effort of self-restraint that he
+kept his lips closed. He turned over in bed with his back to me, and
+uttered no word.
+
+I could not get the poor man out of my mind, and very often through each
+day I pleaded with GOD, by His SPIRIT, to save him ere He took him
+hence. After dressing the wound and relieving his pain, I never failed
+to say a few words to him, which I hoped the LORD would bless. He
+always turned his back to me, looking annoyed, but never spoke a word in
+reply.
+
+After continuing this for some time, my heart sank. It seemed to me that
+I was not only doing no good, but perhaps really hardening him and
+increasing his guilt. One day, after dressing his limb and washing my
+hands, instead of returning to the bedside to speak to him, I went to
+the door, and stood hesitating for a few moments with the thought in my
+mind, "Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone." I looked at the
+man and saw his surprise, as it was the first time since speaking to him
+that I had attempted to leave without going up to his bedside to say a
+few words for my MASTER. I could bear it no longer. Bursting into tears,
+I crossed the room and said, "My friend, whether you will hear or
+whether you will forbear, I _must_ deliver _my_ soul," and went on to
+speak very earnestly to him, telling him with many tears how much I
+wished that he would let me pray with him. To my unspeakable joy he did
+not turn away, but replied, "If it will be a relief to you, do." I need
+scarcely say that I fell on my knees and poured out my whole soul to GOD
+on his behalf. I believe the LORD then and there wrought a change in his
+soul.
+
+He was never afterwards unwilling to be spoken to and prayed with, and
+within a few days he definitely accepted CHRIST as his SAVIOUR. Oh the
+joy it was to me to see that dear man rejoicing in hope of the glory of
+GOD! He told me that for forty years he had never darkened the door of
+church or chapel, and that then--forty years ago--he had only entered a
+place of worship to be married, and could not be persuaded to go inside
+when his wife was buried. Now, thank GOD, his sin-stained soul, I had
+every reason to believe, was washed, was sanctified, was justified, in
+the Name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and in the SPIRIT of our GOD.
+Oftentimes, when in my early work in China circumstances rendered me
+almost hopeless of success, I have thought of this man's conversion, and
+have been encouraged to persevere in speaking the Word, whether men
+would hear or whether they would forbear.
+
+The now happy sufferer lived for some time after this change, and was
+never tired of bearing testimony to the grace of GOD. Though his
+condition was most distressing, the alteration in his character and
+behaviour made the previously painful duty of attending him one of real
+pleasure. I have often thought since, in connection with this case and
+the work of GOD generally, of the words, "He that goeth forth _weeping_,
+bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing
+his sheaves with him." Perhaps if there were more of that intense
+distress for souls that leads to tears, we should more frequently see
+the results we desire. Sometimes it may be that while we are complaining
+of the hardness of the hearts of those we are seeking to benefit, the
+hardness of our own hearts, and our own feeble apprehension of the
+solemn reality of eternal things, may be the true cause of our want of
+success.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+VOYAGE TO CHINA
+
+
+SOON after this the time so long looked forward to arrived--the time
+that I was to leave England for China. After being set apart with many
+prayers for the ministry of GOD's Word among the heathen Chinese I left
+London for Liverpool; and on the 19th of September 1853 a little service
+was held in the stern cabin of the _Dumfries_, which had been secured
+for me by the Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society, under
+whose auspices I was going to China.
+
+My beloved, now sainted, mother had come to see me off from Liverpool.
+Never shall I forget that day, nor how she went with me into the little
+cabin that was to be my home for nearly six long months. With a mother's
+loving hand she smoothed the little bed. She sat by my side, and joined
+me in the last hymn that we should sing together before the long
+parting. We knelt down, and she prayed--the last mother's prayer I was
+to hear before starting for China. Then notice was given that we must
+separate, and we had to say good-bye, never expecting to meet on earth
+again.
+
+For my sake she restrained her feelings as much as possible. We parted;
+and she went on shore, giving me her blessing; I stood alone on deck,
+and she followed the ship as we moved towards the dock gates. As we
+passed through the gates, and the separation really commenced, I shall
+never forget the cry of anguish wrung from that mother's heart. It went
+through me like a knife. I never knew so fully, until then, what GOD
+_so_ loved the world meant. And I am quite sure that my precious mother
+learned more of the love of GOD to the perishing in that hour than in
+all her life before.
+
+Oh, how it must grieve the heart of GOD when He sees His children
+indifferent to the needs of that wide world for which His beloved, His
+only begotten SON died!
+
+          Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear;
+          Forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
+          So shall the KING desire thy beauty:
+          For He is thy LORD; and worship thou Him.
+
+Praise GOD, the number is increasing who are finding out the exceeding
+joys, the wondrous revelations of His mercies, vouchsafed to those who
+follow Him, and emptying themselves, leave all in obedience to His great
+commission.
+
+It was on 19th September 1853 that the _Dumfries_ sailed for China; and
+not until 1st March, in the spring of the following year, did I arrive
+in Shanghai.
+
+Our voyage had a rough beginning, but many had promised to remember us
+in constant prayer. No small comfort was this; for we had scarcely left
+the Mersey when a violent equinoctial gale caught us, and for twelve
+days we were beating backwards and forwards in the Irish Channel, unable
+to get out to sea. The gale steadily increased, and after almost a week
+we lay to for a time; but drifting on a lee coast, we were compelled
+again to make sail, and endeavoured to beat on to windward. The utmost
+efforts of the captain and crew, however, were unavailing; and Sunday
+night, 25th September, found us drifting into Carnarvon Bay, each tack
+becoming shorter, until at last we were within a stone's-throw of the
+rocks. About this time, as the ship, which had refused to stay, was put
+round in the other direction, the Christian captain said to me, "We
+cannot live half an hour now: what of your call to labour for the LORD
+in China?" I had previously passed through a time of much conflict, but
+that was over, and it was a great joy to feel and to tell him that I
+would not for any consideration be in any other position; that I
+strongly expected to reach China; but that, if otherwise, at any rate
+the Master would say it was well that I was found seeking to obey His
+command.
+
+Within a few minutes after wearing ship the captain walked, up to the
+compass, and said to me, "The wind has freed two points; we shall be
+able to beat out of the bay." And so we did. The bowsprit was sprung and
+the vessel seriously strained; but in a few days we got out to sea, and
+the necessary repairs were so thoroughly effected on board that our
+journey to China was in due time satisfactorily accomplished.
+
+One thing was a great trouble to me that night. I was a very young
+believer, and had not sufficient faith in GOD to see Him in and through
+the use of means. I had felt it a duty to comply with the earnest wish
+of my beloved and honoured mother, and for her sake to procure a
+swimming-belt. But in my own soul I felt as if I could not simply trust
+in GOD while I had this swimming-belt; and my heart had no rest until on
+that night, after all hope of being saved was gone, I had given it away.
+Then I had perfect peace; and, strange to say, put several light things
+together, likely to float at the time we struck, without any thought of
+inconsistency or scruple. Ever since, I have seen clearly the mistake I
+made--a mistake that is very common in these days, when erroneous
+teaching on faith-healing does much harm, misleading some as to the
+purposes of GOD, shaking the faith of others, and distressing the minds
+of many. The use of means ought not to lessen our faith in GOD; and our
+faith in GOD ought not to hinder our using whatever means He has given
+us for the accomplishment of His own purposes.
+
+For years after this I always took a swimming-belt with me, and never
+had any trouble about it; for after the storm was over, the question was
+settled for me, through the prayerful study of the Scriptures. GOD gave
+me then to see my mistake, probably to deliver me from a great deal of
+trouble on similar questions now so constantly raised. When in medical
+or surgical charge of any case, I have never thought of neglecting to
+ask GOD's guidance and blessing in the use of appropriate means, nor yet
+of omitting to give Him thanks for answered prayer and restored health.
+But to me it would appear as presumptuous and wrong to neglect the use
+of those measures which He Himself has put within our reach, as to
+neglect to take daily food, and suppose that life and health might be
+maintained by prayer alone.
+
+The voyage was a very tedious one. We lost a good deal of time on the
+equator from calms; and when we finally reached the Eastern Archipelago,
+were again detained from the same cause. Usually a breeze would spring
+up soon after sunset, and last until about dawn. The utmost use was made
+of it, but during the day we lay still with flapping sails, often
+drifting back and losing a good deal of the advantage we had gained
+during the night.
+
+This happened notably on one occasion, when we were in dangerous
+proximity to the north of New Guinea. Saturday night had brought us to a
+point some thirty miles off the land; but during the Sunday morning
+service, which was held on deck, I could not fail to notice that the
+captain looked troubled, and frequently went over to the side of the
+ship. When the service was ended, I learnt from him the cause--a
+four-knot current was carrying us rapidly towards some sunken reefs, and
+we were already so near that it seemed improbable that we should get
+through the afternoon in safety. After dinner the long-boat was put out,
+and all hands endeavoured, without success, to turn the ship's head from
+the shore. As we drifted nearer we could plainly see the natives rushing
+about the sands and lighting fires every here and there. The captain's
+horn-book informed him that these people were cannibals, so that our
+position was not a little alarming.
+
+After standing together on the deck for some time in silence, the
+captain said to me, "Well, we have done everything that can be done; we
+can only await the result." A thought occurred to me, and I replied,
+"No, there is one thing we have not done yet." "What is it?" he queried.
+"Four of us on board are Christians," I answered (the Swedish carpenter
+and our coloured steward, with the captain and myself); "let us each
+retire to his own cabin, and in agreed prayer ask the LORD to give us
+immediately a breeze. He can as easily send it now as at sunset."
+
+The captain complied with this proposal. I went and spoke to the other
+two men, and after prayer with the carpenter we all four retired to wait
+upon GOD. I had a good but very brief season in prayer, and then felt so
+satisfied that our request was granted that I could not continue asking,
+and very soon went up again on deck. The first officer, a godless man,
+was in charge. I went over and asked him to let down the clews or
+corners of the mainsail, which had been drawn up in order to lessen the
+useless flapping of the sail against the rigging. He answered, "What
+would be the good of that?" I told him we had been asking a wind from
+GOD, that it was coming immediately, and we were so near the reef by
+this time that there was not a minute to lose. With a look of
+incredulity and contempt, he said with an oath that he would rather see
+a wind than hear of it! But while he was speaking I watched his eye, and
+followed it up to the royal (the topmost sail), and there, sure enough,
+the corner of the sail was beginning to tremble in the coming breeze.
+"Don't you see the wind is coming? Look at the royal!" I exclaimed. "No,
+it is only a cat's-paw," he rejoined (a mere puff of wind). "Cat's-paw
+or not," I cried, "pray let down the mainsail, and let us have the
+benefit!"
+
+This he was not slow to do. In another minute the heavy tread of the men
+on the deck brought up the captain from his cabin to see what was the
+matter; and he saw that the breeze had indeed come. In a few minutes we
+were ploughing our way at six or seven knots an hour through the water,
+and the multitude of naked savages whom we had seen on the beach had no
+wreckage that night. We were soon out of danger; and though the wind was
+sometimes unsteady, we did not altogether lose it until after passing
+the Pelew Islands.
+
+Thus GOD encouraged me, ere landing on China's shores, to bring every
+variety of need to Him in prayer, and _to expect that He would honour
+the Name_ of the LORD JESUS, and give the help which each emergency
+required.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+EARLY MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES
+
+
+ON landing in Shanghai on 1st March 1854, I found myself surrounded with
+difficulties that were wholly unexpected. A band of rebels, known as the
+"Red Turbans," had taken possession of the native city, against which
+was encamped an Imperial army of from forty to fifty thousand men, who
+were a much greater source of discomfort and danger to the little
+European community than were the rebels themselves. Upon landing, I was
+told that to live outside the Settlement was impossible, while within
+the foreign concession apartments were scarcely obtainable at any price.
+The dollar, now worth about three shillings, had risen to a value of
+eight-and-ninepence, and the prospect for one with only a small income
+of English money was dark indeed. However, I had three letters of
+introduction, and counted on counsel and help, especially from one of
+those to whom I had been commended, whose friends I well knew and highly
+valued. Of course I sought him out at once, but only to learn that he
+had been buried a month or two before, having died from fever during the
+time of my voyage.
+
+Saddened by these tidings, I inquired for a missionary to whom another
+of my letters of introduction was addressed; but a further
+disappointment awaited me--he had left for America. The third letter
+remained; but as it had been given by a comparative stranger, I had
+expected less from it than from the other two. It proved, however, to be
+GOD's channel of help. The Rev. Dr. Medhurst, of the London Mission, to
+whom it was addressed, introduced me to Dr. Lockhart, who kindly allowed
+me to live with him for six months. Dr. Medhurst procured my first
+Chinese teacher; and he, Dr. Edkins, and the late Mr. Alexander Wylie
+gave me considerable help with the language.
+
+Those were indeed troublous times, and times of danger. Coming out of
+the city one day with Mr. Wylie, he entered into conversation with two
+coolies, while we waited a little while at the East Gate for a companion
+who was behind us. Before our companion came up an attack upon the city
+from the batteries on the opposite side of the river commenced, which
+caused us to hurry away to a place of less danger, the whiz of the balls
+being unpleasantly near. The coolies, unfortunately, stayed too long,
+and were wounded. On reaching the Settlement we stopped a few minutes to
+make a purchase, and then proceeded at once to the London Mission
+compound, where, at the door of the hospital, we found the two poor
+coolies with whom Mr. Wylie had conversed, their four ankles terribly
+shattered by a cannon ball. The poor fellows declined amputation, and
+both died. We felt how narrow had been our escape.
+
+At another time, early in the morning, I had joined one of the
+missionaries on his verandah to watch the battle proceeding, at a
+distance of perhaps three-quarters of a mile, when suddenly a spent ball
+passed between us and buried itself in the verandah wall. Another day my
+friend Mr. Wylie left a book on the table after luncheon, and returning
+for it about five minutes later, found the arm of the chair on which he
+had been sitting shot clean away. But in the midst of these and many
+other dangers GOD protected us.
+
+After six months' stay with Dr. Lockhart, I rented a native house
+outside the Settlement, and commenced a little missionary work amongst
+my Chinese neighbours, which for a few months continued practicable.
+When the French joined the Imperialists in attacking the city, the
+position of my house became so dangerous that during the last few weeks,
+in consequence of nightly recurring skirmishes, I gave up attempting to
+sleep except in the daytime. One night a fire appeared very near, and I
+climbed up to a little observatory I had arranged on the roof of the
+house, to see whether it was necessary to attempt escape. While there a
+ball struck the ridge of the roof on the opposite side of the
+quadrangle, showering pieces of broken tile all around me, while the
+ball itself rolled down into the court below. It weighed four or five
+pounds; and had it come a few inches higher, would probably have spent
+its force on me instead of on the building. My dear mother kept the ball
+for many years. Shortly after this I had to abandon the house and return
+to the Foreign Settlement--a step that was taken none too soon, for
+before the last of my belongings were removed, the house was burnt to
+the ground.
+
+Of the trials of this early period it is scarcely possible to convey any
+adequate idea. To one of a sensitive nature, the horrors, atrocities,
+and misery connected with war were a terrible ordeal. The embarrassment
+also of the times was considerable. With an income of only eighty pounds
+a year, I was compelled, upon moving into the Settlement, to give one
+hundred and twenty for rent, and sublet half the house; and though the
+Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society increased my income
+when, after the arrival of Dr. Parker, they learned more of our
+circumstances, many painful experiences had necessarily been passed
+through. Few can realise how distressing to so young and untried a
+worker these difficulties seemed, or the intense loneliness of the
+position of a pioneer who could not even hint at many of his
+circumstances, as to do so would have been a tacit appeal for help.
+
+The great enemy is always ready with his oft-repeated suggestion, "All
+these things are against me." But oh, how false the word! The cold, and
+even the hunger, the watchings and sleeplessness of nights of danger,
+and the feeling at times of utter isolation and helplessness, were well
+and wisely chosen, and tenderly and lovingly meted out. What
+circumstances could have rendered the Word of GOD more sweet, the
+presence of GOD more real, the help of GOD more precious? They were
+times, indeed, of emptying and humbling, but were experiences that made
+not ashamed, and that strengthened purpose to go forward as GOD might
+direct, with His _proved_ promise, "I will not fail thee, nor forsake
+thee." One can see, even now, that as for GOD, His way is perfect, and
+yet can rejoice that the missionary path of to-day is comparatively a
+smooth and an easy one.
+
+Journeying inland was contrary to treaty arrangements, and attended with
+much difficulty, especially for some time after the battle of Muddy
+Flat, in which an Anglo-American contingent of about three hundred
+marines and seamen, with a volunteer corps of less than a hundred
+residents, attacked the Imperial camp, and drove away from thirty to
+fifty thousand Chinese soldiers, the range of our shot and shell making
+the native artillery useless. Still, in the autumn of 1854 a journey of
+perhaps a week's duration was safely accomplished with Dr. Edkins, who
+of course did the speaking and preaching, while I was able to help in
+the distribution of books.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+FIRST EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS
+
+
+A JOURNEY taken in the spring of 1855 with the Rev. J. S. Burden of the
+Church Missionary Society (now the Bishop of Victoria, Hong-kong) was
+attended with some serious dangers.
+
+In the great mouth of the river Yang-tse, distant some thirty miles to
+the north of Shanghai, lies the group of islands of which Ts'ung-ming
+and Hai-men are the largest and most important; and farther up the
+river, where the estuary narrows away from the sea, is situated the
+influential city of T'ung-chau, close to Lang-shan, or the Wolf
+Mountains, famous as a resort for pilgrim devotees. We spent some time
+in evangelising on those islands, and then proceeded to Lang-shan, where
+we preached and gave books to thousands of the devotees who were
+attending an idolatrous festival. From thence we went on to T'ung-chau,
+and of our painful experiences there the following journal will tell:--
+
+
+                                      _Thursday, April 26th, 1855._
+
+After breakfast we commended ourselves to the care of our Heavenly
+FATHER, and sought His Blessing before proceeding to this great city.
+The day was dull and wet. We felt persuaded that Satan would not allow
+us to assail his kingdom, as we were attempting to do, without raising
+serious opposition; but we were also fully assured that it was the will
+of GOD that we should preach CHRIST in this city, and distribute the
+Word of Truth among its people. We were sorry that we had but few books
+left for such an important place: the result, however, proved that this
+also was providential.
+
+Our native teachers did their best to persuade us not to go into the
+city; but we determined that, by GOD'S help, nothing should hinder us.
+We directed them, however, to remain in one of the boats; and if we did
+not return, to learn whatever they could respecting our fate, and make
+all possible haste to Shanghai with the information. We also arranged
+that the other boat should wait for us, even if we could not get back
+that night, so that we might not be detained for want of a boat in case
+of returning later. We then put our books into two bags, and with a
+servant who always accompanied us on these occasions, set off for the
+city, distant about seven miles. Walking was out of the question, from
+the state of the roads, so we availed ourselves of wheel-barrows, the
+only conveyance to be had in these parts. A wheel-barrow is cheaper than
+a sedan, only requiring one coolie; but is by no means an agreeable
+conveyance on rough, dirty roads.
+
+We had not gone far before the servant requested permission to go back,
+as he was thoroughly frightened by reports concerning the native
+soldiery. Of course we at once consented, not wishing to involve another
+in trouble, and determined to carry the books ourselves, and look for
+physical as well as spiritual strength to Him who had promised to supply
+all our need.
+
+At this point a respectable man came up, and earnestly warned us against
+proceeding, saying that if we did we should find to our sorrow what the
+T'ung-chau militia were like. We thanked him for his kindly counsel, but
+could not act upon it, as our hearts were fixed, whether it were to
+bonds, imprisonment, and death, or whether to distribute our Scriptures
+and tracts in safety, and return unhurt, we knew not; but we were
+determined, by the grace of GOD, not to leave T'ung-chau any longer
+without the Gospel, nor its teeming thousands to die in uncared-for
+ignorance of the Way of life.
+
+After this my wheel-barrow man would proceed no farther, and I had to
+seek another, who was fortunately not difficult to find. As we went on,
+the ride in the mud and rain was anything but agreeable, and we could
+not help feeling the danger of our position, although wavering not for a
+moment. At intervals we encouraged one another with promises from the
+Scripture and verses of hymns. That verse--
+
+          "The perils of the sea, the perils of the land,
+          Should not dishearten thee: thy LORD is nigh at hand.
+          But should thy courage fail, when tried and sore oppressed,
+          His promise shall avail, and set thy soul at rest."
+
+seemed particularly appropriate to our circumstances, and was very
+comforting to me.
+
+On our way we passed through one small town of about a thousand
+inhabitants; and here, in the Mandarin dialect, I preached JESUS to a
+good number of people. Never was I so happy in speaking of the love of
+GOD and the atonement of JESUS CHRIST. My own soul was richly blessed,
+and filled with joy and peace; and I was able to speak with unusual
+freedom and ease. And how rejoiced I was when, afterwards, I heard one
+of our hearers repeating to the newcomers, in his own local dialect, the
+truths upon which I had been dwelling! Oh, how thankful I felt to hear a
+Chinaman, of his own accord, telling his fellow-countrymen that GOD
+loved them; that they were sinners, but that JESUS died instead of
+them, and paid the penalty of their guilt. That one moment repaid me for
+all the trials we had passed through; and I felt that if the LORD should
+grant HIS HOLY SPIRIT to change the heart of that man, we had not come
+in vain.
+
+We distributed a few Testaments and tracts, for the people were able to
+read, and we could not leave them without the Gospel. It was well that
+we did so, for when we reached T'ung-chau we found we had quite as many
+left as we had strength to carry.
+
+Nearing the end of our journey, as we approached the western suburb of
+the city, the prayer of the early Christians, when persecution was
+commencing, came to my mind: "And now, LORD, behold their threatenings,
+and grant unto Thy servants that with all boldness they may speak Thy
+Word." In this petition we most heartily united. Before entering the
+suburb we laid our plans, so as to act in concert, and told our
+wheel-barrow men where to await us, that they might not be involved in
+any trouble on our account. Then looking up to our Heavenly FATHER, we
+committed ourselves to His keeping, took our books, and set on for the
+city.
+
+For some distance we walked along the principal street of the suburb
+leading to the West Gate unmolested, and were amused at the unusual
+title of _Heh-kwei-tsi_ (black devils) which was applied to us. We
+wondered about it at the time, but afterwards found that it was our
+clothes, and not our skin, that gave rise to it. As we passed several of
+the soldiers, I remarked to Mr. Burdon that these were the men we had
+heard so much about, and that they seemed willing to receive us quietly
+enough. Long before we reached the gate, however, a tall powerful man,
+made tenfold fiercer by partial intoxication, let us know that all the
+militia were not so peaceably inclined, by seizing Mr. Burdon by the
+shoulders. My companion endeavoured to shake him off. I turned to see
+what was the matter, and at once we were surrounded by a dozen or more
+brutal men, who hurried us on to the city at a fearful pace.
+
+My bag now began to feel very heavy, and I could not change hands to
+relieve myself. I was soon in a profuse perspiration, and was scarcely
+able to keep pace with them. We demanded to be taken before the chief
+magistrate, but were told that they knew where to take us, and what to
+do with such persons as we were, with the most insulting epithets. The
+man who first seized Mr. Burdon soon afterwards left him for me, and
+became my principal tormentor; for I was neither so tall nor so strong
+as my friend, and was therefore less able to resist him. He all but
+knocked me down again and again, seized me by the hair, took hold of my
+collar so as to almost choke me, and grasped my arms and shoulders,
+making them black and blue. Had this treatment continued much longer, I
+must have fainted. All but exhausted, how refreshing was the remembrance
+of a verse quoted by my dear mother in one of my last home letters--
+
+          "We speak of the realms of the blest,
+          That country so bright and so fair,
+          And oft are its glories confessed;
+          But what must it be to be there!"
+
+To be absent from the body! to be present with the LORD! to be free from
+sin! And this is the end of the worst that man's malice can ever bring
+upon us.
+
+As we were walking along Mr. Burdon tried to give away a few books that
+he was carrying, not knowing whether we might have another opportunity
+of doing so; but the fearful rage of the soldier, and the way he
+insisted on manacles being brought, which fortunately were not at hand,
+convinced us that in our present position we could do no good in
+attempting book-distribution. There was nothing to be done but quietly
+to submit, and go along with our captors.
+
+Once or twice a quarrel arose as to how we should be dealt with; the
+more mild of our conductors saying that we ought to be taken to the
+magistrate's office, but others wishing to kill us at once without
+appeal to any authority. Our minds were kept in perfect peace; and when
+thrown together on one of these occasions, we reminded each other that
+the Apostles rejoiced that they were counted _worthy_ to suffer in the
+cause of CHRIST. Having succeeded in getting my hand into my pocket, I
+produced a Chinese card (if the large red paper, bearing one's name, may
+be so called), and after this was treated with more respect. I demanded
+it should be given to the chief official of the place, and that we
+should be led to his office. Before this we had been unable, say what we
+would, to persuade them that we were foreigners, although we were both
+in English attire.
+
+Oh the long weary streets that we were dragged through! I thought they
+would never end; and seldom have I felt more thankful than when we
+stopped at a place where we were told a mandarin resided. Quite
+exhausted, bathed in perspiration, and with my tongue cleaving to the
+roof of my mouth, I leaned against the wall, and saw that Mr. Burdon was
+in much the same condition. I requested them to bring us chairs, but
+they told us to wait; and when I begged them to give us some tea,
+received only the same answer. Round the doorway a large crowd had
+gathered; and Mr. Burdon, collecting his remaining strength, preached
+CHRIST JESUS to them. Our cards and books had been taken in to the
+mandarin, but he proved to be one of low rank, and after keeping us
+waiting for some time he referred us to his superiors in office.
+
+Upon hearing this, and finding that it was their purpose to turn us out
+again into the crowded streets, we positively refused to move a single
+step, and insisted on chairs being brought. After some demur this was
+done; we seated ourselves in them, and were carried on. On the road we
+felt so glad of the rest which the chairs afforded us, and so thankful
+at having been able to preach JESUS in spite of Satan's malice, that our
+joy was depicted on our countenances; and as we passed along we heard
+some say that we did not look like bad men, while others seemed to pity
+us. When we arrived at the magistrate's office, I wondered where we were
+being taken; for though we passed through some great gates that looked
+like those of the city wall, we were still evidently within the city. A
+second pair of gates suggested the idea that it was a prison into which
+we were being carried; but when we came in sight of a large tablet, with
+the inscription "_Ming chï fu mu_" (the father and mother of the
+people), we felt that we had been conveyed to the right place; this
+being the title assumed by the mandarins.
+
+Our cards were again sent in, and after a short delay we were taken into
+the presence of Ch'en Ta Lao-ie (the Great Venerable Father Ch'en), who,
+as it proved, had formerly been Tao-tai of Shanghai, and consequently
+knew the importance of treating foreigners with courtesy. Coming before
+him, some of the people fell on their knees and bowed down to the
+ground, and my conductor motioned for me to do the same, but without
+success. This mandarin, who seemed to be the highest authority of
+T'ung-chau, and wore an opaque blue button on his cap, came out to meet
+us, and treated us with every possible token of respect. He took us to
+an inner apartment, a more private room, but was followed by a large
+number of writers, runners, and other semi-officials. I related the
+object of our visit, and begged permission to give him copies of our
+books and tracts, for which he thanked me. As I handed him a copy of the
+New Testament with part of the Old (from Genesis to Ruth) and some
+tracts, I tried to explain a little about them, and also to give him a
+brief summary of our teachings. . . . He listened very attentively, as of
+course did all the others present. He then ordered some refreshments to
+be brought in, which were very welcome, and himself partook of them with
+us.
+
+After a long stay, we asked permission to see something of the city, and
+to distribute the books we had brought, before our return. To this he
+kindly consented. We then mentioned that we had been most
+disrespectfully treated as we came in, but that we did not attach much
+importance to the fact, being aware that the soldiers knew no better.
+Not desiring, however, to have such an experience repeated, we requested
+him to give orders that we were not to be further molested. This also he
+promised to do, and with every possible token of respect accompanied us
+to the door of his official residence, sending several runners to see
+that we were respectfully treated. We distributed our books well and
+quickly, and left the city quite in state. It was amusing to us to see
+the way in which the runners made use of their tails. When the street
+was blocked by the crowd, they turned them into whips, and laid them
+about the people's shoulders to right and left!
+
+We had a little trouble in finding our wheel-barrows; but eventually
+succeeding, we paid off the chair coolies, mounted our humble vehicles,
+and returned to the river, accompanied for fully half the distance by an
+attendant from the magistrate's office. Early in the evening we got back
+to the boats in safety, sincerely thankful to our Heavenly FATHER for
+His gracious protection and aid.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+WITH THE REV. WILLIAM BURNS
+
+
+AFTER the retaking of Shanghai by the Imperialists, in February 1855, I
+was enabled to rent a house within the walls of the native city, and
+gladly availed myself of this opportunity to reside amidst the crowded
+population left to inhabit the ruins that had survived the war. Here I
+made my headquarters, though often absent on more or less prolonged
+itinerations.
+
+At the suggestion of the Rev. Dr. Medhurst, the veteran leader of the
+London Mission, I was led at about this period to adopt the native
+costume in preference to foreign dress, to facilitate travel and
+residence inland. The Chinese had permitted a foreign firm to build a
+silk factory some distance inland, with the proviso that the style of
+building must be purely Chinese, and that there should be nothing
+external to suggest that it was foreign. Much benefit was found to
+result from this change of costume; and I, and most of those associated
+with me, have continued to use native dress.
+
+The T'ai-p'ing rebellion, commenced in 1851, had by this time reached
+the height of its ephemeral success. The great city of Nan-king had
+fallen before the invading host; and there, within two hundred miles of
+Shanghai, the rebels had established their headquarters, and proceeded
+to fortify themselves for further conquests. During the summer of 1855
+various attempts were made to visit the leaders of the movement, in
+order to bring to bear some decidedly Christian influence upon them; but
+so little success was met with, that these efforts were abandoned.
+
+I, amongst others, had sought to reach Nan-king; but finding it
+impossible to do so, turned my attention again to evangelistic work on
+the island of Ts'ung-ming. After some time I was enabled so far to
+overcome the prejudice and fears of the people as to rent a little house
+and settle down in their midst. This was a great joy and encouragement
+to me; but before many weeks were over complaints were made by the local
+authorities to the British Consul, who compelled me to retire; though
+the French Consul had himself secured to the Romish missionaries a
+property within three or four miles of the house I had to vacate. Sorely
+tried and disappointed by this unexpected hindrance, I reluctantly
+returned to Shanghai, little dreaming of the blessing that GOD had in
+store for me there.
+
+A few months previously the Rev. William Burns, of the English
+Presbyterian Mission, had arrived in that port on his return journey
+from home; and before proceeding to his former sphere of service in the
+southern province of FU-KIEN, he had endeavoured, like myself, without
+success, to visit the T'ai-p'ing rebels at Nan-king. Failing in this
+attempt, he made his headquarters in Shanghai for a season, devoting
+himself to the evangelisation of the surrounding populous regions. Thus
+in the autumn of the year I was providentially led into association with
+this beloved and honoured servant of GOD.
+
+We journeyed together, evangelising cities and towns in southern
+KIANG-SU and north CHEH-KIANG, living in our boats, and following the
+course of the canals and rivers which here spread like a network over
+the whole face of the rich and fertile country. Mr. Burns at that time
+was wearing English dress; but saw that while I was the younger and in
+every way less experienced, I had the quiet hearers, while he was
+followed by the rude boys, and by the curious but careless; that I was
+invited to the homes of the people, while he received an apology that
+the crowd that would follow precluded his being invited. After some
+weeks of observation he also adopted the native dress, and enjoyed the
+increased facilities which it gave.
+
+Those happy months were an unspeakable joy and privilege to me. His love
+for the Word was delightful, and his holy, reverential life and constant
+communings with GOD made fellowship with him satisfying to the deep
+cravings of my heart. His accounts of revival work and of persecutions
+in Canada, and Dublin, and in Southern China were most instructive, as
+well as interesting; for with true spiritual insight he often pointed
+out GOD's purposes in trial in a way that made all life assume quite a
+new aspect and value. His views especially about evangelism as the great
+work of the Church, and the order of lay evangelists as a lost order
+that Scripture required to be restored, were seed-thoughts which were to
+prove fruitful in the subsequent organisation of the China Inland
+Mission.
+
+Externally, however, our path was not always a smooth one; but when
+permitted to stay for any length of time in town or city, the
+opportunity was well utilised. We were in the habit of leaving our
+boats, after prayer for blessing, at about nine o'clock in the morning,
+with a light bamboo stool in hand. Selecting a suitable station, one
+would mount the stool and speak for twenty minutes, while the other was
+pleading for blessing; and then changing places, the voice of the first
+speaker had a rest. After an hour or two thus occupied, we would move on
+to another point at some distance from the first, and speak again.
+Usually about midday we returned to our boats for dinner, fellowship,
+and prayer, and then resumed our out-door work until dusk. After tea and
+further rest, we would go with our native helpers to some tea-shop,
+where several hours might be spent in free conversation with the people.
+Not infrequently before leaving a town we had good reason to believe
+that much truth had been grasped; and we placed many Scriptures and
+books in the hands of those interested. The following letter was written
+by Mr. Burns to his mother at home in Scotland about this time:--
+
+
+                            "TWENTY-FIVE MILES FROM SHANGHAI,
+                                        _January 26th, 1856_.
+
+          "Taking advantage of a rainy day which confines me
+          to my boat, I pen a few lines, in addition to a
+          letter to Dundee, containing particulars which I
+          need not repeat. It is now forty-one days since I
+          left Shanghai on this last occasion. A young
+          English missionary, Mr. Taylor, of the Chinese
+          Evangelisation Society, has been my companion
+          during these weeks--he in his boat, and I in
+          mine--and we have experienced much mercy, and on
+          some occasions considerable assistance in our
+          work.
+
+          "I must once more tell the story I have had to
+          tell already more than once--how four weeks ago,
+          on December 29th, I put on the Chinese dress,
+          which I am now wearing. Mr. Taylor had made this
+          change a few months before, and I found that he
+          was, in consequence, so much less incommoded in
+          preaching, etc., by the crowd, that I concluded it
+          was my duty to follow his example. We were at that
+          time more than double the distance from Shanghai
+          that we are now, and would still have been at as
+          great a distance had we not met at one place with
+          a band of lawless people, who demanded money and
+          threatened to break our boats if their demands
+          were refused. The boatmen were very much alarmed,
+          and insisted on returning to some place nearer
+          home. These people had previously broken in,
+          violently, a part of Mr. Taylor's boat, because
+          their unreasonable demand for books was not
+          complied with.
+
+          "We have a large, very large, field of labour in
+          this region, though it might be difficult in the
+          meantime for one to establish himself in any
+          particular place; the people listen with
+          attention, but we need the Power from on High to
+          convince and convert. Is there any spirit of
+          prayer on our behalf among GOD's people in
+          Kilsyth? or is there any effort to seek this
+          spirit? How great the need is, and how great the
+          arguments and motives for prayer in this case. The
+          harvest here is indeed great, and the labourers
+          are few, and imperfectly fitted without much grace
+          for such a work. And yet grace can make the few
+          and feeble instruments the means of accomplishing
+          great things--things greater than we can even
+          conceive."
+
+The incident referred to in this letter, which led to our return to
+Shanghai more speedily than we had at first intended, took place on the
+northern border of CHEH-KIANG. We had reached a busy market town known
+by the name of Wu-chen, or Black Town, the inhabitants of which, we had
+been told, were the wildest and most lawless people in that part of the
+country. Such indeed we found them to be: the town was a refuge for salt
+smugglers and other bad characters. The following extracts are taken
+from my journal, written at the time:--
+
+
+                                                  _January 8th, 1856._
+
+Commenced our work in Wu-chen this morning by distributing a large
+number of tracts and some Testaments. The people seemed much surprised,
+and we could not learn that any foreigner had been here before. We
+preached twice--once in the temple of the God of War, and afterwards in
+an empty space left by a fire, which had completely destroyed many
+houses. In the afternoon we preached again to a large and attentive
+audience on the same site; and in the evening adjourned to a tea-shop,
+where we had a good opportunity of speaking until it got noised abroad
+that we were there, when, too many people coming in, we were obliged to
+leave. Our native assistants, Tsien and Kuei-hua, were able, however, to
+remain. Returning to our boats, we spoke to a number of people standing
+on a bridge, and felt we had abundant reason to be thankful and
+encouraged by the result of our first day's labour.
+
+
+                                                   _January 10th._
+
+First sent Tsien and Kuei-hua to distribute some sheet tracts. After
+their return we went with them, and in a space cleared by fire we
+separated, and addressed two audiences. On our return to the boats for
+lunch, we found people waiting, as usual, and desiring books. Some were
+distributed to those who were able to read them; and then asking them
+kindly to excuse us while we took our midday meal, I went into my boat
+and shut the door.
+
+Hardly was there time to pour out a cup of tea when a battering began,
+and the roof was at once broken in. I went out at the back, and found
+four or five men taking the large lumps of frozen earth turned up in a
+field close by--weighing, I should suppose, from seven to fourteen
+pounds each--and throwing them at the boat. Remonstrance was of no
+avail, and it was not long ere a considerable part of the upper
+structure of the boat was broken to pieces, and a quantity of earth
+covered the things inside. Finally, Tsien got a boat that was passing to
+land him at a short distance, and by a few tracts drew away the
+attention of the men, thus ending the assault.
+
+We now learned that of those who had done the mischief only two were
+natives of the place, the others being salt smugglers, and that the
+cause was our not having satisfied their unreasonable demand for books.
+Most providentially no one was injured; and as soon as quiet was
+somewhat restored, we all met in Mr. Burns's boat and joined in
+thanksgiving that we had been preserved from personal harm, praying also
+for the perpetrators of the mischief, and that it might be over-ruled
+for good to us and to those with us. We then took our lunch and went on
+shore, and but a few steps from the boats addressed a large multitude
+that soon assembled. We were specially assisted; never were we heard
+with more attention, and not one voice was found to sympathise with the
+men who had molested us. In the evening, at the tea-shops, the same
+spirit was manifested, and some seemed to hear with joy the glad tidings
+of salvation through a crucified and risen SAVIOUR.
+
+As we came home we passed a barber's shop still open, and I went in, and
+while getting my head shaved had an opportunity of speaking to a few
+people, and afterwards pasted a couple of sheet tracts on the wall for
+the benefit of future customers.
+
+
+                                                      _January 11th._
+
+A respectable shop-keeper of the name of Yao, who on the first or second
+day of our stay at Wu-chen had received portions of the New Testament
+and a tract, came yesterday, when our boat was broken, to beg for some
+more books. At that time we were all in confusion from the damage done,
+and from the earth thrown into the boat, and so invited him to come
+again in a day or two's time, when we would gladly supply him. This
+morning he appeared and handed in the following note:--
+
+"On a former day I begged Burns and Taylor, the two '_Rabbis_,' to give
+me good books. It happened at that time those of our town whose hearts
+were deceived by _Satan_, not knowing the _Son of David_, went so far as
+to dare to '_raca_' and '_moreh_' and injure your respected boat. I
+thank you for promising afterwards to give the books, and beg the
+following: Complete New Testament, 'Discourse of a Good Man when near
+his Death,' 'Important Christian Doctrines,' an Almanack, 'Principles of
+Christianity,' 'Way to make the World happy,'--of each one copy. Sung
+and Tsien, and all teachers I hope are well. Further compliments are
+unwritten."
+
+This note is interesting, as showing that he had been reading the New
+Testament attentively, as the italicised words were all taken from it.
+His use of "raca" and "moreh" for reviling, shows their meaning was not
+lost upon him.
+
+After supplying this man, we went out with Tsien and Kuei-hua to the
+east of the town, and spoke in the street for a short time. Upon
+returning to the boats, I was visited by two CHIH-LI men, who are in the
+magistrate's office here. I was greatly helped in speaking to them of a
+crucified SAVIOUR in the Mandarin dialect; and though one of them did
+not pay much attention, the other did, and made inquiries that showed
+the interest he was feeling. When they had left, I went on shore and
+spoke to the people collected there, to whom Kuei-hua had been
+preaching. The setting sun afforded a parable, and reminded one of the
+words of JESUS, "The night cometh, when no man can work;" and as I spoke
+of the uncertain duration of this life, and of our ignorance as to the
+time of CHRIST'S return, a degree of deep seriousness prevailed that I
+had never previously witnessed in China. I engaged in prayer, and the
+greatest decorum was observed. I then returned to my boat with a
+Buddhist priest who had been in the audience, and he admitted that
+Buddhism was a system of deceit that could give no hope in death.
+
+
+                                                      _January 12th._
+
+In the afternoon we addressed the people on shore close to our boats,
+also in one of the streets of the city, and in a tea-shop, books being
+distributed on each occasion. In the evening we went as usual to speak
+in the tea-shops, but determined to go to the opposite end of the town,
+in order to afford those who lived there a better opportunity of meeting
+with us. It was a long straggling place, nearly two English miles in
+length. As Mr. Burns and I were accustomed to talk together in Chinese,
+this conclusion was known to those in the boats.
+
+After we had proceeded a short distance we changed our minds, and went
+instead to the usual tea-shop, thinking that persons might have gone
+there expecting to meet us. But this was not the case; and we did not
+find such serious hearers as we had done on previous occasions. On this
+account Mr. Burns proposed leaving earlier than usual, and we did so,
+telling Tsien and Kuei-hua that they might remain a little longer.
+Returning to the boats, we gave away a few books; but, singularly
+enough, were left to go alone, no one accompanying us, as is so
+generally the case. Instead of being a clear night, as it was when we
+started, we found that it had become intensely dark. On our way we met
+the boatman, whose manner seemed very strange, and without giving us any
+explanation he blew out the candle of our lantern; we relighted the
+lantern, telling him not to put it out again, when to our surprise he
+deliberately removed the candle and threw it into the canal. He then
+walked down along a low wall jutting out to the river's edge, and gazed
+into the water.
+
+Not knowing what was the matter with him, I ran forward to hold him,
+fearful lest he were going to drown himself; but to my great relief he
+came quietly back. In answer to our repeated questions he told us not to
+speak, for some bad men were seeking to destroy the boats, and they had
+moved away to avoid them. He then led us to the place where one of them
+was lying. Before long Tsien and Kuei-hua came and got safely on board,
+and soon after we were joined by the teacher Sung, and the boat moved
+away.
+
+The cause of all this disturbance was then explained. A man professing
+to be the constable had come to the boats in our absence, with a written
+demand for ten dollars and a quantity of opium. He stated that there
+were more than fifty country people (salt smugglers) awaiting our reply
+in an adjoining tea-shop; and if we gave them what they wanted, and
+three hundred cash to pay for their tea, we might remain in peace; but
+that if not, they would come at once and destroy our boats. Sung told
+them that we could not comply with their demand; for, not being engaged
+in trade, but only in preaching and book-distribution, we had not an
+atom of opium, and that our money was nearly all expended. The man,
+however, told him plainly that he did not believe him, and Sung had no
+alternative but to seek us out, desiring the man to await our reply. Not
+knowing that we had changed our plans, he sought us in the wrong
+direction, and of course in vain.
+
+In the meanwhile the boatmen had succeeded in moving off. They were very
+much alarmed; and having so recently had proof of what these men would
+do in open daylight, felt no desire to experience what they might
+attempt by night. Moving away, therefore, they had separated, so that if
+one boat should be injured the other might afford us a refuge. It was
+after this that we had providentially met the boatman, and had been
+safely led on board. As Sung repassed the place where we were previously
+moored, he saw between the trees a dozen or more men, and heard them
+inquiring where the boats had gone to; but no one could tell.
+Fortunately they sought in vain.
+
+After a while the two boats joined, and rowed together for some time. It
+was already late, and to travel by night in that part of the country was
+not the way to avoid danger from evil men; so the question arose as to
+what should be done. This we left for the boatmen to decide; they had
+moved off of their own accord, and we felt that whatever we personally
+might desire we could not constrain others to remain in a position of
+danger on our account. We urged them, however, to do quickly whatever
+they intended to do, as the morrow was the LORD'S DAY, when we should
+not wish to travel. We also informed them that wherever we were we must
+fulfil our mission, and preach the Gospel; it therefore made but little
+difference where we might stay, for even if we passed the night
+unperceived, we were sure to be found out on the following morning. The
+men consequently concluded that we might as well return to the place
+from which we had started; to this we fully agreed, and they turned back
+accordingly. But--whether by accident or no we could not tell--they got
+into another stream, and rowed for some time they knew not whither. At
+last, as it was very dark, they moored for the night.
+
+We then called all the boatmen together, with our native assistants, and
+read to them the ninety-first Psalm. It may be imagined how appropriate
+to our position and need and how sweetly consoling was this portion of
+GOD'S Word:--
+
+  "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the MOST HIGH
+   Shall abide under the shadow of the ALMIGHTY.
+   I will say of the LORD, _He_ is my refuge and my fortress:
+   My GOD; in Him will I trust.
+
+  "Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,
+   And from the noisome pestilence.
+
+   He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings
+         shalt thou trust:
+   His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
+   Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;
+   Nor for the arrow that flieth by day.
+
+  "Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him.
+   I will set him on high, because he hath known My Name.
+   He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
+   I will be with him in trouble;--I will deliver him, and honour him.
+   With long life will I satisfy him,--and show him My salvation."
+
+Committing ourselves in prayer to His care and keeping Who had covered
+us with thick darkness and permitted us to escape from the hand of the
+violent, we retired for the night; which--thanks to the kind protection
+of the WATCHMAN OF ISRAEL, who neither slumbers nor forgets His
+people--we passed in peace and quietness, and were enabled, in some
+measure, to realise the truth of that precious word, "_Thou_ art my
+_Hiding-place_, and my _Shield_."
+
+
+                                             _Sunday, January 13th._
+
+This morning I was awakened about 4 A.M. by violent pain in the
+knee-joint. I had bruised it the day before, and severe inflammation was
+the result. To my great surprise I heard the rain pouring down in
+torrents, the weather having previously been particularly fine. On
+looking out, we found ourselves so near our former stopping-place, that,
+had nothing happened to prevent it, we should not have felt justified in
+neglecting to go into the town to preach as usual; but the rain was so
+heavy all day that no one could leave the boats. Thus we enjoyed a
+delightful day of rest, such as we had not had for some time; and the
+weather prevented much inquiry being made for us. Had the day been fine
+we should most likely have been discovered, even if we had not left the
+boats. As it was, we were allowed to think in peace, with wonder and
+gratitude, of the gracious dealings of our GOD, who had thus led us
+apart into "a desert place" to rest awhile.
+
+
+                                                _Monday, January 14th._
+
+A cloudless morning. One of the native assistants went before daybreak
+to get some clothes which had been given out for washing. He came back
+with the tidings that, notwithstanding the drenching rain of yesterday,
+men had been seeking us in all directions. We had been kept, however, in
+peace and safety "under the shadow of the Almighty."
+
+The boatmen were now so thoroughly alarmed that they would stay no
+longer, and moved off at dawn. I was confined to my quarters by
+lameness, and had no alternative but to go with them. In the afternoon
+we reached Ping-wang, on the way to Shanghai.
+
+          "Ill that GOD blesses is our good,
+                And unblest good is ill;
+           And all is right that seems most wrong,
+                If it be His sweet will."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+CALLED TO SWATOW
+
+
+HAVING to leave the neighbourhood of Black Town thus unexpectedly was a
+real disappointment to us, as we had hoped to spend some time
+evangelising in that district. We were to prove, however, that no
+unforeseen mischance had happened, but that these circumstances which
+seemed so trying were necessary links in the chain of a divinely ordered
+providence, guiding to other and wider spheres.
+
+GOD does not permit persecution to arise without sufficient reason. . . .
+He was leading us by a way that we knew not; but it was none the less
+His way.
+
+          "O LORD, how happy should we be
+           If we would cast our care on Thee,
+             If we from self would rest;
+           And feel at heart that One above,
+           In perfect wisdom, perfect love,
+             Is working for the best!"
+
+When we reached Shanghai, thinking to return inland in a few days with
+fresh supplies of books and money, we met a Christian captain who had
+been trading at Swatow, and he put very strongly before us the need of
+that region, and the fact that there were British merchants living on
+Double Island, selling opium and engaged in the coolie trade
+(practically a slave traffic), while there was no British missionary to
+preach the Gospel. The SPIRIT OF GOD impressed me with the feeling that
+this was His call, but for days I felt that I could not obey it. I had
+never had such a spiritual father as Mr. Burns; I had never known such
+holy, happy fellowship; and I said to myself that it could not be GOD'S
+will that we should separate.
+
+In great unrest of soul I went one evening, with Mr. Burns, to take tea
+at the house of the Rev. R. Lowrie, of the American Presbyterian
+Mission, at the South Gate of Shanghai. After tea Mrs. Lowrie played
+over to us "The Missionary Call."[2] I had never heard it before, and it
+greatly affected me. My heart was almost broken before it was finished,
+and I said to the LORD, in the words that had been sung--
+
+                        "And I will go!
+  I may no longer doubt to give up friends, and idol hopes,
+  And every tie that binds my heart. . . .
+  Henceforth, then, it matters not, if storm or sunshine
+         be my earthly lot, bitter or sweet my cup;
+  I only pray, GOD, make me holy,
+  And my spirit nerve for the stern hour of strife."
+
+Upon leaving I asked Mr. Burns to come home with me to the little house
+that was still my headquarters in the native city, and there, with many
+tears, told him how the LORD had been leading me, and how rebellious I
+had been and unwilling to leave him for this new sphere of labour. He
+listened with a strange look of surprise, and of pleasure rather than
+pain; and answered that he had determined that very night to tell me
+that he had heard the LORD'S call to Swatow, and that his one regret had
+been the prospect of the severance of our happy fellowship. We went
+together; and thus was recommenced missionary work in that part of
+China, which in later years has been so abundantly blessed.
+
+Long before this time the Rev. R. Lechler, of the Basel Missionary
+Society, had widely itinerated in the neighbourhood of Swatow and the
+surrounding regions. Driven about from place to place, he had done work
+that was not forgotten, although ultimately he was obliged to retire to
+Hong-kong. For more than forty years this earnest-hearted servant of GOD
+has continued in "labours more abundant"; and quite recently he has left
+Hong-kong, with his devoted wife, to return again inland, and spend the
+strength of his remaining years amongst the people he has so long and
+truly loved.
+
+Captain Bowers, the Christian friend who had been used of GOD in
+bringing the needs of Swatow before Mr. Burns and myself, was overjoyed
+when he heard of our decision to devote ourselves to the evangelisation
+of that busy, important, and populous mart. Being about to sail himself
+on his return journey, he gladly offered us free passages on board the
+_Geelong_, in which we left Shanghai early in the month of March 1856.
+
+A favourable journey of six days brought us to Double Island, where we
+found ourselves landed in the midst of a small but very ungodly
+community of foreigners, engaged in the opium trade and other commercial
+enterprises. Unwilling to be in any way identified with these
+fellow-countrymen, we were most desirous of obtaining quarters at once
+within the native city, situated on a promontory of the mainland, five
+miles farther up, at the mouth of the Han river. Great difficulty was
+experienced in this attempt to obtain a footing amongst the people.
+Indeed, it seemed as though we should fail altogether, and we were
+helplessly cast upon the LORD in prayer. Our GOD soon undertook for us.
+Meeting one day with a Cantonese merchant, a relative of the highest
+official in the town, Mr. Burns addressed him in the Cantonese dialect;
+this gentleman was so pleased at being spoken to by a foreigner in his
+own tongue that he became our friend, and secured us a lodging. We had
+only one little room, however, and not easily shall I forget the long
+hot summer months in that oven-like place, where towards the eaves one
+could touch the heated tiles with one's hand. More room or better
+accommodation it was impossible to obtain.
+
+We varied our stay by visits to the surrounding country; but the
+difficulties and dangers that encountered us here were so great and
+constant, that our former work in the North began to appear safe and
+easy in comparison. The hatred and contempt of the Cantonese was very
+painful, "foreign devil," "foreign dog," or "foreign pig" being the
+commonest appellations; but all this led us into deeper fellowship than
+I had ever known before with Him who was "despised and rejected of men."
+
+In our visits to the country we were liable to be seized at any time and
+held to ransom; and the people commonly declared that the whole district
+was "without emperor, without ruler, and without law." Certainly, might
+was right in those days. On one occasion we were visiting a small town,
+and found that the inhabitants had captured a wealthy man of another
+clan. A large ransom was demanded for his release, and on his refusing
+to pay it they had smashed his ankle-bones, one by one, with a club, and
+thus extorted the promise they desired. There was nothing but GOD'S
+protection to prevent our being treated in the same way. The towns were
+all walled, and one such place would contain ten or twenty thousand
+people of the same clan and surname, who were frequently at war with the
+people living in the next town. To be kindly received in one place was
+not uncommonly a source of danger in the next. In circumstances such as
+these the preserving care of our GOD was often manifested.
+
+After a time the local mandarin became ill, and the native doctors were
+unable to relieve him. He had heard from some who had been under my
+treatment of the benefit derived, and was led to seek our help. GOD
+blessed the medicines given, and grateful for relief, he advised our
+renting a house for a hospital and dispensary. Having his permission, we
+were able to secure the entire premises, one room of which we had
+previously occupied. I had left my stock of medicine and surgical
+instruments under the care of my friend, the late Mr. Wylie, in
+Shanghai, and went back at once to fetch them.
+
+Mr. Burns came down from a town called Am-po, that we had visited
+together several times, to see me off, and returned again when I had
+sailed, with two native evangelists sent up from Hong-kong by the Rev.
+J. Johnson, of the American Baptist Missionary Union. The people were
+willing to listen to their preaching, and to accept their books as a
+gift, but they would not buy them. One night robbers broke in and
+carried off everything they had, with the exception of their stock of
+literature, which was supposed to be valueless. Next morning, very
+early, they were knocked up by persons wishing to buy books, and the
+sales continued; so that by breakfast time they had not only cash enough
+to procure food, but to pay also for the passage of one of the men to
+Double Island, below Swatow, with a letter to Mr. Burns's agent to
+supply him with money. Purchasers continued coming during that day and
+the next, and our friends lacked nothing; but on the third day they
+could not sell a single book. Then, however, when the cash from their
+sales was just exhausted, the messenger returned with supplies.
+
+It was early in July, after about four months' residence in Swatow, that
+I left for Shanghai, intending to return in the course of a few weeks,
+bringing with me my medical apparatus, for further work in association
+with the Rev. William Burns. A new and promising field seemed to be
+opening before us, and it was with much hopeful anticipation that we
+looked forward to the future of the work. Marked blessing was indeed in
+store for the city and neighbourhood of Swatow; but it was not the
+purpose of GOD that either of us should remain to reap the harvest. Mr.
+Burns while in the interior was taken up and imprisoned by the Chinese
+authorities soon after I left, and was sent to Canton. And though he
+returned to Swatow after the war had broken out, he was called away for
+other service, which prevented his subsequent return; while my journey
+to Shanghai proved to be the first step in a diverging pathway leading
+to other spheres.
+
+FOOTNOTE:
+
+[2] For words and music see the end of this chapter.
+
+
+[Illustration: Music: The Missionary Call]
+
+"THE MISSIONARY CALL"
+
+  1. My soul is not at rest.
+  There comes a strange
+  and secret whisper to
+  my. . . .
+  spirit, like a dream of night,
+  that tells me
+  I am on enchanted
+  ground.
+
+
+  CHORUS FOR FIRST FOUR VERSES.
+
+  _Vivace._ The voice of my departed LORD, "Go, teach all nations,"
+
+  Comes on the night air and awakes mine ear.
+
+
+  CHORUS FOR LAST VERSE.
+
+  Through ages of eternal years,
+  My spirit never shall repent,
+  that toil and suff'ring once were mine . . . below.
+
+
+  2. Why live I here? the vows of GOD are | on me; | and I may not stop
+  to play with shadows or pluck earthly flowers, | till I my work
+  have done, and | rendered up ac | count.
+
+  3. And I will | go! | I may no longer doubt to give up friends,
+  and idol | hopes, | and every tie that binds my heart to | thee, my |
+  country.
+
+  4. Henceforth, then, it matters not, if storm or sunshine be my |
+  earthly lot, | bitter or sweet my | cup; | I only pray: "GOD make me
+  holy, and my spirit nerve for the stern | hour of strife!"
+
+  5. And when one for whom Satan hath struggled as he hath for | me, |
+  has gained at last that blessed | shore, | Oh! how this heart will
+  glow with | gratitude and | love.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+MAN PROPOSES, GOD DISPOSES
+
+
+IT is interesting to notice the various events which united, in the
+providence of GOD, in preventing my return to Swatow, and ultimately led
+to my settling in Ningpo, and making that the centre for the development
+of future labours.
+
+Upon reaching Shanghai, great was my dismay to find that the premises in
+which my medicines and instruments had been stored were burnt down, and
+that all the medicines and many of the instruments were entirely
+destroyed. To me this appeared a great calamity, and I fear I was more
+disposed with faithless Jacob to say, "All these things are against me,"
+than to recognise that "All things work together for good." I had not
+then learned to think of GOD as the One Great Circumstance "in Whom we
+live, and move, and have our being"; and of _all_ lesser, external
+circumstances, as necessarily the kindest, wisest, best, because either
+ordered or permitted by Him. Hence my disappointment and trial were very
+great.
+
+Medicines were expensive in Shanghai, and my means were limited. I
+therefore set out on an inland journey to Ningpo, hoping to obtain a
+supply from Dr. William Parker, a member of the same mission as myself.
+I took with me my few remaining possessions, the principal being my
+watch, a few surgical instruments, a concertina, books for the study of
+Chinese, which in those days were very expensive; but left behind in
+Shanghai a portion of my money.
+
+The country through which I had to pass was suffering much from drought;
+it was the height of summer; and the water in the Grand Canal was very
+low, having been largely drawn upon for the neighbouring rice fields, as
+well as evaporated by the intense heat. I had determined to make the
+journey as much of a mission tour as possible, and set out well supplied
+with Christian tracts and books. After fourteen days spent in travelling
+slowly through the populous country, preaching and distributing books,
+etc., we reached a large town called Shih-mun-wan, and here, finding
+that my supply of literature was exhausted, I determined not to linger
+over the rest of the journey, but to reach Ningpo as speedily as
+possible, _viâ_ the city of Hai-ning.
+
+
+                                                    _August 4th, 1856._
+
+There was no water beyond Shih-mun-wan, so I paid off my boat, hired
+coolies to carry my things as far as to Chang-gan, and ere sunrise we
+were on the way. I walked on alone, leaving my servant to follow with
+the men, who made frequent stoppages to rest; and on reaching a city
+through which we had to pass, I waited for them in a tea-shop just
+outside the North Gate. The coolies came on very slowly, and seemed
+tired when they arrived. I soon found that they were both opium-smokers,
+so that, although they had only carried a load that one strong man would
+think nothing of taking three times the distance, they really seemed
+wearied.
+
+After some rice and tea and an hour's rest--including, I doubt not, a
+smoke of the opium pipe--they were a little refreshed, and I proposed
+moving on, that we might get to Chang-gan before the sun became too
+powerful. My servant, however, had a friend in the city, and he desired
+to spend the day there, and to go on next morning. But to this I
+objected, wishing to reach Hai-ning that night if possible. . . . We
+therefore set off, entered the North Gate, and had passed through about
+a third of the city, when the coolies stopped to rest, and said they
+should be unable to carry the burden on to Chang-gan. Finally, they
+agreed to take it to the South Gate, where they were to be paid in
+proportion to the distance they had carried it; and the servant
+undertook to call other coolies and come along with them.
+
+I walked on before as in the first instance, and the distance being only
+about four miles, soon reached Chang-gan, and waited their arrival,
+meanwhile engaging coolies for the rest of the journey to Hai-ning.
+Having waited a long time, I began to wonder at the delay; and at length
+it became too late to finish the journey to Hai-ning that night. I felt
+somewhat annoyed; and but that my feet were blistered, and the afternoon
+very hot, I should have gone back to meet them and urge them on. At last
+I concluded that my servant must have gone to his friend's, and would
+not appear until evening. But evening came, and still there was no sign
+of them.
+
+Feeling very uneasy, I began diligently to inquire whether they had been
+seen. At last a man responded, "Are you a guest from Shih-mun-wan?" I
+answered in the affirmative. "Are you going to Hai-ning?" "That is my
+destination." "Then your things have gone on before you; for I was
+sitting in a tea-shop when a coolie came in, took a cup of tea, and set
+off for Hai-ning in a great hurry, saying that the bamboo box and bed he
+carried, which were just such as you describe yours to have been, were
+from Shih-mun-wan, and he had to take them to Hai-ning to-night, where
+he was to be paid at the rate of ten cash a pound." From this I
+concluded that my goods were on before me; but it was impossible to
+follow them at once, for I was too tired to walk, and it was already
+dark.
+
+Under these circumstances all I could do was to seek a lodging for the
+night; and no easy task I found it. After raising my heart to GOD to ask
+His aid, I walked through to the farther end of the town, where I
+thought the tidings of a foreigner's being in the place might not have
+spread, and looked out for an inn. I soon came to one, and went in,
+hoping that I might pass unquestioned, as it was already dark. Asking
+the bill of fare, I was told that cold rice--which proved to be more
+than "rather burnt"--and snakes, fried in lamp-oil, were all that could
+be had. Not wishing any question to be raised as to my nationality, I
+was compelled to order some, and tried to make a meal, but with little
+success.
+
+While thus engaged I said to the landlord, "I suppose I can arrange to
+spend the night here?"
+
+To which he replied in the affirmative; but bringing out his book, he
+added--
+
+"In these unsettled times we are required by the authorities to keep a
+record of our lodgers: may I ask your respected family name?"
+
+"My unworthy family name is Tai," I responded.
+
+"And your honourable second name?"
+
+"My humble name is Ia-koh" (James).
+
+"What an extraordinary name! I never heard it before. How do you write
+it?"
+
+I told him, and added, "It is a common name in the district from which I
+come."
+
+"And may I ask whence you come and whither you are going?"
+
+"I am journeying from Shanghai to Ningpo, by way of Hang-chau."
+
+"What may be your honourable profession?"
+
+"I heal the sick."
+
+"Oh! you are a physician," the landlord remarked; and to my intense
+relief closed the book. His wife, however, took up the conversation.
+
+"You are a physician, are you?" said she; "I am glad of that, for I have
+a daughter afflicted with leprosy. If you will cure her, you shall have
+your supper and bed for nothing."
+
+I was curious enough to inquire what my supper and bed were to cost, if
+paid for; and to my amusement found they were worth less than
+three-halfpence of our money!
+
+Being unable to benefit the girl, I declined to prescribe for her,
+saying that leprosy was a very intractable disease, and that I had no
+medicines with me.
+
+The mother, however, brought pen and paper, urging, "You can at least
+write a prescription, which will do no harm, if it does no good."
+
+But this also I declined to do, and requested to be shown my bed. I was
+conducted to a very miserable room on the ground-floor, where, on some
+boards raised upon two stools, I passed the night, without bed or
+pillow, save my umbrella and shoe, and without any mosquito netting. Ten
+or eleven other lodgers were sleeping in the same room, so I could not
+take anything off, for fear of its being stolen; but I was, I found, by
+no means too warm as midnight came on.
+
+
+                                                    _August 5th._
+
+As may be supposed, I arose but little rested or refreshed, and felt
+very far from well. I had to wait a long time ere breakfast was
+obtainable, and then there was another delay before I could get change
+for the only dollar I had with me, in consequence of its being chipped
+in one or two places. More than three hundred cash also were deducted
+from its price on this account, which was a serious loss to me in my
+trying position.
+
+I then sought throughout the town for tidings of my servant and coolies,
+as I thought it possible that they might have arrived later, or have
+come on in the morning. The town is large, long, and straggling, being
+nearly two miles from one end to the other, so this occupied some time.
+I gained no information, however; and, footsore and weary, set out for
+Hai-ning in the full heat of the day. The journey--about eight
+miles--took me a long time; but a halfway village afforded a
+resting-place and a cup of tea, both of which I gladly availed myself
+of. When about to leave again, a heavy shower of rain came on, and the
+delay thus occasioned enabled me to speak a little to the people about
+the truths of the Gospel.
+
+The afternoon was far spent before I approached the northern suburb of
+Hai-ning, where I commenced inquiries, but could hear no tidings of my
+servant or things. I was told that outside the East Gate I should be
+more likely to hear of them, as it was there the sea-junks called. I
+therefore proceeded thither, and sought for them outside the Little East
+Gate, but in vain. Very weary, I sat down in a tea-shop to rest; and
+while there a number of persons from one of the mandarin's offices came
+in, and made inquiries as to who I was, where I had come from, etc. On
+learning the object of my search, one of the men in the tea-shop said,
+"A bamboo box and a bed, such as you describe, were carried past here
+about half an hour ago. The bearer seemed to be going towards either the
+Great East Gate or the South Gate; you had better go to the hongs there
+and inquire." I asked him to accompany me in the search, and promised to
+reward him for his trouble, but he would not. Another man offered to go
+with me, so we set off together, and both inside and outside the two
+gates made diligent inquiries, but all in vain. I then engaged a man to
+make a thorough search, promising him a liberal reward if he should be
+successful. In the meantime I had some dinner, and addressed a large
+concourse of people who had gathered together.
+
+When he returned, having met with no success, I said to him, "I am now
+quite exhausted: will you help me to find quarters for the night, and
+then I will pay you for your trouble?" He was willing to befriend me,
+and we set off in search of lodgings. At the first place or two the
+people would not receive me; for though on our first going in they
+seemed willing to do so, the presence of a man who followed us, and who,
+I found, was engaged in one of the Government offices, seemed to alarm
+them, and I was refused. We now went to a third place, and being no
+longer followed by the mandarin's messenger, we were promised quarters;
+some tea was brought, and I paid the man who had accompanied me for his
+trouble.
+
+Soon after he was gone some official people came in; they soon went
+away, but the result of their visit was that I was told I could not be
+entertained there that night. A young man present blamed them for their
+heartless behaviour, and said, "Never mind, come with me; and if we
+cannot get better lodgings for you, you shall sleep at our house." I
+went with him, but we found the people of his house unwilling to receive
+me. Weary and footsore, so that I could scarcely stand, I had again to
+seek quarters, and at length got promise of them; but a little crowd
+collecting about the door, they desired me to go to a tea-shop and wait
+there till the people had retired, or they would be unable to
+accommodate me. There was no help for it, so I went, accompanied still
+by the young man, and waited till past midnight. Then we left for the
+promised resting-place; but my conductor would not find it, and he led
+me about to another part of the city; and finally, between one and two
+o'clock, he left me to pass the rest of the night as best I could.
+
+I was opposite a temple, but it was closed; so I lay down on the stone
+steps in front of it, and putting my money under my head for a pillow,
+should soon have been asleep in spite of the cold had I not perceived a
+person coming stealthily towards me. As he approached I saw he was one
+of the beggars so common in China, and had no doubt his intention was to
+rob me of my money. I did not stir, but watched his movements, and
+looked to my FATHER not to leave me in this hour of trial. The man came
+up, looked at me for some time to assure himself that I was asleep (it
+was so dark that he could not see my eyes fixed on him), and then began
+to feel about me gently. I said to him in the quietest tone, but so as
+to convince him that I was not, nor had been, sleeping, "What do you
+want?" He made no answer, but went away.
+
+I was very thankful to see him go, and when he was out of sight put as
+much of my cash as would not go into my pocket safely up my sleeve, and
+made my pillow of a stone projection of the wall. It was not long ere I
+began to doze, but I was aroused by the all but noiseless footsteps of
+two persons approaching; for my nervous system was rendered so sensitive
+by exhaustion that the slightest noise startled me. Again I sought
+protection from Him who alone was my stay, and lay still as before, till
+one of them came up and began to feel under my head for the cash. I
+spoke again, and they sat down at my feet. I asked them what they were
+doing; they replied that they, like me, were going to pass the night
+there. I then requested them to take the opposite side, as there was
+plenty of room, and leave this side to me; but they would not move from
+my feet, so I raised myself up and set my back against the wall.
+
+They said, "You had better lie down and sleep; if you do not, you will
+be unable to walk to-morrow. Do not be afraid; we shall not leave you,
+and will see that no one hurts you."
+
+"Listen to me," I replied. "I do not want your protection; I need it
+not; I am not a Chinese; I do not worship your senseless, helpless
+idols. I worship GOD; He is my FATHER; I trust in Him. I know well what
+you are, and what your intentions are, and shall keep my eye on you, and
+shall not sleep."
+
+On this, one of them went away, but soon returned with a third
+companion. I felt very uneasy, but looked to GOD for help. Once or twice
+one of them got up to see if I was asleep. I only said, "Do not be
+mistaken; I am not sleeping." Occasionally my head dropped, and this was
+a signal for one of them to rise; but I at once roused myself and made
+some remark. As the night slowly passed on, I felt very weary; and to
+keep myself awake, as well as to cheer my mind, I sang several hymns,
+repeated aloud some portions of Scripture, and engaged in prayer in
+English, to the great annoyance of my companions, who seemed as if they
+would have given anything to get me to desist. After that they troubled
+me no more; and shortly before dawn of day they left me, and I got a
+little sleep.
+
+
+                                                    _August 6th._
+
+I was awakened by the young man who had so misled me on the previous
+evening. He was very rude, and insisted on my getting up and paying him
+for his trouble, and even went so far as to try to accomplish by force
+what he wanted. This roused me; and in an unguarded moment, with very
+improper feeling, I seized his arm with such a grasp as he little
+expected I was capable of, and dared him to lay a finger upon me again
+or to annoy me further. This quite changed his manner; he let me quietly
+remain till the guns announced the opening of the gates of the city, and
+then he begged me to give him some money to buy opium with. It is
+needless to say this was refused. I gave him the price of two candles,
+that he said he had burnt while with me last night and no more. I
+learned he was connected with one of the mandarin's offices.
+
+As soon as possible, I bought some rice gruel and tea for breakfast, and
+then once more made a personal search after my things. Some hours thus
+spent proving unavailing, I set out on the return journey, and after a
+long, weary, and painful walk reached Chang-gan about noon. Here also my
+inquiries failed to give me any trace of the missing goods; so I had a
+meal cooked in a tea-shop, got a thorough wash and bathed my inflamed
+feet, and after dinner rested and slept till four in the afternoon.
+
+Much refreshed, I then set on to return to the city, at the South Gate
+of which I had parted with my servant and coolies two days before. On
+the way I was led to reflect on the goodness of GOD, and recollected
+that I had not made it a matter of prayer that I might be provided with
+lodgings last night. I felt condemned, too, that I should have been so
+anxious for my few things, while the many precious souls around me had
+caused so little emotion. I came as a sinner and pleaded the blood of
+JESUS, realising that I was accepted in Him--pardoned, cleansed,
+sanctified--and oh the love of JESUS, how great I felt it to be! I knew
+something more than I had ever previously known of what it was to be
+despised and rejected, and to have nowhere to lay one's head; and I felt
+more than ever I had done before the greatness of that love which
+induced Him to leave His home in glory and suffer thus for me; nay, to
+lay down His very life upon the Cross. I thought of Him as "despised and
+rejected of men, a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief"; I thought
+of Him at Jacob's well, weary, hungry, and thirsty, yet finding it His
+meat and drink to do His Father's will; and contrasted this with my
+littleness of love. I looked to Him for pardon for the past, and for
+grace and strength to do His will in the future, to tread more closely
+in His footsteps, and be more than ever wholly His. I prayed for myself,
+for friends in England, and for my brethren in the work. Sweet tears of
+mingled joy and sorrow flowed freely, the road was almost forgotten, and
+before I was aware of it I had reached my destination. Outside the South
+Gate I took a cup of tea, asked about my lost luggage, and spoke of the
+love of JESUS. Then I entered the city, and after many vain inquiries
+left it by the North Gate.
+
+I felt so much refreshed both in mind and body by the communion I had on
+my walk to the city that I thought myself able to finish the remaining
+six miles back to Shih-mun-wan that evening. First I went into another
+tea-shop to buy some native cakes, and was making a meal of them when
+who should come in but one of the identical coolies who had carried my
+things the first stage. From him I learned that after I left them they
+had taken my luggage to the South Gate; there my servant went away,
+saying on his return that I had gone on, that he did not intend to start
+at once, but would spend the day with his friend, and then rejoin me;
+they carried the things to this friend's house, and left them there. I
+got him to go with me to the house, and there learned that the man had
+spent the day and night with them, and next morning had called other
+coolies, and set off for Hang-chau. This was all I could gather; so,
+unable to do anything but proceed on my return journey to Shanghai with
+all expedition, I left the city again. It was now too late to go on to
+Shih-mun-wan. I looked to my FATHER as able to supply all my need, and
+received another token of His ceaseless love and care, being invited to
+sleep on a hong-boat, now dry in the bed of the river. The night was
+again very cold and the mosquitoes troublesome. Still, I got a little
+rest, and at sunrise was up and continued my journey.
+
+
+                                                    _August 7th._
+
+I felt very ill at first, and had a sore throat, but reflected on the
+wonderful goodness of GOD in enabling me to bear the heat by day and the
+cold by night so long. I felt also that quite a load was now taken off
+my mind. I had committed myself and my affairs to the LORD, and knew
+that if it was for my good and for His glory my things would be
+restored; if not, all would be for the best. I hoped that the most
+trying part of my journey was now drawing to a close, and this helped
+me, weary and footsore, on the way. When I got to Shih-mun-wan and had
+breakfasted, I found I had still eight hundred and ten cash in hand; and
+I knew that the hong-boat fare to Kia-hing Fu was one hundred and twenty
+cash, and thence to Shanghai three hundred and sixty, leaving me just
+three hundred and thirty cash--or twelve pence and a fraction--for three
+or four days provisions. I went at once to the boat office, but to my
+dismay found that from the dry state of the river goods had not come
+down, so that no boat would leave to-day and perhaps none to-morrow. I
+inquired if there were no letter-boats for Kia-hing Fu, and was told
+that they had already left. The only remaining resource was to ascertain
+if any private boats were going in which I could get a passage. My
+search, however, was in vain; and I could get no boat to undertake to go
+all the way to Shanghai, or my difficulty would have been at an end.
+
+Just at this juncture I saw before me, at a turn in the canal, a
+letter-boat going in the direction of Kia-hing Fu This, I concluded,
+must be one of the Kia-hing boats that had been unexpectedly detained,
+and I set off after it as fast as hope and the necessities of the case
+would carry me. For the time being weariness and sore feet were alike
+forgotten. After a chase of about a mile I overtook it.
+
+"Are you going to Kia-hing Fu?" I called out.
+
+"No," was the only answer.
+
+"Are you going in that direction?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Will you give me a passage as far as you do go that way?"
+
+Still "No," and nothing more.
+
+Completely dispirited and exhausted, I sank down on the grass and
+fainted away.
+
+As consciousness returned some voices reached my ear, and I found they
+were talking about me. One said, "He speaks pure Shanghai dialect," and
+from their own speech I knew them to be Shanghai people. Raising myself,
+I saw that they were on a large hong-boat on the other side of the
+canal, and after a few words they sent their small boat to fetch me, and
+I went on board the junk. They were very kind, and gave me some tea; and
+when I was refreshed and able to partake of it, some food also. I then
+took my shoes and stockings off to ease my feet, and the boatman kindly
+provided me with hot water to bathe them. When they heard my story, and
+saw the blisters on my feet, they evidently pitied me, and hailed every
+boat that passed to see if it was going my way. Not finding one, by and
+by, after a few hours' sleep, I went ashore with the captain, intending
+to preach in the temple of Kwan-ti.
+
+Before leaving the junk I told the captain and those on board that I was
+now unable to help myself; that I had not strength to walk to Kia-hing
+Fu, and having been disappointed in getting a passage to-day, I should
+no longer have sufficient means to take me there by letter-boat, which
+was an expensive mode of travelling; that I knew not how the GOD whom I
+served would help me, but that I had no doubt He would do so; and that
+my business now was to serve Him where I was. I also told them that the
+help which I knew would come ought to be an evidence to them of the
+truth of the religion which I and the other missionaries at Shanghai
+preached.
+
+On our way to the town, while engaged in conversation with the captain,
+we saw a letter-boat coming up. The captain drew my attention to it; but
+I reminded him that I had no longer the means of paying my passage by
+it. He hailed it, nevertheless, and found that it was going to a place
+about nine English miles from Shanghai, whence one of the boatmen would
+carry the mails overland to the city. He then said, "This gentleman is a
+foreigner from Shanghai, who has been robbed, and has no longer the
+means of returning. If you will take him with you as far as you go, and
+then engage a sedan chair to carry him the rest of the way, he will pay
+you in Shanghai. You see my boat is lying aground yonder for want of
+water, and cannot get away. Now, I will stand surety; and if this
+gentleman does not pay when you get to Shanghai, I will do so on your
+return." This unsolicited kindness on the part of a Chinaman, a perfect
+stranger, will appear the more remarkable to any one acquainted with the
+character of the Chinese, who are generally most reluctant to risk their
+money. Those on the letter-boat agreeing to the terms, I was taken on
+board as a passenger. Oh, how thankful I felt for this providential
+interposition, and to be once more on my way to Shanghai!
+
+Letter-boats such as the one on which I was now travelling are of a
+long narrow build, and very limited as to their inside accommodation.
+One has to lie down all the time they are in motion, as a slight
+movement would easily upset them. This was no irksome condition to me,
+however; on the contrary, I was only too glad to be quiet. They are the
+quickest boats I have seen in China. Each one is worked by two men, who
+relieve one another continuously night and day. They row with their
+feet, and paddle with their hands; or if the wind is quite favourable,
+row with their feet, and with one hand manage a small sail, while
+steering with the other.
+
+After a pleasant and speedy journey, I reached Shanghai in safety on
+August 9th, through the help of Him who has said, "I will never leave
+thee, nor forsake thee;" "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of
+the world."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+PROVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE
+
+
+IT now seemed very clear that the lost property--including everything I
+possessed in China, with the exception of a small sum of money
+providentially left in Shanghai--had been deliberately stolen by my
+servant, who had gone off with it to Hang-chau. The first question, of
+course, was how best to act for the good of the man who had been the
+cause of so much trouble. It would not have been difficult to take steps
+that would have led to his punishment; though the likelihood of any
+reparation being made for the loss sustained was very small. But the
+consideration which weighed most heavily was that the thief was a man
+for whose salvation I had laboured and prayed; and I felt that to
+prosecute him would not be to emphasise the teaching of the Sermon on
+the Mount, in which we had read together, "Resist not evil," and other
+similar precepts. Finally, concluding that his soul was of more value
+than the £40 worth of things I had lost, I wrote and told him this,
+urging upon him his need of repentance and faith in the LORD JESUS
+CHRIST. The course I took commended itself to my Christian friends in
+England, one of whom was afterwards led to send me a cheque for £40--the
+first of many subsequently received from the same kind helper.
+
+Having obtained the little money left in Shanghai, I again set out for
+Ningpo, to seek assistance from Dr. Parker in replacing the medicines I
+had previously lost by fire. This being satisfactorily accomplished, I
+returned once more to Shanghai, _en route_ for Swatow, hoping soon to
+rejoin my much-loved friend, Mr. Burns, in the work in that important
+centre. GOD had willed it otherwise, however; and the delay caused by
+the robbery was just sufficient to prevent me from starting for the
+South as I had intended.
+
+Over the political horizon storm-clouds had long been gathering,
+precursors of coming war; and early in October of this year (1856) the
+affair of the Lorcha _Arrow_ at Canton led to the definite commencement
+of hostilities. Very soon China was deeply involved in a second
+prolonged struggle with foreign powers; and missionary operations, in
+the South at any rate, had to be largely suspended. Tidings of these
+events, together with letters from Mr. Burns, arrived just in time to
+meet me in Shanghai as I was leaving for Swatow; and thus hindered, I
+could not but realise the hand of GOD in closing the door I had so much
+desired to enter.
+
+While in Ningpo, I had made the acquaintance of Mr. John Jones, who,
+with Dr. Parker, represented the Chinese Evangelisation Society in that
+city. Hindered from returning to Swatow, I now decided to join these
+brethren in the Ningpo work, and set out at once upon the journey. On
+the afternoon of the second day, when already about thirty miles distant
+from Shanghai, Mr. Jones and I drew near the large and important city of
+Sung-kiang, and I spoke of going ashore to preach the Gospel to the
+thronging multitudes that lined the banks and crowded the approaches to
+the city gates.
+
+Among the passengers on board the boat was one intelligent man, who in
+the course of his travels had been a good deal abroad, and had even
+visited England, where he went by the name of Peter. As might be
+expected, he had heard something of the Gospel, but had never
+experienced its saving power. On the previous evening I had drawn him
+into earnest converse about his soul's salvation. The man listened with
+attention, and was even moved to tears, but still no definite result was
+apparent. I was pleased, therefore, when he asked to be allowed to
+accompany me, and to hear me preach.
+
+I went into the cabin of the boat to prepare tracts and books for
+distribution on landing with my Chinese friend, when suddenly I was
+startled by a splash and a cry from without. I sprang on deck, and took
+in the situation at a glance. Peter was gone! The other men were all
+there, on board, looking helplessly at the spot where he had
+disappeared, but making no effort to save him. A strong wind was
+carrying the junk rapidly forward in spite of a steady current in the
+opposite direction, and the low-lying, shrubless shore afforded no
+landmark to indicate how far we had left the drowning man behind.
+
+I instantly let down the sail and leapt overboard in the hope of finding
+him. Unsuccessful, I looked around in agonising suspense, and saw close
+to me a fishing-boat with a peculiar drag-net furnished with hooks,
+which I knew would bring him up.
+
+"Come!" I cried, as hope revived in my heart. "Come and drag over this
+spot directly; a man is drowning just here!"
+
+"Veh bin" (It is not convenient), was the unfeeling answer.
+
+"Don't talk of _convenience_!" cried I in an agony; "a man is drowning,
+I tell you!"
+
+"We are busy fishing," they responded, "and cannot come."
+
+"Never mind your fishing," I said, "I will give you more money than many
+a day's fishing will bring; only come--come at once!"
+
+"How much money will you give us?"
+
+"We cannot stay to discuss that now! Come, or it will be too late. I
+will give you five dollars" (then worth about thirty shillings in English
+money).
+
+"We won't do it for that," replied the men. "Give us twenty dollars, and
+we will drag."
+
+"I do not possess so much: do come quickly, and I will give you all I
+have!"
+
+"How much may that be?"
+
+&#8220;I don't know exactly, about fourteen dollars."
+
+At last, but even then slowly enough, the boat was paddled over, and the
+net let down. Less than a minute sufficed to bring up the body of the
+missing man. The fishermen were clamorous and indignant because their
+exorbitant demand was delayed while efforts at resuscitation were being
+made. But all was in vain--life was extinct.
+
+To myself this incident was profoundly sad and full of significance,
+suggesting a far more mournful reality. Were not those fishermen
+actually guilty of this poor Chinaman's death, in that they had the
+means of saving him at hand, if they would but have used them? Assuredly
+they were guilty. And yet, let us pause ere we pronounce judgment
+against them, lest a greater than Nathan answer, "_Thou art the man_."
+Is it so hard-hearted, so wicked a thing to neglect to save the body? Of
+how much sorer punishment, then, is he worthy who leaves the soul to
+perish, and Cain-like says, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The LORD JESUS
+commands, commands _me_, commands _you_, my brother, and _you_, my
+sister. "Go," says He, "go ye into _all_ the world, and preach the
+Gospel to _every_ creature." Shall we say to _Him_, "No, it is not
+convenient"? shall we tell _Him_ that we are busy fishing and cannot
+go? that we have bought a piece of ground and cannot go? that we have
+purchased five yoke of oxen, or have married, or are engaged in other
+and more interesting pursuits, and cannot go? Ere long "we must all
+appear before the judgment seat of CHRIST; that every one may receive
+the things done in his body." Let us remember, let us pray for, let us
+labour for the unevangelised Chinese; _or we shall sin against our own
+souls_. Let us consider _Who_ it is that has said, "If thou _forbear_ to
+deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be
+slain; if thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that
+pondereth the heart consider it? and He that keepeth _thy_ soul, doth
+not he know it? and shall not He render to every man according to his
+works?"
+
+          Through midnight gloom from Macedon,
+          The cry of myriads as of one;
+          The voiceful silence of despair
+          Is eloquent in awful prayer:
+          The soul's exceeding bitter cry,
+          "Come o'er and help us, or we die."
+
+          How mournfully it echoes on,
+          For half the earth is Macedon;
+          These brethren to their brethren call,
+          And by the Love which loves them all,
+          And by the whole world's Life they cry,
+          "O ye that live, behold we die!"
+
+          By other sounds the world is won
+          Than that which wails from Macedon;
+          The roar of gain is round it rolled,
+          Or men unto themselves are sold,
+          And cannot list the alien cry,
+          "O hear and help us, lest we die!"
+
+          Yet with that cry from Macedon
+          The very car of CHRIST rolls on:
+          "_I come; who would abide My day,_
+          _In yonder wilds prepare My way;_
+          _My voice is crying in their cry,_
+          _Help ye the dying, lest ye die_."
+
+          JESU, for men of Man the SON,
+          Yea, THINE the cry from Macedon;
+          Oh, by the kingdom and the power
+          And glory of Thine advent hour,
+          Wake heart and will to hear their cry:
+          Help us to help them, lest we die.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+SETTLEMENT IN NINGPO
+
+
+THE autumn of 1856 was well advanced before I reached Ningpo, one of the
+most ancient and influential cities on the coast of China. Opened to the
+residence of foreigners in 1842 by the treaty of Nan-king, it had long
+been the scene of missionary labours. Within its thronging thoroughfares
+the busy tide of life runs high. Four hundred thousand human beings
+dwell within or around the five miles circuit of its ancient wall, every
+one a soul that JESUS loves, for whom He died.
+
+As winter drew on I rented a native house in Wu-gyiao-deo, or Lake Head
+Street. It was not then a very comfortable residence. I have a very
+distinct remembrance of tracing my initials on the snow which during the
+night had collected upon my coverlet in the large barn-like upper room,
+now subdivided into four or five smaller ones, each of which is
+comfortably ceiled. The tiling of an unceiled Chinese house may keep off
+the rain--if it happens to be sound--but it does not afford so good a
+protection against snow, which will beat up through crannies and
+crevices, and find its way within. But however unfinished may have been
+its fittings, the little house was well adapted for work amongst the
+people; and there I thankfully settled down, finding ample scope for
+service,--morning, noon, and night.
+
+During the latter part of this year my mind was greatly exercised about
+continued connection with my Society, it being frequently in debt.
+Personally I had always avoided debt, and kept within my salary, though
+at times only by very careful economy. Now there was no difficulty in
+doing this, for my income was larger, and the country being in a more
+peaceful state, things were not so dear. But the Society itself was in
+debt. The quarterly bills which I and others were instructed to draw
+were often met by borrowed money, and a correspondence commenced which
+terminated in the following year by my resigning from conscientious
+motives.
+
+To me it seemed that the teaching of GOD'S Word was unmistakably clear:
+"Owe no man any thing." To borrow money implied, to my mind, a
+contradiction of Scripture--a confession that GOD had withheld some good
+thing, and a determination to get for ourselves what He had not given.
+Could that which was wrong for one Christian to do be right for an
+association of Christians? Or could any amount of precedents make a
+wrong course justifiable? If the Word taught me anything, it taught me
+to have no connection with debt. I could not think that GOD was poor,
+that He was short of resources, or unwilling to supply any want of
+whatever work was really His. It seemed to me that if there were lack of
+funds to carry on work, then to that degree, in that special
+development, or at that time, it could not be the work of GOD. To
+satisfy my conscience I was therefore compelled to resign connection
+with the Society which had hitherto supplied my salary.
+
+It was a great satisfaction to me that my friend and colleague, Mr.
+Jones, also of the Chinese Evangelisation Society, was led to take the
+same step; and we were both profoundly thankful that the separation
+took place without the least breach of friendly feeling on either side.
+Indeed, we had the joy of knowing that the step we took commended itself
+to several members of the Committee, although as a whole the Society
+could not come to our position. Depending upon GOD alone for supplies,
+we were enabled to continue a measure of connection with our former
+supporters, sending home journals, etc., for publication as before, so
+long as the Society continued to exist.
+
+The step we had taken was not a little trying to faith. I was not at all
+sure what GOD would have me do, or whether He would so meet my need as
+to enable me to continue working as before. I had no friends whatever
+from whom I expected supplies. I did not know what means the LORD might
+use; but I was willing to give up all my time to the service of
+evangelisation among the heathen, if by any means He would supply the
+smallest amount on which I could live; and if He were not pleased to do
+this, I was prepared to undertake whatever work might be necessary to
+supply myself, giving all the time that could be spared from such a
+calling to more distinctly missionary efforts. But GOD blessed and
+prospered me; and how glad and thankful I felt when the separation was
+really effected! I could look right up into my FATHER'S face with a
+satisfied heart, ready, by His grace, to do the next thing as He might
+teach me, and feeling very sure of His loving care.
+
+And how blessedly He did lead me on and provide for me I can never,
+never tell. It was like a continuation of some of my earlier home
+experiences. My faith was not untried; it often, often failed, and I was
+so sorry and ashamed of the failure to trust such a FATHER. But oh! I
+was learning to know Him. I would not even then have missed the trial.
+He became so near, so real, so intimate. The occasional difficulty about
+funds never came from an insufficient supply for personal needs, but in
+consequence of ministering to the wants of scores of the hungry and
+dying ones around us. And trials far more searching in other ways quite
+eclipsed these difficulties; and being deeper, brought forth in
+consequence richer fruits. How glad one is now, not only to know, with
+dear Miss Havergal, that----
+
+          "They who trust Him wholly
+              Find Him wholly true,"
+
+but also that when we fail to trust fully He still remains unchangingly
+faithful. He _is_ wholly true whether we trust or not. "If we believe
+not, He abideth faithful; He cannot deny Himself." But oh, how we
+dishonour our LORD whenever we fail to trust Him, and what peace,
+blessing, and triumph we lose in thus sinning against the Faithful One!
+May we never again presume in anything to doubt Him!
+
+The year 1857 was a troublous time, and closed with the notorious
+bombardment of Canton by the British, and the commencement of our second
+Chinese war. Rumours of trouble were everywhere rife, and in many places
+the missionaries passed through not a little danger. In Ningpo this was
+especially the case, and the preserving care of GOD in answer to prayer
+was consequently most marked. When the awful news of the bombardment of
+Canton reached the Cantonese in Ningpo their wrath and indignation knew
+no bounds, and they immediately set to work to plot the destruction of
+all the foreigners resident in the city and neighbourhood. It was well
+known that many of the foreigners were in the habit of meeting for
+worship every Sunday evening at one of the missionary houses, and the
+plan was to surround the place on a given occasion and make short work
+of all present, cutting off afterwards any who might not be present.
+
+The sanction of the Tao-t'ai, or chief civil magistrate of the city, was
+easily obtained; and nothing remained to hinder the execution of the
+plot, of which the foreigners were of course entirely in ignorance. (A
+similar plot against the Portuguese a few months later was carried out,
+and between fifty and sixty were massacred in open daylight.) It so
+happened, however, that one of those acquainted with the conspiracy had
+a friend engaged in the service of the missionaries; and anxious for his
+safety, he was led to warn him of the coming danger, and urge his
+leaving foreign employ. The servant made the matter known to his master,
+and thus the little community became aware of their peril. Realising the
+gravity of the situation, they determined to meet together at the house
+of one of their number to seek the protection of the Most High, and to
+hide under the shadow of His wings. Nor did they thus meet in vain.
+
+At the very time we were praying the LORD was working. He led an
+inferior mandarin, the Superintendent of Customs, to call upon the
+Tao-t'ai, and remonstrate with him upon the folly of permitting such an
+attempt, which he assured him would rouse the foreigners in other places
+to come with armed forces to avenge the death of their countrymen and
+raze the city to the ground. The Tao-t'ai replied that, when the
+foreigners came for that purpose, he should deny all knowledge of or
+complicity in the plot, and so direct their vengeance against the
+Cantonese, who would in their turn be destroyed; "and thus," said he,
+"we shall get rid of both Cantonese and foreigners by one stroke of
+policy." The Superintendent of Customs assured him that all such
+attempts at evasion would be useless; and, finally, the Tao-t'ai sent to
+the Cantonese, withdrawing his permission, and prohibiting the attack.
+This took place at the very time when we were asking protection of the
+LORD, though we did not become acquainted with the facts until some
+weeks later. Thus again we were led to prove that--
+
+          "Sufficient is His arm alone,
+              And our defence is sure."
+
+I cannot attempt to give any historical record of the events of this
+period, but ere 1857 terminated Mr. Jones and I were cheered by tokens
+of blessing. It is interesting to recall the circumstances connected
+with the first profession of faith in Christ, which encouraged us.
+
+On one occasion I was preaching the glad tidings of salvation through
+the finished work of CHRIST, when a middle-aged man stood up, and
+testified before his assembled countrymen to his faith in the power of
+the Gospel.
+
+"I have long sought for the Truth," said he earnestly, "as my fathers
+did before me; but I have never found it. I have travelled far and near,
+but without obtaining it. I have found no rest in Confucianism,
+Buddhism, or Taoism; but I do find rest in what I have heard here
+to-night. Henceforth I am a believer in JESUS."
+
+This man was one of the leading officers of a sect of reformed Buddhists
+in Ningpo. A short time after his confession of faith in the SAVIOUR
+there was a meeting of the sect over which he had formerly presided. I
+accompanied him to that meeting, and there, to his former
+co-religionists, he testified of the peace he had obtained in believing.
+Soon after, one of his former companions was converted and baptized.
+Both now sleep in JESUS. The first of these two long continued to preach
+to his countrymen the glad tidings of great joy. A few nights after his
+conversion he asked how long this Gospel had been known in England. He
+was told that we had known it for some hundreds of years.
+
+"What!" said he, amazed; "is it possible that for hundreds of years you
+have had the knowledge of these glad tidings in your possession, and yet
+have only now come to preach it to us? My father sought after the Truth
+for more than twenty years, and died without finding it. Oh, why did you
+not come sooner?"
+
+A whole generation has passed away since that mournful inquiry was made;
+but how many, alas! might repeat the same question to-day? More than two
+hundred millions in the meanwhile have been swept into eternity, without
+an offer of salvation. How long shall this continue, and the MASTER'S
+words, "To every creature," remain unheeded?
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+TIMELY SUPPLIES
+
+
+NOT infrequently our GOD brings His people into difficulties on purpose
+that they may come to know Him as they could not otherwise do. Then He
+reveals Himself as "a very present help in trouble," and makes the heart
+glad indeed at each fresh revelation of a FATHER'S faithfulness. We who
+only see so small a part of the sweet issues of trial often feel that we
+would not for anything have missed them; how much more shall we bless
+and magnify His Name when all the hidden things are brought to light!
+
+In the autumn of 1857, just one year after I came to settle in Ningpo, a
+little incident occurred that did much to strengthen our faith in the
+loving-kindness and ever-watchful care of GOD.
+
+A brother in the LORD, the Rev. John Quarterman, of the American
+Presbyterian Mission North, was taken with virulent small-pox, and it
+was my mournful privilege to nurse him through his suffering illness to
+its fatal close. When all was over, it became necessary to lay aside the
+garments worn while nursing, for fear of conveying the infection to
+others. Not having sufficient money in hand to purchase what was needful
+in order to make this change, prayer was the only resource. The LORD
+answered it by the unexpected arrival of a long-lost box of clothing
+from Swatow, that had remained in the care of the Rev. William Burns
+when I left him for Shanghai, in the early summer of the previous year.
+The arrival of the things just at this juncture was as appropriate as it
+was remarkable, and brought a sweet sense of the FATHER'S own providing.
+
+About two months later the following was penned:----
+
+
+                                            _November 18th, 1857._
+
+Many seem to think that I am very poor. This certainly is true enough in
+one sense, but I thank GOD it is "as poor, yet making many rich; as
+having nothing, yet possessing all things." And my GOD shall supply
+_all_ my need; to Him be all the glory. I would not, if I could, be
+otherwise than I am--entirely dependent myself upon the LORD, and used
+as a channel of help to others.
+
+On Saturday, the 4th inst., our regular home mail arrived. That morning
+we supplied, as usual, a breakfast to the destitute poor, who came to
+the number of seventy. Sometimes they do not reach forty, at others
+again exceeding eighty. They come to us every day, LORD'S Day excepted,
+for then we cannot manage to attend to them and get through all our
+other duties too. Well, on that Saturday morning we paid all expenses,
+and provided ourselves for the morrow, after which we had not a single
+dollar left between us. How the LORD was going to provide for Monday we
+knew not; but over our mantelpiece hung two scrolls in the Chinese
+character--_Ebenezer_, "Hitherto hath the LORD helped us"; and
+_Jehovah-Jireh_, "The LORD will provide"--and He kept us from doubting
+for a moment. That very day the mail came in, _a week sooner than was
+expected_, and Mr. Jones received a bill for two hundred and fourteen
+dollars. We thanked GOD and took courage. The bill was taken to a
+merchant, and although there is usually a delay of several days in
+getting the change, this time he said, "Send down on Monday." We sent,
+and though he had not been able to buy all the dollars, he let us have
+seventy on account; so all was well. Oh, it is sweet to live thus
+directly dependent upon the LORD, who never fails us!
+
+On Monday the poor had their breakfast as usual, for we had not told
+them not to come, being assured that it was the LORD'S work, and that
+the LORD would provide. We could not help our eyes filling with tears of
+gratitude when we saw not only our own needs supplied, but the widow and
+the orphan, the blind and the lame, the friendless and the destitute,
+together provided for by the bounty of Him who feeds the ravens. "O
+magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His Name together. . . . Taste
+and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.
+O fear the LORD, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear
+Him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the
+LORD shall not want any good thing"--and if not good, why want it?
+
+But even two hundred dollars cannot last for ever, and by New Year's Day
+supplies were again getting low. At last, on January 6th, 1858, only one
+solitary cash remained--the twentieth part of a penny--in the joint
+possession of Mr. Jones and myself; but though tried we looked to GOD
+once again to manifest His gracious care. Enough provision was found in
+the house to supply a meagre breakfast; after which, having neither food
+for the rest of the day, nor money to buy any, we could only betake
+ourselves to Him who was able to supply all our need with the petition,
+"Give us this day our daily bread."
+
+After prayer and deliberation we thought that perhaps we ought to
+dispose of something we possessed in order to meet our immediate
+requirements. But on looking round we saw nothing that we could well
+spare, and little that the Chinese would purchase for ready money.
+Credit to any extent we might have had, could we conscientiously have
+availed ourselves of it, but this we felt to be unscriptural in itself,
+as well as inconsistent with the position we were in. We had, indeed,
+one article--an iron stove--which we knew the Chinese would readily
+purchase; but we much regretted the necessity of parting with it. At
+length, however, we set out to the founder's, and after a walk of some
+distance came to the river, which we had intended to cross by a floating
+bridge of boats; but here the LORD shut up our path. The bridge had been
+carried away during the preceding night, and the river was only passable
+by means of a ferry, the fare for which was two cash each person. As we
+only possessed one cash, our course clearly was to return and await
+GOD'S own interposition on our behalf.
+
+Upon reaching home, we found that Mrs. Jones had gone with the children
+to dine at a friend's house, in accordance with an invitation accepted
+some days previously. Mr. Jones, though himself included in the
+invitation, refused now to go and leave me to fast alone. So we set to
+work and carefully searched the cupboards; and though there was nothing
+to eat, we found a small packet of cocoa, which, with a little hot
+water, somewhat revived us. After this we again cried to the LORD in our
+trouble, and the LORD heard and saved us out of all our distresses. For
+while we were still upon our knees a letter arrived from England
+containing a remittance.
+
+This timely supply not only met the immediate and urgent need of the
+day; for in the assured confidence that GOD, whose we were and whom we
+served, would not put to shame those whose whole and only trust was in
+Himself. My marriage had been previously arranged to take place just
+fourteen days after this date. And this expectation was not
+disappointed; for "the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed,
+but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant
+of My peace be removed." And although during subsequent years our faith
+was often exercised, and sometimes severely, He ever proved faithful to
+His promise, and never suffered us to lack any good thing.
+
+Never, perhaps, was there a union that more fully realised the blessed
+truth, "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour
+of the LORD." My dear wife was not only a precious gift to me; GOD
+blessed her to many others during the twelve eventful years through
+which she was spared to those that loved her and to China.
+
+Hers had been a life connection with missionary work in that great
+empire; for her father, the loved and devoted Samuel Dyer, was amongst
+the very earliest representatives of the London Mission in the East. He
+reached the Straits as early as 1827, and for sixteen years laboured
+assiduously amongst the Chinese in Penang and Singapore, completing at
+the same time a valuable fount of Chinese metallic type, the first of
+the kind that had then been attempted. Dying in 1843, it was never Mr.
+Dyers privilege to realise his hopes of ultimately being able to settle
+on Chinese soil; but his children lived to see the country opened to the
+Gospel, and to take their share in the great work that had been so dear
+to his heart. At the time of her marriage, my dear wife had been already
+living for several years in Ningpo with her friend, Miss Aldersey, in
+whose varied missionary operations she was well qualified to render
+valuable assistance.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+GOD A REFUGE FOR US
+
+
+A SOMEWHAT different though not less manifest answer to prayer was
+vouchsafed early in the year 1859. My dear wife was brought very low by
+illness, and at last all hope of recovery seemed gone. Every remedy
+tried had proved unavailing; and Dr. Parker, who was in attendance, had
+nothing more to suggest. Life was ebbing fast away. The only ground of
+hope was that GOD might yet see fit to raise her up, in answer to
+believing but submissive prayer.
+
+The afternoon for the usual prayer meeting among the missionaries had
+arrived, and I sent in a request for prayer, which was most warmly
+responded to. Just at this time a remedy that had not yet been tried was
+suggested to my mind, and I felt that I must hasten to consult Dr.
+Parker as to the propriety of using it. It was a moment of anguish. The
+hollow temples, sunken eyes, and pinched features denoted the near
+approach of death; and it seemed more than questionable as to whether
+life would hold out until my return. It was nearly two miles to Dr.
+Parker's house, and every moment appeared long. On my way thither, while
+wrestling mightily with GOD in prayer, the precious words were brought
+with power to my soul, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will
+deliver thee, and thou shall glorify Me." I was at once enabled to plead
+them in faith, and the result was deep, deep, unspeakable peace and
+joy. All consciousness of distance was gone. Dr. Parker cordially
+approved of the use of the means suggested, but upon arriving at home I
+saw at a glance that the desired change had taken place in the absence
+of this or any other remedy. The pinched aspect of the countenance had
+given place to the calmness of tranquil slumber, and not one
+unfavourable symptom remained to retard recovery to health and strength.
+
+Spared thus in answer to prayer the loss of my own loved one, it was
+with added sympathy and sorrow that I felt for Dr. Parker, when, in the
+autumn of the same year, his own wife was very suddenly removed. It
+being necessary for the doctor to return at once with his motherless
+children to Glasgow, temporary arrangements had to be made for the
+conduct of the Mission Hospital in Ningpo, for which he alone had been
+responsible. Under these circumstances he requested me to take up the
+work, at least so far as the dispensary was concerned. After a few days'
+waiting upon the LORD for guidance, I felt constrained to undertake not
+only the dispensary work, but also that of the hospital; relying solely
+upon the faithfulness of a prayer-hearing GOD to furnish the means
+required for its support.
+
+The funds for the maintenance of the hospital had hitherto been supplied
+by the proceeds of the doctor's foreign medical practice; and with his
+departure these ceased. But had not GOD said that whatever we ask in the
+Name of the LORD JESUS shall be done? And are we not told to seek first
+the kingdom of GOD, not means to advance it, and that all these things
+shall be added to us? Such promises were surely sufficient. Eight days
+before entering upon this responsibility I had not the remotest idea of
+ever doing so; still less could friends at home have anticipated it.
+But the LORD had foreseen the need, and already funds were on the way to
+supply it.
+
+At times there were not less than fifty in-patients in the hospital,
+besides a large number who daily attended the out-patient department.
+Thirty beds were ordinarily allotted to free patients and their
+attendants; and about as many to opium-smokers, who paid for their board
+while being cured of the habit. As all the wants of the sick in the
+wards were supplied gratuitously, in addition to the remedial appliances
+needed for the out-patient work, the daily expenses were considerable;
+besides which, a number of native attendants were required, involving
+their support.
+
+When Dr. Parker handed the hospital over to me he was able to leave
+money that would meet the salaries and working expenses of the current
+month, and little more. Being unable to guarantee their support, his
+native staff retired; and then I mentioned the circumstances to the
+members of our little church, some of whom volunteered to help me,
+depending, like myself, upon the LORD; and they with me continued to
+wait upon GOD that in some way or other He would provide for His own
+work. Day by day the stores diminished, and they were all but exhausted
+when one day a remarkable letter reached me from a friend in England
+which contained a cheque for £50. The letter stated that the sender had
+recently lost his father, and had inherited his property; that not
+desiring to increase his personal expenditure, he wished to hold the
+money which had now been left to him to further the LORD'S work. He
+enclosed the £50, saying that I might know of some special need for it;
+but leaving me free to use it for my own support, or in any way that the
+LORD might lead me; only asking to know how it was applied, and whether
+there was need for more.
+
+After a little season of thanksgiving with my dear wife, I called my
+native helpers into our little chapel, and translated to them the
+letter. I need not say how rejoiced they were, and that we together
+praised GOD. They returned to their work in the hospital with
+overflowing hearts, and told out to the patients what a GOD was ours;
+appealing to them whether their idols had ever helped them so. Both
+helpers and patients were blessed spiritually through this remarkable
+provision, and from that time the LORD provided all that was necessary
+for carrying on the institution, in addition to what was needed for the
+maintenance of my own family, and for sustaining other branches of
+missionary work under my care. When, nine months later, I was obliged
+through failure of health to relinquish this charge, I was able to leave
+more funds in hand for the support of the hospital than were forthcoming
+at the time I undertook it.
+
+But not only were pecuniary supplies vouchsafed in answer to
+prayer--many lives were spared; persons apparently in hopeless stages of
+disease were restored, and success was given in cases of serious and
+dangerous operations. In the case of one poor man, whose legs were
+amputated under very unfavourable circumstances, healthy action took
+place with such rapidity that both wounds were healed in less than two
+weeks. And more permanent benefits than these were conferred. Many were
+convinced of the truth of Christianity; not a few sought the LORD in
+faith and prayer, and experienced the power of the Great Physician to
+cure the sin-sick soul. During the nine months above alluded to sixteen
+patients from the hospital were baptized, and more than thirty others
+became candidates for admission into one or other of the Christian
+churches in the city.
+
+Thus the year 1860 began with openings on all hands, but time and
+strength were sadly too limited to admit of their being used to the
+best advantage. For some time the help of additional workers had been a
+much-felt need; and in January very definite prayer was made to the LORD
+of the harvest that He would thrust forth more labourers into this
+special portion of the great world-field. Writing to relatives at home
+in England, under date of January 16th, 1860, I thus expressed the deep
+longing of our hearts:--
+
+          Do you know any earnest, devoted young men
+          desirous of serving GOD in China, who--not wishing
+          for more than their actual support--would be
+          willing to come out and labour here? Oh, for four
+          or five such helpers! They would probably begin to
+          preach in Chinese in six months time; and in
+          answer to prayer the necessary means for their
+          support would be found.
+
+But no one came to help us then; and under the incessant physical and
+mental strain involved, in the care of the hospital during Dr. Parker's
+absence, as well as the continued discharge of my other missionary
+duties, my own health began rapidly to fail, and it became a serious
+question as to whether it would not be needful to return to England for
+a time.
+
+It was hard to face this possibility. The growing church and work seemed
+to need our presence, and it was no small trial to part from those whom
+we had learned so truly to love in the LORD. Thirty or forty native
+Christians had been gathered into the recently organised church; and the
+well-filled meetings, and the warm-hearted earnestness of the converts,
+all bespoke a future of much promise. At last, however, completely
+prostrated by repeated attacks of illness, the only hope of restoration
+seemed to lie in a voyage to England and a brief stay in its more
+bracing climate; and this necessity, painful though it seemed at the
+time, proved to be only another opportunity for the manifestation of the
+faithfulness and loving care of Him "who worketh all things after the
+counsel of His own will."
+
+As heretofore, the LORD was present with His aid. The means for our
+journey were supplied, and that so liberally that we were able to bring
+with us a native Christian to assist in translation or other literary
+work, and to instruct in the language such helpers as the LORD might
+raise up for the extension of the Mission. That He would give us
+fellow-labourers we had no doubt; for we had been enabled to seek them
+from Him in earnest and believing prayer for many months previously.
+
+The day before leaving China we wrote as follows to our friend W. T.
+Berger, Esq., whom we had known in England, and who had ever
+strengthened our hands in the LORD while in that distant land:--
+
+"We are bringing with us a young Chinese brother to assist in literary
+work, and I hope also in teaching the dialect to those whom the LORD may
+induce to return with us."
+
+And throughout the voyage our earnest cry to GOD was that He would
+overrule our stay at home for good to China, and make it instrumental in
+raising up at least five helpers to labour in the province of
+CHEH-KIANG.
+
+The way in which it pleased the LORD to answer these earnest and
+believing prayers, and the "exceeding abundantly" with which He crowned
+them, we shall now sketch in brief outline.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A NEW AGENCY NEEDED
+
+
+"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith
+the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways
+higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."[3] How true
+are these words! When the LORD is bringing in great blessing in the best
+possible way, how oftentimes our unbelieving hearts are feeling, if not
+saying, like Jacob of old, "All these things are against me." Or we are
+filled with fear, as were the disciples when the LORD, walking on the
+waters, drew near to quiet the troubled sea, and to bring them quickly
+to their desired haven. And yet mere common-sense ought to tell us that
+He, whose way is perfect, _can_ make no mistakes; that He who has
+promised to "perfect that which concerneth" us, and whose minute care
+counts the very hairs of our heads, and forms for us our circumstances,
+_must_ know better than we the way to forward our truest interests and
+to glorify His own Name.
+
+          "Blind unbelief is _sure_ to err
+             And scan His work in vain;
+           GOD is His own Interpreter,
+             And He will make it plain."
+
+To me it seemed a great calamity that failure of health compelled my
+relinquishing work for GOD in China, just when it was more fruitful than
+ever before; and to leave the little band of Christians in Ningpo,
+needing much care and teaching, was a great sorrow. Nor was the sorrow
+lessened when, on reaching England, medical testimony assured me that
+return to China, at least for years to come, was impossible. Little did
+I then realise that the long separation from China was a necessary step
+towards the formation of a work which GOD would bless as He has blessed
+the CHINA INLAND MISSION. While in the field, the pressure of claims
+immediately around me was so great that I could not think much of the
+still greater needs of the regions farther inland; and, if they were
+thought of, could do nothing for them. But while detained for some years
+in England, daily viewing the whole country on the large map on the wall
+of my study, I was as near to the vast regions of Inland China as to the
+smaller districts in which I had laboured personally for GOD; and prayer
+was often the only resource by which the burdened heart could gain any
+relief.
+
+As a long absence from China appeared inevitable, the next question was
+how best to serve China while in England, and this led to my engaging
+for several years, with the late Rev. F. F. Gough of the C. M. S., in
+the revision of a version of the New Testament in the colloquial of
+Ningpo for the British and Foreign Bible Society. In undertaking this
+work, in my short-sightedness I saw nothing beyond the use that the
+Book, and the marginal references, would be to the native Christians;
+but I have often seen since that, without those months of feeding and
+feasting on the Word of GOD, I should have been quite unprepared to
+form, on its present basis, a mission like the CHINA INLAND MISSION.
+
+In the study of that Divine Word I learned that, to obtain successful
+labourers, not elaborate appeals for help, but, _first_, earnest _prayer
+to GOD to thrust forth labourers_, and, _second_, the deepening of the
+spiritual life of the church, so that _men should be unable to stay at
+home_, were what was needed. I saw that the Apostolic plan was not to
+raise ways and means, but _to go and do the work_, trusting in His sure
+Word who has said, "Seek ye _first_ the Kingdom of GOD and His
+righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
+
+In the meantime the prayer for workers for CHEH-KIANG was being
+answered. The first, Mr. Meadows, sailed for China with his young wife
+in January 1862, through the kind co-operation and aid of our friend Mr.
+Berger. The second left England in 1864, having her passage provided by
+the Foreign Evangelisation Society. The third and fourth reached Ningpo
+on July 24th, 1865. A fifth soon followed them, reaching Ningpo in
+September 1865. Thus the prayer for the five workers was fully answered;
+and we were encouraged to look to GOD for still greater things.
+
+Months of earnest prayer and not a few abortive efforts had resulted in
+a deep conviction that _a special agency was essential_ for the
+evangelisation of Inland China. At this time I had not only the daily
+help of prayer and conference with my beloved friend and fellow-worker
+the late Rev. F. F. Gough, but also invaluable aid and counsel from Mr.
+and Mrs. Berger, with whom I and my dear wife (whose judgment and piety
+were of priceless value at this juncture) spent many days in prayerful
+deliberation. The grave difficulty of possibly interfering with existing
+missionary operations at home was foreseen; but it was concluded that,
+by simple trust in GOD, suitable agency might be raised up and sustained
+without interfering injuriously with any existing work. I had also a
+growing conviction that GOD would have _me_ to seek from Him the needed
+workers, and to go forth with them. But for a long time unbelief
+hindered my taking the first step.
+
+How inconsistent unbelief always is! I had no doubt that, if I prayed
+for workers, "_in_ the Name" of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, they would be
+given me. I had no doubt that, in answer to such prayer, the means for
+our going forth would be provided, and that doors would be opened before
+us in unreached parts of the Empire. But I had not then learned to trust
+GOD for _keeping_ power and grace for myself, so no wonder that I could
+not trust Him to keep others who might be prepared to go with me. I
+feared that in the midst of the dangers, difficulties, and trials which
+would necessarily be connected with such a work, some who were
+comparatively inexperienced Christians might break down, and bitterly
+reproach me for having encouraged them to undertake an enterprise for
+which they were unequal.
+
+Yet, what was I to do? The feeling of blood-guiltiness became more and
+more intense. Simply because I refused to ask for them, the labourers
+did not come forward--did not go out to China--and every day tens of
+thousands were passing away to Christless graves! Perishing China so
+filled my heart and mind that there was no rest by day, and little sleep
+by night, till health broke down. At the invitation of my beloved and
+honoured friend, Mr. George Pearse (then of the Stock Exchange), I went
+to spend a few days with him in Brighton.
+
+On Sunday, June 25th, 1865, unable to bear the sight of a congregation
+of a thousand or more Christian people rejoicing in their own security,
+while millions were perishing for lack of knowledge, I wandered out on
+the sands alone, in great spiritual agony; and there the LORD conquered
+my unbelief, and I surrendered myself to GOD for this service. I told
+Him that all the responsibility as to issues and consequences must rest
+with Him; that as His servant, it was mine to obey and to follow
+Him--His, to direct, to care for, and to guide me and those who might
+labour with me. Need I say that peace at once flowed into my burdened
+heart? There and then I asked Him for twenty-four fellow-workers, two
+for each of eleven inland provinces which were without a missionary, and
+two for Mongolia; and writing the petition on the margin of the Bible I
+had with me, I returned home with a heart enjoying rest such as it had
+been a stranger to for months, and with an assurance that the LORD would
+bless His own work and that I should share in the blessing. I had
+previously prayed, and asked prayer, that workers might be raised up for
+the eleven then unoccupied provinces, and thrust forth and provided for,
+but had not surrendered myself to be their leader.
+
+About this time, with the help of my dear wife, I wrote the little book,
+_China's Spiritual Need and Claims_. Every paragraph was steeped in
+prayer. With the help of Mr. Berger, who had given valued aid in the
+revision of the manuscript, and who bore the expense of printing an
+edition of 3000 copies, they were soon put in circulation. I spoke
+publicly of the proposed work as opportunity permitted, specially at the
+Perth and Mildmay Conferences of 1865, and continued in prayer for
+fellow-workers, who were soon raised up, and after due correspondence
+were invited to my home, then in the East of London. When one house
+became insufficient, the occupant of the adjoining house removed, and I
+was able to rent it; and when that in its turn became insufficient,
+further accommodation was provided close by. Soon there were a number of
+men and women under preparatory training, and engaging in evangelistic
+work which tested in some measure their qualifications as soul-winners.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[3] Isaiah lv. 8, 9.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+THE FORMATION OF THE C. I. M.
+
+
+IT was thus that in the year 1865 the CHINA INLAND MISSION was
+organised; and the workers already in the field were incorporated into
+it. W. T. Berger, Esq., then residing at Saint Hill, near East
+Grinstead, without whose help and encouragement I could not have gone
+forward, undertook the direction of the home department of the work
+during my anticipated absence in China; and I proposed, as soon as
+arrangements could be completed, to go out with the volunteers and take
+the direction of the work in the field. For the support of the workers
+already in China, our friends at home were sending in unsolicited
+contributions from time to time, and every need was met.
+
+We had now, however, to look forward to the outgoing of a party of
+sixteen or seventeen, and estimated that from £1500 to £2000 might be
+required to cover outfits, passage-money, and initial expenses. I wrote
+a little pamphlet, calling it "Occasional Paper, No. I." (intending in
+successive numbers to give to donors and friends accounts of the work
+wrought through us in China), and in that paper stated the anticipated
+needs for floating the enterprise. I expected that GOD would incline the
+hearts of some of the readers to send contributions: I had determined
+never to use personal solicitation, or to make collections, or to issue
+collecting-books. Missionary-boxes were thought unobjectionable, and we
+had a few prepared for those who might ask for them, and have continued
+to use them ever since.
+
+It was February 6th, 1866, when I sent my manuscript of "Occasional
+Paper, No. I.," with a design for the cover, to the printer. From delays
+in engraving and printing, it was March 12th when the bales of pamphlets
+were delivered at my house. Now on February 6th a daily prayer-meeting,
+from 12 to 1 o'clock, had been commenced, to ask for the needed funds.
+And that we had not asked in vain, the following extract from
+"Occasional Paper, No. II." will show:--
+
+"The receipts for 1864 were £51:14s.; for 1865, from January to June,
+£221:12:6, besides two free passages; from June to December, £923:12:8.
+Hindrances having occurred, the MS. of the "Occasional Paper, No. I."
+was not completed till February 6th, 1866. Up to this time we had
+received (from December 30th) £170:8:3.
+
+"We felt much encouraged by the receipt of so much money in little more
+than a month, as it was entirely unsolicited by us--save from GOD. But
+it was also evident that we must ask the LORD to do yet greater things
+for us, or it would be impossible for a party of from ten to sixteen to
+leave in the middle of May. _Daily united prayer was therefore offered
+to_ GOD for the funds needful for the outfits and passages of as many as
+He would have to go out in May.
+
+"Owing to the delays mentioned above in the printing of the 'Occasional
+Paper,' it was not ready for the publisher until March 12th. On this day
+I again examined my mission cash-book, and the comparison of the result
+of the two similar periods of one month and six days each, one before
+and one after special prayer for £1500 to £2000, was very striking:--
+
+          "Receipts from December 30th to February 6th, £170  8  3
+             "    Feb. 6th to Mar. 12th £1774 5 11
+          "Funds advised, since received  200 0  0
+                                         ---------     £1974  5 11
+
+"This, it will be noticed, was _previous_ to the circulation of the
+'Occasional Paper,' and, consequently, was not the result of it. It was
+the response of a faithful GOD to the united prayers of those whom He
+had called to serve Him in the Gospel of His dear SON.
+
+"We can now compare with these two periods a third of the same extent.
+From March 12th to April 18th the receipts were £529, showing that when
+GOD had supplied the special need, the special supply also ceased. Truly
+there is a LIVING GOD, and HE is the hearer and answerer of prayer."
+
+But this gracious answer to prayer made it a little difficult to
+circulate "Occasional Paper, No. I.," for it stated as a need that which
+was already supplied. The difficulty was obviated by the issue with each
+copy of a coloured inset stating that the funds for outfit and passage
+were already in hand in answer to prayer. We were reminded of the
+difficulty of Moses--not a very common one in the present day--and of
+the proclamation he had to send through the camp to the people to
+prepare no more for the building of the Tabernacle, as the gifts in hand
+were already too much. We are convinced that if there were _less_
+solicitation for money and _more_ dependence upon the power of the HOLY
+GHOST and upon the deepening of spiritual life, the experience of Moses
+would be a common one in every branch of Christian work.
+
+Preparations for sailing to China were at once proceeded with. About
+this time I was asked to give a lecture on China in a village not very
+far from London, and agreed to do so on condition that there should be
+no collection, and that this should be announced on the bills. The
+gentleman who invited me, and who kindly presided as chairman, said he
+had never had that condition imposed before. He accepted it, however,
+and the bills were issued accordingly for the 2nd or 3rd of May. With
+the aid of a large map, something of the extent and population and deep
+spiritual need of China was presented, and many were evidently
+impressed.
+
+At the close of the meeting the chairman said that by my request it had
+been intimated on the bills that there would be no collection; but he
+felt that many present would be distressed and burdened if they had not
+the opportunity of contributing something towards the good work
+proposed. He trusted that as the proposition emanated entirely from
+himself, and expressed, he felt sure, the feelings of many in the
+audience, I should not object to it. I begged, however, that the
+condition agreed to might be carried out; pointing out among other
+reasons for making no collection, that the very reason adduced by our
+kind chairman was, to my mind, one of the strongest for not making it.
+My wish was, not that those present should be relieved by making such
+contribution as might there and then be convenient, under the influence
+of a present emotion; but that each one should go home burdened with the
+deep need of China, and ask of GOD what He would have them to do. If,
+after thought and prayer, they were satisfied that a pecuniary
+contribution was what He wanted of them, it could be given to any
+Missionary Society having agents in China; or it might be posted to our
+London office; but that perhaps in many cases what GOD wanted was _not_
+a money contribution, but personal consecration to His service abroad;
+or the giving up of son or daughter--more precious than silver or
+gold--to His service. I added that I thought the tendency of a
+collection was to leave the impression that the all-important thing was
+_money_, whereas no amount of money could convert a single soul; that
+what was needed was that men and women filled with the HOLY GHOST should
+give _themselves_ to the work: for the support of such there would never
+be a lack of funds. As my wish was evidently very strong, the chairman
+kindly yielded to it, and closed the meeting. He told me, however, at
+the supper-table, that he thought it was a mistake on my part, and that,
+notwithstanding all I had said, a few persons had put some little
+contributions into his hands.
+
+Next morning at breakfast, my kind host came in a little late, and
+acknowledged to not having had a very good night. After breakfast he
+asked me to his study, and giving me the contributions handed to him the
+night before, said, "I thought last night, Mr. Taylor, that you were in
+the wrong about a collection; I am now convinced you were quite right.
+As I thought in the night of that stream of souls in China ever passing
+onward into the dark, I could only cry as you suggested, 'LORD, what
+wilt Thou have _me_ to do?' I think I have obtained the guidance I
+sought, and here it is." He handed me a cheque for £500, adding that if
+there had been a collection he would have given a few pounds to it, but
+now this cheque was the result of having spent no small part of the
+night in prayer.
+
+I need scarcely say how surprised and thankful I was for this gift. I
+had received at the breakfast-table a letter from Messrs. Killick,
+Martin and Co., shipping agents, in which they stated that they could
+offer us the whole passenger accommodation of the ship _Lammermuir_. I
+went direct to the ship, found it in every way suitable, and paid the
+cheque on account. As above stated, the funds deemed needed had been
+already in hand for some time; but the coincidence of the simultaneous
+offer of the ship accommodation and this munificent gift--GOD'S
+"exceeding abundantly"--greatly encouraged my heart.
+
+On the 26th of May we sailed for China in the _Lammermuir_, a missionary
+party of 16 (besides my four children and their nurse, and Miss Bausum
+(afterwards Mrs. Barchet)); in all 22 passengers. Mr. Berger took charge
+of the home department, and thus the C. I. M. was fully inaugurated.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE MISSION IN 1894
+
+
+THE events sketched in the last two chapters have been more fully
+delineated by Miss Guinness in her interesting _Story of the China
+Inland Mission_, which continues its history to the present date. It is
+indeed a record of the goodness of GOD, every remembrance of which calls
+for gratitude and praise. We can only here briefly mention a few facts,
+referring our readers to Miss Guinness's work for all details.
+
+After a voyage of many mercies the _Lammermuir_ party safely reached
+China, and during the first ten years stations and out-stations were
+opened in many cities and towns in four provinces which hitherto had
+been unreached by the Gospel. At home Mr. and Mrs. Berger continued
+their devoted service until March 19th, 1872, I having returned to
+England the year before. Shortly after this the London Council was
+formed, which has now for several years been assisted by an auxiliary
+Council of ladies. A Scotch Council was also formed in Glasgow a few
+years ago.
+
+A visit to America in 1888 issued in the formation of the Council for
+North America, and a similar Council for Australasia was commenced in
+Melbourne two years later. In the field a China Council was organised in
+1886, composed of senior missionaries who meet quarterly in Shanghai.
+
+Closely associated with the C. I. M. are seven Committees--in England,
+Norway, Sweden (two), Finland, Germany, and the United States--which
+send out and support their own missionaries, who in China have the
+assistance of the educational and other advantages of the C. I. M., and
+who work under its direction.
+
+The staff of the Mission, in May 1893, consisted of 552 missionaries
+(including wives and associates). There were also 326 native helpers (95
+of whom were unpaid), working as pastors, evangelists, teachers,
+colporteurs, Bible-women, etc., in 14 different provinces.
+
+Duly qualified candidates for missionary labour are accepted without
+restriction as to denomination, provided they are sound in the faith in
+all fundamental truths: these go out in dependence upon GOD for temporal
+supplies, with the clear understanding that the officers of the Mission
+do not guarantee any income whatever; and knowing that as they will not
+go into debt, they can only minister to them as the funds sent in from
+time to time will allow. But we praise GOD that during the past
+twenty-eight years such ministry has always been possible; our GOD _has_
+supplied all our need, and has withheld no good thing.
+
+All the expenses of the Mission at home and abroad are met by voluntary
+contributions, sent to the offices of the Mission without personal
+solicitation, by those who wish to aid in this effort to spread the
+knowledge of the Gospel throughout China. The income for the year 1892
+was about £34,000 from all sources--Great Britain, the Continent of
+Europe, North America, Australasia, China, etc.
+
+Some of the missionaries having private property have gone out at their
+own expense, and do not take anything from the Mission funds.
+
+Stations have been opened in ten of the eleven provinces which were
+previously without Protestant missionaries; from one of these, however,
+we have had to retire. The eleventh province has been visited several
+times, and it is hoped that in it permanent work may soon be begun.
+
+More than 200 stations and out-stations have been opened in fourteen of
+the eighteen provinces, in all of which stations either missionaries or
+native labourers are resident. Over 6000 converts have been baptized
+from the commencement, some 4000 of whom are now living and in
+fellowship.
+
+
+THE MISSION IN 1902
+
+The year 1894, in which the first edition of _A Retrospect_ appeared,
+was marked by the erection of large and commodious premises for the work
+of the Mission, and early in the following year the houses in Pyrland
+Road, which had so long formed the home of the Mission in England, were
+vacated, and NEWINGTON GREEN, LONDON, N., became the address of the
+Mission offices and home.
+
+From that date until the Boxer outbreak of 1900 the Mission made steady
+progress, the development of the work in China being accompanied by
+corresponding developments in the home departments of the Mission in
+England, America, and Australasia.
+
+In January 1900, before the Boxer outbreak, there were in connection
+with the Mission, 811 missionaries, including wives and associates; 171
+stations; 223 out-stations; 387 chapels; 581 paid native helpers; 193
+unpaid native helpers; 8557 communicants in fellowship, 12,964 having
+been baptized from the commencement. There were 266 organised churches;
+788 boarding scholars; 1382 day scholars; 6 hospitals; 18 dispensaries;
+and 46 opium refuges.
+
+During the terrible year of 1900, when no fewer than 135 missionaries
+and 53 missionaries' children and many thousands of Chinese Christians
+were cruelly murdered, the China Inland Mission lost 58 missionaries and
+21 children. The records of these unparalleled times of suffering have
+been told in _Martyred Missionaries of the China Inland Mission_ and in
+_Last Letters_, both of which books will be found advertised at the end
+of this volume. Apart from loss of life, there was an immense amount of
+Mission property destroyed, and the missionaries were compelled to
+retire from their stations in most parts of China.
+
+The doors closed by this outbreak have all been reopened in the goodness
+of GOD. In those districts which suffered most from the massacres the
+work has largely been one of reorganisation; but throughout China
+generally there has been a spirit of awakening and a time of enlarged
+opportunity; which is a loud call for more men and women to volunteer to
+step into the gaps and fill the places of those who have fallen.
+
+Among recent developments we would specially mention the opening of a
+new home centre at Philadelphia, U.S.A. The total income of the Mission
+for 1901 was £53,633 = $257,712, and the total received in England
+alone, for 1902, was £51,446 = $246,912. The total membership of the
+Mission in June 1902 was 761.
+
+Current information about the progress of the work in China may be
+obtained from _China's Millions_, the organ of the Mission. It is
+published monthly, and may be ordered through any bookseller from
+Messrs. Morgan and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, E.C., for 1s. per
+year, or direct by post from the offices of the Mission, Newington
+Green, London, N., for 1s. 6d. per annum.
+
+The Australasian edition of _China's Millions_ may be ordered at the
+same price from M. L. Hutchinson, Little Collins Street, or from the
+Mission Offices, 267 Collins Street, Melbourne. The North American
+edition will be sent post free from the Mission Offices, 507 Church
+Street, Toronto, for 50 cents per annum.
+
+Prayer meetings on behalf of the work in China are held at the principal
+home centres of the Mission, as follows: Every Saturday afternoon from 4
+to 6 o'clock, at Newington Green, London. Every Friday evening at 8
+o'clock, at 507 Church Street, Toronto. Every Saturday afternoon at 4
+o'clock, in the Office, 267 Collins Street, Melbourne. A hearty
+invitation to attend any one of these meetings is given to any one
+residing in or visiting any of these cities.
+
+Donations to the Mission, applications from candidates, orders for
+literature, requests for deputation speakers, and other correspondence
+should be forwarded to
+
+          The Secretary,
+            China Inland Mission,
+              Newington Green, London, N.
+
+          The Home Director,
+            China Inland Mission,
+              507 Church Street, Toronto, Canada.
+
+or
+
+          702 Witherspoon Buildings, Philadelphia, U.S.A.
+
+or to
+
+          The Secretary,
+            China Inland Mission,
+              267 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia.
+
+[Illustration: MAP OF CHINA
+
+  Shewing {1. All Protestant Mission Stations in China up to June 1866,
+              when the C.I.M. was founded (they numbered fifteen) These
+              are underlined in black.
+          {2. The Stations of the China Inland Mission which (with the
+              exception of Ning-Po &amp; Fung-hwa) have been opened since
+              June 1866. These are printed in red.]
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+STATIONS OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION
+
+1900
+
+(BEFORE THE BOXER OUTBREAK)
+
+
+The best guide to the stations of the Mission is the new _China Inland
+Mission Map_ (size 44 × 38 in., mounted on linen, coloured, varnished,
+and hung on rollers), price 8s. _net_, carriage and packing extra.
+Mounted to fold, 8s. _net_, post free.
+
+      Provinces.[4]                Stations.[5]            WORK BEGUN.
+
+  =Kan-suh=, 1876                    LIANG-CHAU                   1888
+                                     SI-NING                      1885
+                                     LAN-CHAU                     1885
+                                     TS'IN-CHAU                   1878
+  _Area,[6] 125,450 square miles._   FU K'IANG                    1899
+  _Population, 9,285,377._           P'ING-LIANG                  1895
+                                     KING-CHAU                    1895
+                                     TS'ING-NING                  1897
+                                     Chen-yuen                    1897
+                                     Tong-chi                     1899
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Shen-si=, 1876.                   Lung-chau                    1893
+                                     FENG-TSIANG                  1888
+                                     Mei-hien                     1893
+                                     K'IEN-CHAU                   1894
+  _Area, 67,400 square miles._       Chau-chih                    1893
+  _Population, 8,432,193._           _Sang-kia-chuang_            1894
+                                     Hing-p'ing                   1893
+                                     SI-GAN                       1893
+                                     _Ying-kia-wei_               1893
+                                     Chen-kia-hu                  1897
+                                     Lan-t'ien                    1895
+                                     K'ien-yang                   1897
+                                     Ch'ang-wu                    1897
+                                     San-shui                     1897
+                                     T'UNG-CHAU                   1891
+                                     Han-ch'eng                   1897
+                                     HAN-CHUNG                    1879
+                                     Ch'eng-ku                    1887
+                                     Si-hsiang                    1896
+                                     Yang-hien                    1896
+                                     HING-AN                      1898
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Shan-si=, 1876                    TA-T'UNG                     1886
+                                     Hwen-yuen                    1898
+                                     SOH-P'ING                    1895
+                                     Tsö-yuin                     1895
+                                     YING-CHAU                    1897
+                                     Hiao-i                       1887
+                                     Kiai-hiu                     1891
+                                     SIH-CHAU                     1885
+                                     Ta-ning                      1885
+                                     KIH-CHAU                     1891
+                                     Ho-tsin                      1893
+                                     Ping-yao                     1888
+  _Area, 56,268 square miles._       HOH-CHAU                     1886
+  _Population, 12,211,453._          Hung-t'ung                   1886
+                                     Yoh-yang                     1896
+                                     P'ING-YANG                   1879
+                                     K'üh-wu                      1885
+                                     I-shï                        1891
+                                     Yüin-ch'eng                  1888
+                                     _Mei-ti-kiai_                1895
+                                     HIAI-CHAU                    1895
+                                     Lu-ch'eng                    1889
+                                     _Ü-wu_                       1896
+                                     LU-GAN                       1889
+                                     Kiang-chau                   1898
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Chih-li=, 1887                    T'IEN-TSIN                   1888
+  _Area, 58,949 square miles._       PAO-T'ING                    1891
+  _Population, 17,937,000._          Hwuy-luh                     1887
+                                     SHUN-TEH                     1888
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Shan-tung=, 1879                  _Chefoo_                     1879
+                                        "    Sanatorium           1880
+                                        "    Boys' School         1880
+  _Area, 53,762 square miles._          "    Girls'  "            1884
+  _Population, 36,247,835._             "    Preparatory School   1895
+                                     _T'ung-shin_                 1889
+                                     Ning-hai                     1886
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Ho-nan=, 1875                     Siang-ch'eng                 1891
+                                     _Chau-kia-k'eo_              1884
+                                       _Ho-nan_                    ...
+                                       _Ho-peh_                    ...
+                                       _Ho-si_                     ...
+  _Area, 66,913 square miles._       CH'EN-CHAU                   1895
+  _Population, 22,115,827._          T'ai-k'ang                   1895
+                                     _She-k'i-tien_               1886
+                                     Kwang-chau                   1899
+                                     Hin-an                       1899
+                                     _King-tsï-kuan_              1896
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =W. Si-ch'uan=, 1877               Kwan-hien                    1889
+                                     CH'EN-TU                     1881
+                                     KIA-TING                     1888
+  _Area of whole Province,           SUI-FU                       1888
+  166,800 square miles._             LU-CHAU                      1890
+                                     Hiao-shï                     1899
+                                     CH'UNG-K'ING                 1877
+                                     Ta-chien-lu                  1897
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =E. Si-ch'uan=, 1886               Kwang-yuen                   1889
+                                     _Sin-tien-tsï_               1892
+                                     PAO-NING                     1886
+                                     Ying-shan                    1898
+  _Population of whole Province,     Kü-hien                      1898
+  67,712,897._                       SHUN-K'ING                   1896
+                                     Pa-chau                      1887
+                                     SUI-TING                     1899
+                                     Wan-hien                     1888
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Hu-peh=, 1874                     _Lao-ho-k'eo_                1887
+  _Area, 70,450 square miles._       _Han-kow_                    1889
+  _Population, 34,244,685._          I-CH'ANG                     1895
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Gan-hwuy=, 1869                   T'ai-ho                      1892
+                                     VING-CHAU                    1897
+                                     _Ch'eng-yang-kwan_           1887
+                                     _K'u-ch'eng_                 1887
+                                     Fuh-hing-tsih (Lai-gan)      1898
+                                     LUH-GAN                      1890
+                                     GAN-K'ING                    1869
+  _Area, 48,461 square miles._          Training Home              ...
+  _Population, 20,596,288._          Wu-hu                        1893
+                                     Kien-p'ing                   1894
+                                     NING-KWOH                    1874
+                                     KWANG-TEH                    1890
+                                     CH'I-CHAU                    1889
+                                     Kien-teh                     1892
+                                     HWUY-CHAU                    1884
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Kiang-su=, 1854                   Gan-tung                     1891
+                                     Ts'ing-kiang-pu              1869
+                                     Kao-yiu                      1888
+                                     YANG-CHAU                    1868
+                                       Training Home               ...
+                                     CHIN-KIANG                   1888
+  _Area, 44,500 square miles._       Shanghai                     1854
+  _Population, 20,905,171._            Financial Department        ...
+                                       Business Department         ...
+                                       Home                        ...
+                                       Hospital                    ...
+                                       Evangelistic Work           ...
+                                       Literary Work               ...
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Yun-nan=, 1877                    Bhâmo (Upper Burmah)         1875
+  _Area, 107,969 square miles._      TA-LI                        1881
+  _Population, 11,721,576._          YUN-NAN                      1882
+                                     K'ÜH-TS'ING                  1889
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Kwei-chau=, 1877                  KWEI-YANG                    1877
+                                     GAN-SHUN                     1888
+  _Area, 64,554 square miles._       Tuh-shan                     1893
+  _Population, 7,669,181._           HING-I                       1891
+                                       (Work among Aborigines)     ...
+                                     _P'ang-hai_                  1897
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Hu-nan=, 1875                     CH'ANG-TEH                   1898
+  _Area, 74,320 square miles_.       SHEN-CHAU                    1898
+  _Population, 21,002,604._          Ch'a-ling                    1898
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Kiang-si=, 1869                   KIU-KIANG                    1889
+                                     Ku-ling Sanatorium           1898
+                                     _Ta-ku-t'ang_                1873
+                                     NAN-K'ANG                    1887
+                                     Gan-ren                      1889
+                                     RAO-CHAU                     1898
+                                     _Peh-kan_                    1893
+                                     Kwei-k'i                     1878
+                                     _Shang-ts'ing_               1893
+                                     Hü-wan                       1899
+                                     Ih-yang                      1890
+  _Area, 72,176 square miles._       _Ho-k'eo_                    1878
+  _Population, 24,534,118._          _Yang-k'eo_                  1890
+                                     Kwang-feng                   1889
+                                     Yuh-shan                     1877
+                                     _Chang-shu_                  1895
+                                     KUI-GAN                      1891
+                                     _Feng-kang_                  1891
+                                     KAN-CHAU                     1899
+                                     Sin-feng                     1899
+                                     LIN-KIANG                    1898
+                                     NAN-CH'ANG                   1898
+                                     UEN-CHAU (_Itinerating_)      ...
+                                     Yung-sin                     1899
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Cheh-kiang=, 1857                 HANG-CHAU                    1866
+                                     SHAO-HING                    1866
+                                     Sin-ch'ang                   1870
+                                     KIU-CHAU                     1872
+                                     Ch'ang-shan                  1878
+                                     Lan-k'i                      1894
+  _Area, 39,150 square miles_.       KIN-HWA                      1875
+  _Population, 11,588,692._          Yung-k'ang                   1882
+                                     Tseh-k'i                     1897
+                                     CH'U-CHAU                    1875
+                                     Lung-ch'uen                  1894
+                                     Uin-ho                       1895
+                                     Song-yang                    1896
+                                     _Siao-mei_                   1896
+                                     Tsin-yun                     1898
+                                     NING-P'O                     1857
+                                     Fung-hwa                     1866
+                                     Ning-hai                     1868
+                                     T'ien-t'ai                   1898
+                                     T'AI-CHAU                    1867
+                                     Ling-he District              ...
+                                     Hwang-yen                    1896
+                                     T'ai-p'ing                   1898
+                                     WUN-CHAU                     1867
+                                     Bing-yae                     1874
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[4] Arranged in three lines from west to east, for easy reference to
+Map. The dates in this column in many cases are of itinerations begun.
+
+[5] Capitals of Provinces in capital letters; of Prefectures in small
+capitals; and of Counties in romans; Market Towns in italics.
+
+[6] Areas and populations are from _The Statesman's Year Book_.
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_Printed by_ R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, _Edinburgh._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Page 109, "my" changed to "My" (My marriage had been)
+
+Page 125, ending ) added. (Miss Bausum (afterwards Mrs. Barchett)); in)
+
+Page 129, format of "God" was changed to "GOD" to match rest of usage.
+(goodness of GOD)
+
+Possible nconsistencies in spelling of Chinese names were retained such
+as Bhâmo and Bhamô.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Retrospect, by James Hudson Taylor
+
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diff --git a/old/26744.txt b/old/26744.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..06b0c42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/26744.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,4703 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Retrospect, by James Hudson Taylor
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: A Retrospect
+
+Author: James Hudson Taylor
+
+Release Date: October 1, 2008 [EBook #26744]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A RETROSPECT ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Free Elf, Emmy and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net Music files created
+by Linda Cantoni.(This file was produced from images
+generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian
+Libraries) Full-color map generously provided by The
+Missionary E-texts Archive at
+http://www.missionaryetexts.org
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Signature: J. Hudson Taylor.]
+
+
+
+
+A RETROSPECT
+
+BY
+
+J. HUDSON TAYLOR, M.R.C.S., F.R.G.S.
+
+_Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee._
+
+THIRD EDITION
+
+          TORONTO
+          CHINA INLAND MISSION
+          507 CHURCH STREET
+
+[Illustration: THE "LAMMERMUIR" PARTY. _See page 125._]
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+  CHAP.                                           PAGE
+      I. THE POWER OF PRAYER                         1
+     II. THE CALL TO SERVICE                         7
+    III. PREPARATION FOR SERVICE                    13
+     IV. FURTHER ANSWERS TO PRAYER                  19
+      V. LIFE IN LONDON                             24
+     VI. STRENGTHENED BY FAITH                      30
+    VII. MIGHTY TO SAVE                             35
+   VIII. VOYAGE TO CHINA                            39
+     IX. EARLY MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES               45
+      X. FIRST EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS                 49
+     XI. WITH THE REV. W. C. BURNS                  57
+    XII. THE CALL TO SWATOW                         70
+           "The Missionary Call": Words and Music   75
+   XIII. MAN PROPOSES, GOD DISPOSES                 77
+    XIV. PROVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE                      92
+     XV. SETTLEMENT IN NINGPO                       98
+    XVI. TIMELY SUPPLIES                           105
+   XVII. GOD A REFUGE FOR US                       110
+  XVIII. A NEW AGENCY NEEDED                       116
+    XIX. FORMATION OF THE C. I. M.                 121
+     XX. THE MISSION IN 1894                       126
+         THE MISSION IN 1902                       128
+  STATIONS OF THE C. I. M.                         131
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+                        MAP OF CHINA
+
+  SHOWING THE STATIONS OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION:
+    CORRECTED TO JUNE 1900          _To face page_ 131
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+   1. Portrait of J. Hudson Taylor             _Frontispiece_
+   2. The "Lammermuir" party              _Facing "Contents"_
+                                                         PAGE
+   3. Honorary banner presented to a missionary             1
+   4. A heavy road in North China                           7
+   5. Salt junk on the Yang-tsi                            13
+   6. Travelling by mule cart on "the great plain"         19
+   7. Ch'ung-k'ing, the Yang-tsi, and mountains beyond     24
+   8. Water gate and Custom house, Soo-chow                29
+   9. View on the Kwang-sin River                          30
+  10. Temple and memorial portal                           34
+  11. "Compassionate heart, benevolent methods"            35
+  12. Outside the wall of Gan-k'ing                        38
+  13. The new girls school at Chefoo                       39
+  14. Entrance to the Po-yang lake                         44
+  15. A fair wind, at sunset, on the lake                  45
+  16. A view on the grand canal                            49
+  17. Down the Yang-tsi on a cargo boat                    57
+  18. East gate and sentry box, Bhamo, Burmah              69
+  19. Farmhouse, with buffalo shed attached                70
+  20. A fishing village on the lake near Yuennan Fu         77
+  21. Teng-yueh, the westernmost walled city in China      91
+  22. A small temple near Wun-chau                         92
+  23. Group of Christians at Lan-k'i, Cheh-kiang           97
+  24. A boat on the Red River, Tonquin                     98
+  25. Students' quarters, Gan-k'ing Training Home         104
+  26. A Mandarin's sedan chair                            105
+  27. A presentation banner (a mark of high respect)      110
+  28. View on the Po-yang lake                            116
+  29. A village on the grand canal                        121
+  30. The battlements of Pekin                            126
+  31. Native woodcut of a landscape                       131
+  32. Elder Liu and wife, Kwei-k'i                        136
+
+        The hearty thanks of the Mission for the use of
+          photographs and sketches are hereby tendered to
+          Rev. George Hayes for Nos. 4 and 6; Dr. G.
+          Whitfield Guinness for Nos. 8, 12, 16, 25, and 28;
+          Miss Davies for No. 23; Mr. Thomas Selkirk for
+          Nos. 18 and 21; Mr. J. T. Reid for Nos. 14, 15,
+          and 27; Mr. J. S. Rough for No. 30; Mr. Grainger
+          for No. 19; Mr. E. Murray for No. 13, and also to
+          other friends unknown by name.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE POWER OF PRAYER
+
+
+THE following account of some of the experiences which eventually led to
+the formation of the CHINA INLAND MISSION, and to its taking the form in
+which it has been developed, first appeared in the pages of _China's
+Millions_. Many of those who read it there asked that it might appear in
+separate form. Miss Guinness incorporated it in the _Story of the China
+Inland Mission_, a record which contained the account of GOD'S goodness
+to the beginning of 1894. But friends still asking for it in pamphlet
+form, for wider distribution, this edition is brought out.
+
+Much of the material was taken from notes of addresses given in China
+during a conference of our missionaries; this will account for the
+direct and narrative form of the papers, which it has not been thought
+necessary to change.
+
+It is always helpful to us to fix our attention on the GOD-ward aspect
+of Christian work; to realise that the work of GOD does not mean so much
+man's work for GOD, as GOD'S own work through man. Furthermore, in our
+privileged position of fellow-workers with Him, while fully recognising
+all the benefits and blessings to be bestowed on a sin-stricken world
+through the proclamation of the Gospel and spread of the Truth, we
+should never lose sight of the higher aspect of our work--that of
+obedience to GOD, of bringing glory to His Name, of gladdening the
+heart of our GOD and FATHER by living and serving as His beloved
+children.
+
+Many circumstances connected with my own early life and service
+presented this aspect of work vividly to me; and as I think of some of
+them, I am reminded of how much the cause of missions is indebted to
+many who are never themselves permitted to see the mission field--many,
+it may be, who are unable to give largely of their substance, and who
+will be not a little surprised in the Great Day to see how much the work
+has been advanced by their love, their sympathy, and their prayers.
+
+For myself, and for the work that I have been permitted to do for GOD, I
+owe an unspeakable debt of gratitude to my beloved and honoured parents,
+who have passed away and entered into rest, but the influence of whose
+lives will never pass away.
+
+Many years ago, probably about 1830, the heart of my dear father, then
+himself an earnest and successful evangelist at home, was deeply stirred
+as to the spiritual state of China by reading several books, and
+especially an account of the travels of Captain Basil Hall. His
+circumstances were such as to preclude the hope of his ever going to
+China for personal service, but he was led to pray that if GOD should
+give him a son, he might be called and privileged to labour in the vast
+needy empire which was then apparently so sealed against the truth. I
+was not aware of this desire or prayer myself until my return to
+England, more than seven years after I had sailed for China; but it was
+very interesting then to know how prayer offered before my birth had
+been answered in this matter.
+
+All thought of my becoming a missionary was abandoned for many years by
+my dear parents on account of the feebleness of my health. When the
+time came, however, GOD gave increased health, and my life has been
+spared, and strength has been given for not a little toilsome service
+both in the mission field and at home, while many stronger men and women
+have succumbed.
+
+I had many opportunities in early years of learning the value of prayer
+and of the Word of GOD; for it was the delight of my dear parents to
+point out that if there were any such Being as GOD, to trust Him, to
+obey Him, and to be fully given up to His service, must of necessity be
+the best and wisest course both for myself and others. But in spite of
+these helpful examples and precepts my heart was unchanged. Often I had
+tried to make myself a Christian; and failing of course in such efforts,
+I began at last to think that for some reason or other I could not be
+saved, and that the best I could do was to take my fill of this world,
+as there was no hope for me beyond the grave.
+
+While in this state of mind I came in contact with persons holding
+sceptical and infidel views, and accepted their teaching, only too
+thankful for some hope of escape from the doom which, if my parents were
+right and the Bible true, awaited the impenitent. It may seem strange to
+say it, but I have often felt thankful for the experience of this time
+of scepticism. The inconsistencies of Christian people, who while
+professing to believe their Bibles were yet content to live just as they
+would if there were no such book, had been one of the strongest
+arguments of my sceptical companions; and I frequently felt at that
+time, and said, that if I pretended to believe the Bible I would at any
+rate attempt to live by it, putting it fairly to the test, and if it
+failed to prove true and reliable, would throw it overboard altogether.
+These views I retained when the LORD was pleased to bring me to
+Himself; and I think I may say that since then I _have_ put GOD'S Word
+to the test. Certainly it has never failed me. I have never had reason
+to regret the confidence I have placed in its promises, or to deplore
+following the guidance I have found in its directions.
+
+Let me tell you how GOD answered the prayers of my dear mother and of my
+beloved sister, now Mrs. Broomhall, for my conversion. On a day which I
+shall never forget, when I was about fifteen years of age, my dear
+mother being absent from home, I had a holiday, and in the afternoon
+looked through my father's library to find some book with which to while
+away the unoccupied hours. Nothing attracting me, I turned over a little
+basket of pamphlets, and selected from amongst them a Gospel tract which
+looked interesting, saying to myself, "There will be a story at the
+commencement, and a sermon or moral at the close: I will take the former
+and leave the latter for those who like it."
+
+I sat down to read the little book in an utterly unconcerned state of
+mind, believing indeed at the time that if there were any salvation it
+was not for me, and with a distinct intention to put away the tract as
+soon as it should seem prosy. I may say that it was not uncommon in
+those days to call conversion "becoming serious"; and judging by the
+faces of some of its professors, it appeared to be a very serious matter
+indeed. Would it not be well if the people of GOD had always tell-tale
+faces, evincing the blessings and gladness of salvation so clearly that
+unconverted people might have to call conversion "becoming joyful"
+instead of "becoming serious"?
+
+Little did I know at the time what was going on in the heart of my dear
+mother, seventy or eighty miles away. She rose from the dinner-table
+that afternoon with an intense yearning for the conversion of her boy,
+and feeling that--absent from home, and having more leisure than she
+could otherwise secure--a special opportunity was afforded her of
+pleading with GOD on my behalf. She went to her room and turned the key
+in the door, resolved not to leave that spot until her prayers were
+answered. Hour after hour did that dear mother plead for me, until at
+length she could pray no longer, but was constrained to praise GOD for
+that which His SPIRIT taught her had already been accomplished--the
+conversion of her only son.
+
+I in the meantime had been led in the way I have mentioned to take up
+this little tract, and while reading it was struck with the sentence,
+"The finished work of CHRIST." The thought passed through my mind, "Why
+does the author use this expression? why not say the atoning or
+propitiatory work of CHRIST?" Immediately the words "It is finished"
+suggested themselves to my mind. What was finished? And I at once
+replied, "A full and perfect atonement and satisfaction for sin: the
+debt was paid by the Substitute; CHRIST died for our sins, and not for
+ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Then came the
+thought, "If the whole work was finished and the whole debt paid, what
+is there left for me to do?" And with this dawned the joyful conviction,
+as light was flashed into my soul by the HOLY SPIRIT, that there was
+nothing in the world to be done but to fall down on one's knees, and
+accepting this SAVIOUR and His salvation, to praise Him for evermore.
+Thus while my dear mother was praising GOD on her knees in her chamber,
+I was praising Him in the old warehouse to which I had gone alone to
+read at my leisure this little book.
+
+Several days elapsed ere I ventured to make my beloved sister the
+confidante of my joy, and then only after she had promised not to tell
+any one of my soul secret. When our dear mother came home a fortnight
+later, I was the first to meet her at the door, and to tell her I had
+such glad news to give. I can almost feel that dear mother's arms around
+my neck, as she pressed me to her bosom and said, "I know, my boy; I
+have been rejoicing for a fortnight in the glad tidings you have to tell
+me." "Why," I asked in surprise, "has Amelia broken her promise? She
+said she would tell no one." My dear mother assured me that it was not
+from any human source that she had learned the tidings, and went on to
+tell the little incident mentioned above. You will agree with me that it
+would be strange indeed if I were not a believer in the power of prayer.
+
+Nor was this all. Some little time after, I picked up a pocket-book
+exactly like one of my own, and thinking that it was mine, opened it.
+The lines that caught my eye were an entry in the little diary, which
+belonged to my sister, to the effect that she would give herself daily
+to prayer until GOD should answer in the conversion of her brother.
+Exactly one month later the LORD was pleased to turn me from darkness to
+light.
+
+Brought up in such a circle and saved under such circumstances, it was
+perhaps natural that from the commencement of my Christian life I was
+led to feel that the promises were very real, and that prayer was in
+sober matter of fact transacting business with GOD, whether on one's own
+behalf or on behalf of those for whom one sought His blessing.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE CALL TO SERVICE
+
+
+THE first joys of conversion passed away after a time, and were
+succeeded by a period of painful deadness of soul, with much conflict.
+But this also came to an end, leaving a deepened sense of personal
+weakness and dependence on the LORD as the only KEEPER as well as
+SAVIOUR of His people. How sweet to the soul, wearied and disappointed
+in its struggles with sin, is the calm repose of trust in the SHEPHERD
+of Israel.
+
+Not many months after my conversion, having a leisure afternoon, I
+retired to my own chamber to spend it largely in communion with GOD.
+Well do I remember that occasion. How in the gladness of my heart I
+poured out my soul before GOD; and again and again confessing my
+grateful love to Him who had done everything for me--who had saved me
+when I had given up all hope and even desire for salvation--I besought
+Him to give me some work to do for Him, as an outlet for love and
+gratitude; some self-denying service, no matter what it might be,
+however trying or however trivial; something with which He would be
+pleased, and that I might do for Him who had done so much for me. Well
+do I remember, as in unreserved consecration I put myself, my life, my
+friends, my all, upon the altar, the deep solemnity that came over my
+soul with the assurance that my offering was accepted. The presence of
+GOD became unutterably real and blessed; and though but a child under
+sixteen, I remember stretching myself on the ground, and lying there
+silent before Him with unspeakable awe and unspeakable joy.
+
+For what service I was accepted I knew not; but a deep consciousness
+that I was no longer my own took possession of me, which has never since
+been effaced. It has been a very practical consciousness. Two or three
+years later propositions of an unusually favourable nature were made to
+me with regard to medical study, on the condition of my becoming
+apprenticed to the medical man who was my friend and teacher. But I felt
+I dared not accept any binding engagement such as was suggested. I was
+not my own to give myself away; for I knew not when or how He whose
+alone I was, and for whose disposal I felt I must ever keep myself free,
+might call for service.
+
+Within a few months of this time of consecration the impression was
+wrought into my soul that it was in China the LORD wanted me. It seemed
+to me highly probable that the work to which I was thus called might
+cost my life; for China was not then open as it is now. But few
+missionary societies had at that time workers in China, and but few
+books on the subject of China missions were accessible to me. I learned,
+however, that the Congregational minister of my native town possessed a
+copy of Medhurst's _China_, and I called upon him to ask a loan of the
+book. This he kindly granted, asking me why I wished to read it. I told
+him that GOD had called me to spend my life in missionary service in
+that land. "And how do you propose to go there?" he inquired. I answered
+that I did not at all know; that it seemed to me probable that I should
+need to do as the Twelve and the Seventy had done in Judaea--go without
+purse or scrip, relying on Him who had called me to supply all my need.
+Kindly placing his hand upon my shoulder, the minister replied, "Ah, my
+boy, as you grow older you will get wiser than that. Such an idea would
+do very well in the days when CHRIST Himself was on earth, but not now."
+
+I have grown older since then, but not wiser. I am more than ever
+convinced that if we were to take the directions of our MASTER and the
+assurances He gave to His first disciples more fully as our guide, we
+should find them to be just as suited to our times as to those in which
+they were originally given.
+
+Medhurst's book on China emphasised the value of medical missions there,
+and this directed my attention to medical studies as a valuable mode of
+preparation.
+
+My beloved parents neither discouraged nor encouraged my desire to
+engage in missionary work. They advised me, with such convictions, to
+use all the means in my power to develop the resources of body, mind,
+heart, and soul, and to wait prayerfully upon GOD, quite willing, should
+He show me that I was mistaken, to follow His guidance, or to go forward
+if in due time He should open the way to missionary service. The
+importance of this advice I have often since had occasion to prove. I
+began to take more exercise in the open air to strengthen my physique.
+My feather bed I had taken away, and sought to dispense with as many
+other home comforts as I could, in order to prepare myself for rougher
+lines of life. I began also to do what Christian work was in my power,
+in the way of tract distribution, Sunday-school teaching, and visiting
+the poor and sick, as opportunity afforded.
+
+After a time of preparatory study at home, I went to Hull for medical
+and surgical training. There I became assistant to a doctor who was
+connected with the Hull school of medicine, and was surgeon also to a
+number of factories, which brought many accident cases to our
+dispensary, and gave me the opportunity of seeing and practising the
+minor operations of surgery.
+
+And here an event took place that I must not omit to mention. Before
+leaving home my attention was drawn to the subject of setting apart the
+firstfruits of all one's increase and a proportionate part of one's
+possessions to the LORD'S service. I thought it well to study the
+question with my Bible in hand before I went away from home, and was
+placed in circumstances which might bias my conclusions by the pressure
+of surrounding wants and cares. I was thus led to the determination to
+set apart not less than one-tenth of whatever moneys I might earn or
+become possessed of for the LORD'S service. The salary I received as
+medical assistant in Hull at the time now referred to would have allowed
+me with ease to do this. But owing to changes in the family of my kind
+friend and employer, it was necessary for me to reside out of doors.
+Comfortable quarters were secured with a relative, and in addition to
+the sum determined on as remuneration for my services I received the
+exact amount I had to pay for board and lodging.
+
+Now arose in my mind the question, Ought not this sum also to be tithed?
+It was surely a part of my income, and I felt that if it had been a
+question of Government income tax it certainly would not have been
+excluded. On the other hand, to take a tithe from the whole would not
+leave me sufficient for other purposes; and for some little time I was
+much embarrassed to know what to do. After much thought and prayer I was
+led to leave the comfortable quarters and happy circle in which I was
+now residing, and to engage a little lodging in the suburbs--a
+sitting-room and bedroom in one--undertaking to board myself. In this
+way I was able without difficulty to tithe the whole of my income; and
+while I felt the change a good deal, it was attended with no small
+blessing.
+
+More time was given in my solitude to the study of the Word of GOD, to
+visiting the poor, and to evangelistic work on summer evenings than
+would otherwise have been the case. Brought into contact in this way
+with many who were in distress, I soon saw the privilege of still
+further economising, and found it not difficult to give away much more
+than the proportion of my income I had at first intended.
+
+About this time a friend drew my attention to the question of the
+personal and pre-millennial coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and gave me
+a list of passages bearing upon it, without note or comment, advising me
+to ponder the subject. For a while I gave much time to studying the
+Scriptures about it, with the result that I was led to see that this
+same JESUS who left our earth in His resurrection body was so to come
+again, that His feet were to stand on the Mount of Olives, and that He
+was to take possession of the temporal throne of His father David which
+was promised before His birth. I saw, further, that all through the New
+Testament the coming of the LORD was the great hope of His people, and
+was always appealed to as the strongest motive for consecration and
+service, and as the greatest comfort in trial and affliction. I learned,
+too, that the period of His return for His people was not revealed, and
+that it was their privilege, from day to day and from hour to hour, to
+live as men who wait for the LORD; that thus living it was immaterial,
+so to speak, whether He should or should not come at any particular
+hour, the important thing being to be so ready for Him as to be able,
+whenever He might appear, to give an account of one's stewardship with
+joy, and not with grief.
+
+The effect of this blessed hope was a thoroughly practical one. It led
+me to look carefully through my little library to see if there were any
+books there that were not needed or likely to be of further service, and
+to examine my small wardrobe, to be quite sure that it contained nothing
+that I should be sorry to give an account of should the MASTER come at
+once. The result was that the library was considerably diminished, to
+the benefit of some poor neighbours, and to the far greater benefit of
+my own and that I found I had articles of clothing also which might be
+put to better advantage in other directions.
+
+It has been very helpful to me from time to time through life, as
+occasion has served, to act again in a similar way; and I have never
+gone through my house, from basement to attic, with this object in view,
+without receiving a great accession of spiritual joy and blessing. I
+believe we are all in danger of accumulating--it may be from
+thoughtlessness, or from pressure of occupation--things which would be
+useful to others, while not needed by ourselves, and the retention of
+which entails loss of blessing. If the whole resources of the Church of
+GOD were well utilised, how much more might be accomplished! How many
+poor might be fed and naked clothed, and to how many of those as yet
+unreached the Gospel might be carried! Let me advise this line of things
+as a constant habit of mind, and a profitable course to be practically
+adopted whenever circumstances permit.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+PREPARATION FOR SERVICE
+
+
+HAVING now the twofold object in view of accustoming myself to endure
+hardness, and of economising in order to be able more largely to assist
+those amongst whom I spent a good deal of time labouring in the Gospel,
+I soon found that I could live upon very much less than I had previously
+thought possible. Butter, milk, and other such luxuries I soon ceased to
+use; and I found that by living mainly on oatmeal and rice, with
+occasional variations, a very small sum was sufficient for my needs. In
+this way I had more than two-thirds of my income available for other
+purposes; and my experience was that the less I spent on myself and the
+more I gave away, the fuller of happiness and blessing did my soul
+become. Unspeakable joy all the day long, and every day, was my happy
+experience. GOD, even my GOD, was a living, bright Reality; and all I
+had to do was joyful service.
+
+It was to me a very grave matter, however, to contemplate going out to
+China, far away from all human aid, there to depend upon the living GOD
+alone for protection, supplies, and help of every kind. I felt that
+one's spiritual muscles required strengthening for such an undertaking.
+There was no doubt that if faith did not fail, GOD would not fail; but,
+then, what if one's faith should prove insufficient? I had not at that
+time learned that even "if we believe not, He abideth faithful, He
+cannot deny Himself"; and it was consequently a very serious question to
+my mind, not whether _He_ was faithful, but whether I had strong enough
+faith to warrant my embarking in the enterprise set before me.
+
+I thought to myself, "When I get out to China, I shall have no claim on
+any one for anything; my only claim will be on GOD. How important,
+therefore, to learn before leaving England to move man, through GOD, by
+prayer alone."
+
+At Hull my kind employer, always busily occupied, wished me to remind
+him whenever my salary became due. This I determined not to do directly,
+but to ask that GOD would bring the fact to his recollection, and thus
+encourage me by answering prayer. At one time, as the day drew near for
+the payment of a quarter's salary, I was as usual much in prayer about
+it. The time arrived, but my kind friend made no allusion to the matter.
+I continued praying, and days passed on, but he did not remember, until
+at length, on settling up my weekly accounts one Saturday night, I found
+myself possessed of only a single coin--one half-crown piece. Still I
+had hitherto had no lack, and I continued in prayer.
+
+That Sunday was a very happy one. As usual my heart was full and
+brimming over with blessing. After attending Divine service in the
+morning, my afternoons and evenings were filled with Gospel work, in the
+various lodging-houses I was accustomed to visit in the lowest part of
+the town. At such times it almost seemed to me as if heaven were begun
+below, and that all that could be looked for was an enlargement of one's
+capacity for joy, not a truer filling than I possessed. After concluding
+my last service about ten o'clock that night, a poor man asked me to go
+and pray with his wife, saying that she was dying. I readily agreed, and
+on the way to his house asked him why he had not sent for the priest, as
+his accent told me he was an Irishman. He had done so, he said, but the
+priest refused to come without a payment of eighteenpence, which the man
+did not possess, as the family was starving. Immediately it occurred to
+my mind that all the money I had in the world was the solitary
+half-crown, and that it was in one coin; moreover, that while the basin
+of water gruel I usually took for supper was awaiting me, and there was
+sufficient in the house for breakfast in the morning, I certainly had
+nothing for dinner on the coming day.
+
+Somehow or other there was at once a stoppage in the flow of joy in my
+heart; but instead of reproving myself I began to reprove the poor man,
+telling him that it was very wrong to have allowed matters to get into
+such a state as he described, and that he ought to have applied to the
+relieving officer. His answer was that he had done so, and was told to
+come at eleven o'clock the next morning, but that he feared that his
+wife might not live through the night. "Ah," thought I, "if only I had
+two shillings and a sixpence instead of this half-crown, how gladly
+would I give these poor people one shilling of it!" But to part with the
+half-crown was far from my thoughts. I little dreamed that the real
+truth of the matter simply was that I could trust in GOD plus
+one-and-sixpence, but was not yet prepared to trust Him only, without
+any money at all in my pocket.
+
+My conductor led me into a court, down which I followed him with some
+degree of nervousness. I had found myself there before, and at my last
+visit had been very roughly handled, while my tracts were torn to
+pieces, and I received such a warning not to come again that I felt
+more than a little concerned. Still, it was the path of duty, and I
+followed on. Up a miserable flight of stairs, into a wretched room, he
+led me; and oh what a sight there presented itself to our eyes! Four or
+five poor children stood about, their sunken cheeks and temples all
+telling unmistakably the story of slow starvation; and lying on a
+wretched pallet was a poor exhausted mother, with a tiny infant
+thirty-six hours old, moaning rather than crying at her side, for it too
+seemed spent and failing. "Ah!" thought I, "if I had two shillings and a
+sixpence instead of half-a-crown, how gladly should they have
+one-and-sixpence of it!" But still a wretched unbelief prevented me from
+obeying the impulse to relieve their distress at the cost of all I
+possessed.
+
+It will scarcely seem strange that I was unable to say much to comfort
+these poor people. I needed comfort myself. I began to tell them,
+however, that they must not be cast down, that though their
+circumstances were very distressing, there was a kind and loving FATHER
+in heaven; but something within me said, "You hypocrite! telling these
+unconverted people about a kind and loving FATHER in heaven, and not
+prepared yourself to trust Him without half-a-crown!" I was nearly
+choked. How gladly would I have compromised with conscience if I had had
+a florin and a sixpence! I would have given the florin thankfully and
+kept the rest; but I was not yet prepared to trust in GOD alone, without
+the sixpence.
+
+To talk was impossible under these circumstances; yet, strange to say, I
+thought I should have no difficulty in praying. Prayer was a delightful
+occupation to me in those days; time thus spent never seemed wearisome,
+and I knew nothing of lack of words. I seemed to think that all I should
+have to do would be to kneel down and engage in prayer, and that relief
+would come to them and to myself together. "You asked me to come and
+pray with your wife," I said to the man, "let us pray." And I knelt
+down. But scarcely had I opened my lips with "Our FATHER who art in
+heaven" than conscience said within, "Dare you mock GOD? Dare you kneel
+down and call Him FATHER with that half-crown in your pocket?" Such a
+time of conflict came upon me then as I have never experienced before or
+since. How I got through that form of prayer I know not, and whether the
+words uttered were connected or disconnected I cannot tell; but I arose
+from my knees in great distress of mind.
+
+The poor father turned to me and said, "You see what a terrible state we
+are in, sir; if you can help us, for GOD'S sake do!" Just then the word
+flashed into my mind, "Give to him that asketh of thee," and in the word
+of a KING there is power. I put my hand into my pocket, and slowly
+drawing forth the half-crown, gave it to the man, telling him that it
+might seem a small matter for me to relieve them, seeing that I was
+comparatively well off, but that in parting with that coin I was giving
+him my all; what I had been trying to tell him was indeed true--GOD
+really was a FATHER, and might be trusted. The joy all came back in full
+flood-tide to my heart; I could say anything and feel it then, and the
+hindrance to blessing was gone--gone, I trust, for ever.
+
+Not only was the poor woman's life saved, but I realised that my life
+was saved too! It might have been a wreck--would have been a wreck
+probably, as a Christian life--had not grace at that time conquered, and
+the striving of GOD'S SPIRIT been obeyed. I well remember how that
+night, as I went home to my lodgings, my heart was as light as my
+pocket. The lonely, deserted streets resounded with a hymn of praise
+which I could not restrain. When I took my basin of gruel before
+retiring, I would not have exchanged it for a prince's feast. I
+reminded the LORD as I knelt at my bedside of His own Word, that he who
+giveth to the poor lendeth to the LORD: I asked Him not to let my loan
+be a long one, or I should have no dinner next day; and with peace
+within and peace without, I spent a happy, restful night.
+
+Next morning for breakfast my plate of porridge remained, and before it
+was consumed the postman's knock was heard at the door. I was not in the
+habit of receiving letters on Monday, as my parents and most of my
+friends refrained from posting on Saturday; so that I was somewhat
+surprised when the landlady came in holding a letter or packet in her
+wet hand covered by her apron. I looked at the letter, but could not
+make out the handwriting. It was either a strange hand or a feigned one,
+and the postmark was blurred. Where it came from I could not tell. On
+opening the envelope I found nothing written within; but inside a sheet
+of blank paper was folded a pair of kid gloves, from which, as I opened
+them in astonishment, half-a-sovereign fell to the ground. "Praise the
+LORD!" I exclaimed; "400 per cent for twelve hours investment; that is
+good interest. How glad the merchants of Hull would be if they could
+lend their money at such a rate!" I then and there determined that a
+bank which could not break should have my savings or earnings as the
+case might be--a determination I have not yet learned to regret.
+
+I cannot tell you how often my mind has recurred to this incident, or
+all the help it has been to me in circumstances of difficulty in
+after-life. If we are faithful to GOD in little things, we shall gain
+experience and strength that will be helpful to us in the more serious
+trials of life.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+FURTHER ANSWERS TO PRAYER
+
+
+THE remarkable and gracious deliverance I have spoken of, was a great
+joy to me, as well as a strong confirmation of faith; but of course ten
+shillings, however economically used, will not go very far, and it was
+none the less necessary to continue in prayer, asking that the larger
+supply which was still due might be remembered and paid. All my
+petitions, however, appeared to remain unanswered; and before a
+fortnight had elapsed I found myself pretty much in the same position
+that I had occupied on the Sunday night already made so memorable.
+Meanwhile, I continued pleading with GOD, more and more earnestly, that
+He would graciously remind my employer that my salary was overdue. Of
+course it was not the want of the money that distressed me--that could
+have been had at any time for the asking--but the question uppermost in
+my mind was this: "Can I go to China? or will my want of faith and power
+with GOD prove to be so serious an obstacle as to preclude my entering
+upon this much-prized service?"
+
+As the week drew to a close I felt exceedingly embarrassed. There was
+not only myself to consider; on Saturday night a payment would be due to
+my Christian landlady which I knew she could not well dispense with.
+Ought I not, for her sake, to speak about the matter of the salary? Yet
+to do so would be, to myself at any rate, the admission that I was not
+fitted to undertake a missionary enterprise. I gave nearly the whole of
+Thursday and Friday--all the time not occupied in my necessary
+employment--to earnest wrestling with GOD in prayer. But still on
+Saturday morning I was in the same position as before. And now my
+earnest cry was for guidance as to whether it was my duty to break
+silence and speak to my employer, or whether I should still continue to
+wait the FATHER's time. As far as I could judge, I received the
+assurance that to wait His time was best; and that GOD in some way or
+other would interpose on my behalf. So I waited, my heart being now at
+rest and the burden gone.
+
+About five o'clock that Saturday afternoon, when the doctor had finished
+writing his prescriptions, his last circuit for the day being taken, he
+threw himself back in his arm-chair, as he was wont, and began to speak
+of the things of GOD. He was a truly Christian man, and many seasons of
+very happy spiritual fellowship we had together. I was busily watching,
+at the time, a pan in which a decoction was boiling that required a good
+deal of attention. It was indeed fortunate for me that it was so, for
+without any obvious connection with what had been going on, all at once
+he said, "By-the-bye, Taylor, is not your salary due again?" My emotion
+may be imagined! I had to swallow two or three times before I could
+answer. With my eye fixed on the pan and my back to the doctor, I told
+him as quietly as I could that it was overdue some little time. How
+thankful I felt at that moment! GOD surely had heard my prayer, and
+caused him, in this time of my great need, to remember the salary
+without any word or suggestion from me. He replied, "Oh, I am so sorry
+you did not remind me! You know how busy I am; I wish I had thought of
+it a little sooner, for only this afternoon I sent all the money I had
+to the bank, otherwise I would pay you at once." It is impossible to
+describe the revulsion of feeling caused by this unexpected statement. I
+knew not what to do. Fortunately for me my pan boiled up, and I had a
+good reason for rushing with it from the room. Glad indeed I was to get
+away, and keep out of sight until after the doctor had returned to his
+house, and most thankful that he had not perceived my emotion.
+
+As soon as he was gone I had to seek my little sanctum, and pour out my
+heart before the LORD for some time, before calmness--and more than
+calmness--thankfulness, and joy were restored to me. I felt that GOD had
+His own way, and was not going to fail me. I had sought to know His will
+early in the day, and as far as I could judge had received guidance to
+wait patiently; and now GOD was going to work for me in some other way.
+
+That evening was spent, as my Saturday evenings usually were, in reading
+the Word and preparing the subjects on which I expected to speak in the
+various lodging-houses on the morrow. I waited, perhaps, a little longer
+than usual. At last, about ten o'clock, there being no interruption of
+any kind, I put on my overcoat, and was preparing to leave for home,
+rather thankful to know that by that time I should have to let myself in
+with the latch-key, as my landlady retired early to rest. There was
+certainly no help for that night; but perhaps GOD would interpose for me
+by Monday, and I might be able to pay my landlady early in the week the
+money I would have given her before, had it been possible.
+
+Just as I was preparing to turn down the gas, I heard the doctor's step
+in the garden which lay between the dwelling-house and surgery. He was
+laughing to himself very heartily, as though greatly amused by
+something. Entering the surgery, he asked for the ledger, and told me
+that, strange to say, one of his richest patients had just come to pay
+his doctor's bill--was it not an odd thing to do? It never struck me
+that it might have any bearing on my own particular case, or I might
+have felt embarrassed; but looking at it simply from the position of an
+uninterested spectator, I also was highly amused that a man who was
+rolling in wealth should come after ten o'clock at night to pay a
+doctor's bill, which he could any day have met by a cheque with the
+greatest ease. It appeared that somehow or other he could not rest with
+this on his mind, and had been constrained to come at that unusual hour
+to discharge his liability.
+
+The account was duly receipted in the ledger, and the doctor was about
+to leave, when suddenly he turned, and handing me some of the bank notes
+just received, said, to my surprise and thankfulness, "By the way,
+Taylor, you might as well take these notes; I have not any change, but
+can give you the balance next week." Again I was left--my feelings
+undiscovered--to go back to my own little closet and praise the LORD
+with a joyful heart that after all I might go to China.
+
+To me this incident was not a trivial one; and to recall it sometimes,
+in circumstances of great difficulty, in China or elsewhere, has proved
+no small comfort and strength.
+
+By-and-by the time drew near when it was thought desirable that I should
+leave Hull to attend the medical course of the London Hospital. A little
+while spent there, and then I had every reason to believe that my
+life-work in China would commence. But much as I had rejoiced at the
+willingness of GOD to hear and answer prayer and to help His
+half-trusting, half-timid child, I felt that I could not go to China
+without having still further developed and tested my power to rest upon
+His faithfulness; and a marked opportunity for doing so was
+providentially afforded me.
+
+My dear father had offered to bear all the expense of my stay in London.
+I knew, however, that, owing to recent losses, it would mean a
+considerable sacrifice for him to undertake this just when it seemed
+necessary for me to go forward. I had recently become acquainted with
+the Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society, in connection with
+which I ultimately left for China, and especially with its secretary, my
+esteemed and much-loved friend Mr. George Pearse, then of the Stock
+Exchange, but now[1] and for many years himself a missionary. Not
+knowing of my father's proposition, the Committee also kindly offered to
+bear my expenses while in London. When these proposals were first made
+to me, I was not quite clear as to what I ought to do, and in writing to
+my father and the secretaries, told them that I would take a few days to
+pray about the matter before deciding any course of action. I mentioned
+to my father that I had had this offer from the Society, and told the
+secretaries also of his proffered aid.
+
+Subsequently, while waiting upon GOD in prayer for guidance, it became
+clear to my mind that I could without difficulty decline both offers.
+The secretaries of the Society would not know that I had cast myself
+wholly on GOD for supplies, and my father would conclude that I had
+accepted the other offer. I therefore wrote declining both propositions,
+and felt that without any one having either care or anxiety on my
+account I was simply in the hands of GOD, and that He, who knew my
+heart, if He wished to encourage me to go to China, would bless my
+effort to depend upon Him alone at home.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+FOOTNOTE:
+
+[1] Since the above was written Mr. George Pearse has died.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+LIFE IN LONDON
+
+
+I MUST not now attempt to detail the ways in which the LORD was
+pleased--often to my surprise, as well as to my delight--to help me from
+time to time. I soon found that it was not possible to live quite as
+economically in London as in Hull. To lessen expenses I shared a room
+with a cousin, four miles from the hospital, providing myself with
+board; and after various experiments I found that the most economical
+way was to live almost exclusively on brown bread and water. Thus I was
+able to make the means that GOD gave me last as long as possible. Some
+of my expenses I could not diminish, but my board was largely within my
+own control. A large twopenny loaf of brown bread, purchased daily on my
+long walk from the hospital, furnished me with supper and breakfast; and
+on that diet, with a few apples for lunch, I managed to walk eight or
+nine miles a day, besides being a good deal on foot while attending the
+practice of the hospital and the medical school.
+
+One incident that occurred just about this time I must refer to. The
+husband of my former landlady in Hull was chief officer of a ship that
+sailed from London, and by receiving his half-pay monthly and remitting
+it to her I was able to save her the cost of a commission. This I had
+been doing for several months, when she wrote requesting that I would
+obtain the next payment as early as possible, as her rent was almost
+due, and she depended upon that sum to meet it. The request came at an
+inconvenient time. I was working hard for an examination in the hope of
+obtaining a scholarship which would be of service to me, and felt that I
+could ill afford the time to go during the busiest part of the day to
+the city and procure the money. I had, however, sufficient of my own in
+hand to enable me to send the required sum. I made the remittance
+therefore, purposing, as soon as the examination was over, to go and
+draw the regular allowance with which to refund myself.
+
+Before the time of examination the medical school was closed for a day,
+on account of the funeral of the Duke of Wellington, and I had an
+opportunity of going at once to the office, which was situated in a
+street on Cheapside, and applying for the due amount. To my surprise and
+dismay the cleric told me that he could not pay it, as the officer in
+question had run away from his ship and gone to the gold diggings.
+"Well," I remarked, "that is very inconvenient for me, as I have already
+advanced the money, and I know his wife will have no means of repaying
+it." The clerk said he was sorry, but could of course only act according
+to orders; so there was no help for me in that direction. A little more
+time and thought, however, brought the comforting conclusion to my mind,
+that as I was depending on the LORD for everything, and His means were
+not limited, it was a small matter to be brought a little sooner or
+later into the position of needing fresh supplies from Him; and so the
+joy and the peace were not long interfered with.
+
+Very soon after this, possibly the same evening, while sewing together
+some sheets of paper on which to take notes of the lectures, I
+accidentally pricked the first finger of my right hand, and in a few
+moments forgot all about it. The next day at the hospital I continued
+dissecting as before. The body was that of a person who had died of
+fever, and was more than usually disagreeable and dangerous. I need
+scarcely say that those of us who were at work upon it dissected with
+special care, knowing that the slightest scratch might cost us our
+lives. Before the morning was far advanced I began to feel very weary,
+and while going through the surgical wards at noon was obliged to run
+out, being suddenly very sick--a most unusual circumstance with me, as I
+took but little food and nothing that could disagree with me. After
+feeling faint for some time, a draught of cold water revived me, and I
+was able to rejoin the students. I became more and more unwell, however,
+and ere the afternoon lecture on surgery was over found it impossible to
+hold the pencil and continue taking notes. By the time the next lecture
+was through, my whole arm and right side were full of severe pain, and I
+was both looking and feeling very ill.
+
+Finding that I could not resume work, I went into the dissecting-room to
+bind up the portion I was engaged upon and put away my apparatus, and
+said to the demonstrator, who was a very skilful surgeon, "I cannot
+think what has come over me," describing the symptoms. "Why," said he,
+"what has happened is clear enough: you must have cut yourself in
+dissecting, and you know that this is a case of malignant fever." I
+assured him that I had been most careful, and was quite certain that I
+had no cut or scratch. "Well," he replied, "you certainly must have had
+one;" and he very closely scrutinised my hand to find it, but in vain.
+All at once it occurred to me that I had pricked my finger the night
+before, and I asked him if it were possible that a prick from a needle,
+at that time, could have been still unclosed. His opinion was that this
+was probably the cause of the trouble, and he advised me to get a
+hansom, drive home as fast as I could, and arrange my affairs forthwith.
+"For," he said, "you are a dead man."
+
+My first thought was one of sorrow that I could not go to China; but
+very soon came the feeling, "Unless I am greatly mistaken, I have work
+to do in China, and shall not die." I was glad, however, to take the
+opportunity of speaking to my medical friend, who was a confirmed
+sceptic as to things spiritual, of the joy that the prospect of perhaps
+soon being with my MASTER gave me; telling him at the same time that I
+did not think I should die, as, unless I were much mistaken, I had work
+to do in China; and if so, however severe the struggle, I must be
+brought through. "That is all very well," he answered, "but you get a
+hansom and drive home as fast as you can. You have no time to lose, for
+you will soon be incapable of winding up your affairs."
+
+I smiled a little at the idea of my driving home in a hansom, for by
+this time my means were too exhausted to allow of such a proceeding, and
+I set out to walk the distance if possible. Before long, however, my
+strength gave way, and I felt it was no use to attempt to reach home by
+walking. Availing myself of an omnibus from Whitechapel Church to
+Farringdon Street, and another from Farringdon Street onwards, I
+reached, in great suffering, the neighbourhood of Soho Square, behind
+which I lived. On going into the house I got some hot water from the
+servant, and charging her very earnestly--literally as a dying man--to
+accept eternal life as the gift of GOD through JESUS CHRIST, I bathed my
+head and lanced the finger, hoping to let out some of the poisoned
+blood. The pain was very severe; I fainted away, and was for some time
+unconscious, so long that when I came to myself I found that I had been
+carried to bed.
+
+An uncle of mine who lived near at hand had come in, and sent for his
+own medical man, an assistant surgeon at the Westminster Hospital. I
+assured my uncle that medical help would be of no service to me, and
+that I did not wish to go to the expense involved. He, however, quieted
+me on this score, saying that he had sent for his own doctor, and that
+the bill would be charged to himself. When the surgeon came and learned
+all the particulars, he said, "Well, if you have been living moderately,
+you may pull through; but if you have been going in for beer and that
+sort of thing, there is no manner of chance for you." I thought that if
+sober living was to do anything, few could have a better chance, as
+little but bread and water had been my diet for a good while past. I
+told him I had lived abstemiously, and found that it helped me in study.
+"But now," he said, "you must keep up your strength, for it will be a
+pretty hard struggle." And he ordered me a bottle of port wine every
+day, and as many chops as I could consume. Again I smiled inwardly,
+having no means for the purchase of such luxuries. This difficulty,
+however, was also met by my kind uncle, who sent me at once all that was
+needed.
+
+I was much concerned, notwithstanding the agony I suffered, that my dear
+parents should not be made acquainted with my state. Thought and prayer
+had satisfied me that I was not going to die, but that there was indeed
+a work for me to do in China. If my dear parents should come up and find
+me in that condition, I must lose the opportunity of seeing how GOD was
+going to work for me, now that my money had almost come to an end. So,
+after prayer for guidance, I obtained a promise from my uncle and cousin
+not to write to my parents, but to leave me to communicate with them
+myself. I felt it was a very distinct answer to prayer when they gave me
+this promise, and I took care to defer all communication with them
+myself until the crisis was past and the worst of the attack over. At
+home they knew that I was working hard for an examination, and did not
+wonder at my silence.
+
+Days and nights of suffering passed slowly by; but at length, after
+several weeks, I was sufficiently restored to leave my room; and then I
+learned that two men, though not from the London Hospital, who had had
+dissection wounds at the same time as myself, had both succumbed, while
+I was spared in answer to prayer to work for GOD in China.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+STRENGTHENED BY FAITH
+
+
+ONE day the doctor coming in found me on the sofa, and was surprised to
+learn that with assistance I had walked downstairs. "Now," he said, "the
+best thing you can go is to get off to the country as soon as you feel
+equal to the journey. You must rusticate until you have recovered a fair
+amount of health and strength, for if you begin your work too soon the
+consequences may still be serious." When he had left, as I lay very
+exhausted on the sofa, I just told the LORD all about it, and that I was
+refraining from making my circumstances known to those who would delight
+to meet my need, in order that my faith might be strengthened by
+receiving help from Himself in answer to prayer alone. What was I to do?
+And I waited for His answer.
+
+It seemed to me as if He were directing my mind to the conclusion to go
+again to the shipping office, and inquire about the wages I had been
+unable to draw. I reminded the LORD that I could not afford to take a
+conveyance, and that it did not seem at all likely that I should succeed
+in getting the money, and asked whether this impulse was not a mere
+clutching at a straw, some mental process of my own, rather than His
+guidance and teaching. After prayer, however, and renewed waiting upon
+GOD, I was confirmed in my belief that He Himself was teaching me to go
+to the office.
+
+The next question was, "How am I to go?" I had had to seek help in
+coming downstairs, and the place was at least two miles away. The
+assurance was brought vividly home to me that whatever I asked of GOD in
+the name of CHRIST would be done, that the FATHER might be glorified in
+the SON; that what I had to do was to seek strength for the long walk,
+to receive it by faith, and to set out upon it. Unhesitatingly I told
+the LORD that I was quite willing to take the walk if He would give me
+the strength. I asked in the name of CHRIST that the strength might be
+immediately given; and sending the servant up to my room for my hat and
+stick, I set out, not to _attempt_ to walk, but TO WALK to Cheapside.
+
+Although undoubtedly strengthened by faith, I never took so much
+interest in shop windows as I did upon that journey. At every second or
+third step I was glad to lean a little against the plate glass, and take
+time to examine the contents of the windows before passing on. It needed
+a special effort of faith when I got to the bottom of Farringdon Street
+to attempt the toilsome ascent of Snow Hill: there was no Holborn
+Viaduct in those days, and it had to be done. GOD did wonderfully help
+me, and in due time I reached Cheapside, turned into the by-street in
+which the office was found, and sat down much exhausted on the steps
+leading to the first floor, which was my destination. I felt my position
+to be a little peculiar--sitting there on the steps, so evidently
+spent--and the gentlemen who rushed up and downstairs looked at me with
+an inquiring gaze. After a little rest, however, and a further season of
+prayer, I succeeded in climbing the staircase, and to my comfort found
+in the office the clerk with whom I had hitherto dealt in the matter.
+Seeing me looking pale and exhausted, he kindly inquired as to my
+health, and I told him that I had had a serious illness, and was ordered
+to the country, but thought it well to call first, and make further
+inquiry, lest there should have been any mistake about the mate having
+run off to the gold diggings. "Oh," he said, "I am so glad you have
+come, for it turns out that it was an able seaman of the same name that
+ran away. The mate is still on board; the ship has just reached
+Gravesend, and will be up very soon. I shall be glad to give you the
+half-pay up to date, for doubtless it will reach his wife more safely
+through you. We all know what temptations beset the men when they arrive
+at home after a voyage."
+
+Before, however, giving me the sum of money, he insisted upon my coming
+inside and sharing his lunch. I felt it was the LORD indeed who was
+providing for me, and accepted his offer with thankfulness. When I was
+refreshed and rested, he gave me a sheet of paper to write a few lines
+to the wife, telling her of the circumstances. On my way back I procured
+in Cheapside a money order for the balance due to her, and posted it;
+and returning home again, felt myself now quite justified in taking an
+omnibus as far as it would serve me.
+
+Very much better the next morning, after seeing to some little matters
+that I had to settle, I made my way to the surgery of the doctor who had
+attended me, feeling that, although my uncle was prepared to pay the
+bill, it was right for me, now that I had some money in hand, to ask for
+the account myself. The kind surgeon refused to allow me, as a medical
+student, to pay anything for his attendance: but he had supplied me with
+quinine, which he allowed me to pay for to the extent of eight
+shillings. When that was settled, I saw that the sum left was just
+sufficient to take me home; and to my mind the whole thing seemed a
+wonderful interposition of GOD on my behalf.
+
+I knew that the surgeon was sceptical, and told him that I should very
+much like to speak to him freely, if I might do so without offence; that
+I felt that under GOD I owed my life to his kind care, and wished very
+earnestly that he himself might become a partaker of the same precious
+faith that I possessed. So I told him my reason for being in London, and
+about my circumstances, and why I had declined the help of both my
+father and the officers of the Society in connection with which it was
+probable that I should go to China. I told him of the recent
+providential dealings of GOD with me, and how apparently hopeless my
+position had been the day before, when he had ordered me to go to the
+country, unless I would reveal my need, which I had determined not to
+do. I described to him the mental exercises I had gone through; but when
+I added that I had actually got up from the sofa and walked to
+Cheapside, he looked at me incredulously, and "Impossible! Why, I left
+you lying there more like a ghost than a man." And I had to assure him
+again and again that, strengthened by faith, the walk had really been
+taken. I told him also what money was left to me, and what payments
+there had been to make, and showed him that just sufficient remained to
+take me home to Yorkshire, providing for needful refreshment by the way
+and the omnibus journey at the end.
+
+My kind friend was completely broken down, and said with tears in his
+eyes, "I would give all the world for a faith like yours." I, on the
+other hand, had the joy of telling him that it was to be obtained
+without money and without price. We never met again. When I came back to
+town, restored to health and strength, I found that he had had a
+stroke, and left for the country; and I subsequently learned that he
+never rallied. I was able to gain no information as to his state of mind
+when taken away; but I have always felt very thankful that I had the
+opportunity, and embraced it, of bearing that testimony for GOD. I
+cannot but entertain the hope that the MASTER Himself was speaking to
+him through His dealings with me, and that I shall meet him again in the
+Better Land. It would be no small joy to be welcomed by him, when my own
+service is over.
+
+The next day found me in my dear parents' home. My joy in the LORD's
+help and deliverance was so great that I was unable to keep it to
+myself, and before my return to London my dear mother knew the secret of
+my life for some time past. I need scarcely say that when I went up
+again to town I was not allowed to live--as, indeed, I was not fit to
+live--on the same economical lines as before my illness. I needed more
+now, and the LORD did provide.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+MIGHTY TO SAVE
+
+
+RETURNING to London when sufficiently recovered to resume my studies,
+the busy life of hospital and lecture-hall was resumed; often relieved
+by happy Sundays of fellowship with Christian friends, especially in
+London or Tottenham. Opportunities for service are to be found in every
+sphere, and mine was no exception. I shall only mention one case now
+that gave me great encouragement in seeking conversion even when it
+seemed apparently hopeless.
+
+GOD had given me the joy of winning souls before, but not in
+surroundings of such special difficulty. With GOD all things are
+possible, and no conversion ever takes place save by the almighty power
+of the HOLY GHOST. The great need, therefore, of every Christian worker
+is to _know_ GOD. Indeed, this is the purpose for which He has given us
+eternal life, as our SAVIOUR Himself says, in the oft misquoted verse,
+John xvii. 3: "This is [the object of] life eternal, [not _to_ know but]
+that they _might_ know Thee the only true GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, whom
+Thou hast sent." I was now to prove the willingness of GOD to answer
+prayer for spiritual blessing under most unpromising circumstances, and
+thus to gain an increased acquaintance with the prayer-answering GOD as
+One "mighty to save."
+
+A short time before leaving for China, it became my duty daily to dress
+the foot of a patient suffering from senile gangrene. The disease
+commenced, as usual, insidiously, and the patient had little idea that
+he was a doomed man, and probably had not long to live. I was not the
+first to attend to him, but when the case was transferred to me, I
+naturally became very anxious about his soul. The family with whom he
+lived were Christians, and from them I learned that he was an avowed
+atheist, and very antagonistic to anything religious. They had, without
+asking his consent, invited a Scripture reader to visit him, but in
+great passion he had ordered him from the room. The vicar of the
+district had also called, hoping to help him; but he had spit in his
+face, and refused to allow him to speak to him. His passionate temper
+was described to me as very violent, and altogether the case seemed to
+be as hopeless as could well be imagined.
+
+Upon first commencing to attend him I prayed much about it; but for two
+or three days said nothing to him of a religious nature. By special care
+in dressing his diseased limb I was able considerably to lessen his
+sufferings, and he soon began to manifest grateful appreciation of my
+services. One day, with a trembling heart, I took advantage of his warm
+acknowledgments to tell him what was the spring of my action, and to
+speak of his own solemn position and need of GOD's mercy through CHRIST.
+It was evidently only by a powerful effort of self-restraint that he
+kept his lips closed. He turned over in bed with his back to me, and
+uttered no word.
+
+I could not get the poor man out of my mind, and very often through each
+day I pleaded with GOD, by His SPIRIT, to save him ere He took him
+hence. After dressing the wound and relieving his pain, I never failed
+to say a few words to him, which I hoped the LORD would bless. He
+always turned his back to me, looking annoyed, but never spoke a word in
+reply.
+
+After continuing this for some time, my heart sank. It seemed to me that
+I was not only doing no good, but perhaps really hardening him and
+increasing his guilt. One day, after dressing his limb and washing my
+hands, instead of returning to the bedside to speak to him, I went to
+the door, and stood hesitating for a few moments with the thought in my
+mind, "Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone." I looked at the
+man and saw his surprise, as it was the first time since speaking to him
+that I had attempted to leave without going up to his bedside to say a
+few words for my MASTER. I could bear it no longer. Bursting into tears,
+I crossed the room and said, "My friend, whether you will hear or
+whether you will forbear, I _must_ deliver _my_ soul," and went on to
+speak very earnestly to him, telling him with many tears how much I
+wished that he would let me pray with him. To my unspeakable joy he did
+not turn away, but replied, "If it will be a relief to you, do." I need
+scarcely say that I fell on my knees and poured out my whole soul to GOD
+on his behalf. I believe the LORD then and there wrought a change in his
+soul.
+
+He was never afterwards unwilling to be spoken to and prayed with, and
+within a few days he definitely accepted CHRIST as his SAVIOUR. Oh the
+joy it was to me to see that dear man rejoicing in hope of the glory of
+GOD! He told me that for forty years he had never darkened the door of
+church or chapel, and that then--forty years ago--he had only entered a
+place of worship to be married, and could not be persuaded to go inside
+when his wife was buried. Now, thank GOD, his sin-stained soul, I had
+every reason to believe, was washed, was sanctified, was justified, in
+the Name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and in the SPIRIT of our GOD.
+Oftentimes, when in my early work in China circumstances rendered me
+almost hopeless of success, I have thought of this man's conversion, and
+have been encouraged to persevere in speaking the Word, whether men
+would hear or whether they would forbear.
+
+The now happy sufferer lived for some time after this change, and was
+never tired of bearing testimony to the grace of GOD. Though his
+condition was most distressing, the alteration in his character and
+behaviour made the previously painful duty of attending him one of real
+pleasure. I have often thought since, in connection with this case and
+the work of GOD generally, of the words, "He that goeth forth _weeping_,
+bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing
+his sheaves with him." Perhaps if there were more of that intense
+distress for souls that leads to tears, we should more frequently see
+the results we desire. Sometimes it may be that while we are complaining
+of the hardness of the hearts of those we are seeking to benefit, the
+hardness of our own hearts, and our own feeble apprehension of the
+solemn reality of eternal things, may be the true cause of our want of
+success.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+VOYAGE TO CHINA
+
+
+SOON after this the time so long looked forward to arrived--the time
+that I was to leave England for China. After being set apart with many
+prayers for the ministry of GOD's Word among the heathen Chinese I left
+London for Liverpool; and on the 19th of September 1853 a little service
+was held in the stern cabin of the _Dumfries_, which had been secured
+for me by the Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society, under
+whose auspices I was going to China.
+
+My beloved, now sainted, mother had come to see me off from Liverpool.
+Never shall I forget that day, nor how she went with me into the little
+cabin that was to be my home for nearly six long months. With a mother's
+loving hand she smoothed the little bed. She sat by my side, and joined
+me in the last hymn that we should sing together before the long
+parting. We knelt down, and she prayed--the last mother's prayer I was
+to hear before starting for China. Then notice was given that we must
+separate, and we had to say good-bye, never expecting to meet on earth
+again.
+
+For my sake she restrained her feelings as much as possible. We parted;
+and she went on shore, giving me her blessing; I stood alone on deck,
+and she followed the ship as we moved towards the dock gates. As we
+passed through the gates, and the separation really commenced, I shall
+never forget the cry of anguish wrung from that mother's heart. It went
+through me like a knife. I never knew so fully, until then, what GOD
+_so_ loved the world meant. And I am quite sure that my precious mother
+learned more of the love of GOD to the perishing in that hour than in
+all her life before.
+
+Oh, how it must grieve the heart of GOD when He sees His children
+indifferent to the needs of that wide world for which His beloved, His
+only begotten SON died!
+
+          Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear;
+          Forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
+          So shall the KING desire thy beauty:
+          For He is thy LORD; and worship thou Him.
+
+Praise GOD, the number is increasing who are finding out the exceeding
+joys, the wondrous revelations of His mercies, vouchsafed to those who
+follow Him, and emptying themselves, leave all in obedience to His great
+commission.
+
+It was on 19th September 1853 that the _Dumfries_ sailed for China; and
+not until 1st March, in the spring of the following year, did I arrive
+in Shanghai.
+
+Our voyage had a rough beginning, but many had promised to remember us
+in constant prayer. No small comfort was this; for we had scarcely left
+the Mersey when a violent equinoctial gale caught us, and for twelve
+days we were beating backwards and forwards in the Irish Channel, unable
+to get out to sea. The gale steadily increased, and after almost a week
+we lay to for a time; but drifting on a lee coast, we were compelled
+again to make sail, and endeavoured to beat on to windward. The utmost
+efforts of the captain and crew, however, were unavailing; and Sunday
+night, 25th September, found us drifting into Carnarvon Bay, each tack
+becoming shorter, until at last we were within a stone's-throw of the
+rocks. About this time, as the ship, which had refused to stay, was put
+round in the other direction, the Christian captain said to me, "We
+cannot live half an hour now: what of your call to labour for the LORD
+in China?" I had previously passed through a time of much conflict, but
+that was over, and it was a great joy to feel and to tell him that I
+would not for any consideration be in any other position; that I
+strongly expected to reach China; but that, if otherwise, at any rate
+the Master would say it was well that I was found seeking to obey His
+command.
+
+Within a few minutes after wearing ship the captain walked, up to the
+compass, and said to me, "The wind has freed two points; we shall be
+able to beat out of the bay." And so we did. The bowsprit was sprung and
+the vessel seriously strained; but in a few days we got out to sea, and
+the necessary repairs were so thoroughly effected on board that our
+journey to China was in due time satisfactorily accomplished.
+
+One thing was a great trouble to me that night. I was a very young
+believer, and had not sufficient faith in GOD to see Him in and through
+the use of means. I had felt it a duty to comply with the earnest wish
+of my beloved and honoured mother, and for her sake to procure a
+swimming-belt. But in my own soul I felt as if I could not simply trust
+in GOD while I had this swimming-belt; and my heart had no rest until on
+that night, after all hope of being saved was gone, I had given it away.
+Then I had perfect peace; and, strange to say, put several light things
+together, likely to float at the time we struck, without any thought of
+inconsistency or scruple. Ever since, I have seen clearly the mistake I
+made--a mistake that is very common in these days, when erroneous
+teaching on faith-healing does much harm, misleading some as to the
+purposes of GOD, shaking the faith of others, and distressing the minds
+of many. The use of means ought not to lessen our faith in GOD; and our
+faith in GOD ought not to hinder our using whatever means He has given
+us for the accomplishment of His own purposes.
+
+For years after this I always took a swimming-belt with me, and never
+had any trouble about it; for after the storm was over, the question was
+settled for me, through the prayerful study of the Scriptures. GOD gave
+me then to see my mistake, probably to deliver me from a great deal of
+trouble on similar questions now so constantly raised. When in medical
+or surgical charge of any case, I have never thought of neglecting to
+ask GOD's guidance and blessing in the use of appropriate means, nor yet
+of omitting to give Him thanks for answered prayer and restored health.
+But to me it would appear as presumptuous and wrong to neglect the use
+of those measures which He Himself has put within our reach, as to
+neglect to take daily food, and suppose that life and health might be
+maintained by prayer alone.
+
+The voyage was a very tedious one. We lost a good deal of time on the
+equator from calms; and when we finally reached the Eastern Archipelago,
+were again detained from the same cause. Usually a breeze would spring
+up soon after sunset, and last until about dawn. The utmost use was made
+of it, but during the day we lay still with flapping sails, often
+drifting back and losing a good deal of the advantage we had gained
+during the night.
+
+This happened notably on one occasion, when we were in dangerous
+proximity to the north of New Guinea. Saturday night had brought us to a
+point some thirty miles off the land; but during the Sunday morning
+service, which was held on deck, I could not fail to notice that the
+captain looked troubled, and frequently went over to the side of the
+ship. When the service was ended, I learnt from him the cause--a
+four-knot current was carrying us rapidly towards some sunken reefs, and
+we were already so near that it seemed improbable that we should get
+through the afternoon in safety. After dinner the long-boat was put out,
+and all hands endeavoured, without success, to turn the ship's head from
+the shore. As we drifted nearer we could plainly see the natives rushing
+about the sands and lighting fires every here and there. The captain's
+horn-book informed him that these people were cannibals, so that our
+position was not a little alarming.
+
+After standing together on the deck for some time in silence, the
+captain said to me, "Well, we have done everything that can be done; we
+can only await the result." A thought occurred to me, and I replied,
+"No, there is one thing we have not done yet." "What is it?" he queried.
+"Four of us on board are Christians," I answered (the Swedish carpenter
+and our coloured steward, with the captain and myself); "let us each
+retire to his own cabin, and in agreed prayer ask the LORD to give us
+immediately a breeze. He can as easily send it now as at sunset."
+
+The captain complied with this proposal. I went and spoke to the other
+two men, and after prayer with the carpenter we all four retired to wait
+upon GOD. I had a good but very brief season in prayer, and then felt so
+satisfied that our request was granted that I could not continue asking,
+and very soon went up again on deck. The first officer, a godless man,
+was in charge. I went over and asked him to let down the clews or
+corners of the mainsail, which had been drawn up in order to lessen the
+useless flapping of the sail against the rigging. He answered, "What
+would be the good of that?" I told him we had been asking a wind from
+GOD, that it was coming immediately, and we were so near the reef by
+this time that there was not a minute to lose. With a look of
+incredulity and contempt, he said with an oath that he would rather see
+a wind than hear of it! But while he was speaking I watched his eye, and
+followed it up to the royal (the topmost sail), and there, sure enough,
+the corner of the sail was beginning to tremble in the coming breeze.
+"Don't you see the wind is coming? Look at the royal!" I exclaimed. "No,
+it is only a cat's-paw," he rejoined (a mere puff of wind). "Cat's-paw
+or not," I cried, "pray let down the mainsail, and let us have the
+benefit!"
+
+This he was not slow to do. In another minute the heavy tread of the men
+on the deck brought up the captain from his cabin to see what was the
+matter; and he saw that the breeze had indeed come. In a few minutes we
+were ploughing our way at six or seven knots an hour through the water,
+and the multitude of naked savages whom we had seen on the beach had no
+wreckage that night. We were soon out of danger; and though the wind was
+sometimes unsteady, we did not altogether lose it until after passing
+the Pelew Islands.
+
+Thus GOD encouraged me, ere landing on China's shores, to bring every
+variety of need to Him in prayer, and _to expect that He would honour
+the Name_ of the LORD JESUS, and give the help which each emergency
+required.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+EARLY MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES
+
+
+ON landing in Shanghai on 1st March 1854, I found myself surrounded with
+difficulties that were wholly unexpected. A band of rebels, known as the
+"Red Turbans," had taken possession of the native city, against which
+was encamped an Imperial army of from forty to fifty thousand men, who
+were a much greater source of discomfort and danger to the little
+European community than were the rebels themselves. Upon landing, I was
+told that to live outside the Settlement was impossible, while within
+the foreign concession apartments were scarcely obtainable at any price.
+The dollar, now worth about three shillings, had risen to a value of
+eight-and-ninepence, and the prospect for one with only a small income
+of English money was dark indeed. However, I had three letters of
+introduction, and counted on counsel and help, especially from one of
+those to whom I had been commended, whose friends I well knew and highly
+valued. Of course I sought him out at once, but only to learn that he
+had been buried a month or two before, having died from fever during the
+time of my voyage.
+
+Saddened by these tidings, I inquired for a missionary to whom another
+of my letters of introduction was addressed; but a further
+disappointment awaited me--he had left for America. The third letter
+remained; but as it had been given by a comparative stranger, I had
+expected less from it than from the other two. It proved, however, to be
+GOD's channel of help. The Rev. Dr. Medhurst, of the London Mission, to
+whom it was addressed, introduced me to Dr. Lockhart, who kindly allowed
+me to live with him for six months. Dr. Medhurst procured my first
+Chinese teacher; and he, Dr. Edkins, and the late Mr. Alexander Wylie
+gave me considerable help with the language.
+
+Those were indeed troublous times, and times of danger. Coming out of
+the city one day with Mr. Wylie, he entered into conversation with two
+coolies, while we waited a little while at the East Gate for a companion
+who was behind us. Before our companion came up an attack upon the city
+from the batteries on the opposite side of the river commenced, which
+caused us to hurry away to a place of less danger, the whiz of the balls
+being unpleasantly near. The coolies, unfortunately, stayed too long,
+and were wounded. On reaching the Settlement we stopped a few minutes to
+make a purchase, and then proceeded at once to the London Mission
+compound, where, at the door of the hospital, we found the two poor
+coolies with whom Mr. Wylie had conversed, their four ankles terribly
+shattered by a cannon ball. The poor fellows declined amputation, and
+both died. We felt how narrow had been our escape.
+
+At another time, early in the morning, I had joined one of the
+missionaries on his verandah to watch the battle proceeding, at a
+distance of perhaps three-quarters of a mile, when suddenly a spent ball
+passed between us and buried itself in the verandah wall. Another day my
+friend Mr. Wylie left a book on the table after luncheon, and returning
+for it about five minutes later, found the arm of the chair on which he
+had been sitting shot clean away. But in the midst of these and many
+other dangers GOD protected us.
+
+After six months' stay with Dr. Lockhart, I rented a native house
+outside the Settlement, and commenced a little missionary work amongst
+my Chinese neighbours, which for a few months continued practicable.
+When the French joined the Imperialists in attacking the city, the
+position of my house became so dangerous that during the last few weeks,
+in consequence of nightly recurring skirmishes, I gave up attempting to
+sleep except in the daytime. One night a fire appeared very near, and I
+climbed up to a little observatory I had arranged on the roof of the
+house, to see whether it was necessary to attempt escape. While there a
+ball struck the ridge of the roof on the opposite side of the
+quadrangle, showering pieces of broken tile all around me, while the
+ball itself rolled down into the court below. It weighed four or five
+pounds; and had it come a few inches higher, would probably have spent
+its force on me instead of on the building. My dear mother kept the ball
+for many years. Shortly after this I had to abandon the house and return
+to the Foreign Settlement--a step that was taken none too soon, for
+before the last of my belongings were removed, the house was burnt to
+the ground.
+
+Of the trials of this early period it is scarcely possible to convey any
+adequate idea. To one of a sensitive nature, the horrors, atrocities,
+and misery connected with war were a terrible ordeal. The embarrassment
+also of the times was considerable. With an income of only eighty pounds
+a year, I was compelled, upon moving into the Settlement, to give one
+hundred and twenty for rent, and sublet half the house; and though the
+Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society increased my income
+when, after the arrival of Dr. Parker, they learned more of our
+circumstances, many painful experiences had necessarily been passed
+through. Few can realise how distressing to so young and untried a
+worker these difficulties seemed, or the intense loneliness of the
+position of a pioneer who could not even hint at many of his
+circumstances, as to do so would have been a tacit appeal for help.
+
+The great enemy is always ready with his oft-repeated suggestion, "All
+these things are against me." But oh, how false the word! The cold, and
+even the hunger, the watchings and sleeplessness of nights of danger,
+and the feeling at times of utter isolation and helplessness, were well
+and wisely chosen, and tenderly and lovingly meted out. What
+circumstances could have rendered the Word of GOD more sweet, the
+presence of GOD more real, the help of GOD more precious? They were
+times, indeed, of emptying and humbling, but were experiences that made
+not ashamed, and that strengthened purpose to go forward as GOD might
+direct, with His _proved_ promise, "I will not fail thee, nor forsake
+thee." One can see, even now, that as for GOD, His way is perfect, and
+yet can rejoice that the missionary path of to-day is comparatively a
+smooth and an easy one.
+
+Journeying inland was contrary to treaty arrangements, and attended with
+much difficulty, especially for some time after the battle of Muddy
+Flat, in which an Anglo-American contingent of about three hundred
+marines and seamen, with a volunteer corps of less than a hundred
+residents, attacked the Imperial camp, and drove away from thirty to
+fifty thousand Chinese soldiers, the range of our shot and shell making
+the native artillery useless. Still, in the autumn of 1854 a journey of
+perhaps a week's duration was safely accomplished with Dr. Edkins, who
+of course did the speaking and preaching, while I was able to help in
+the distribution of books.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+FIRST EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS
+
+
+A JOURNEY taken in the spring of 1855 with the Rev. J. S. Burden of the
+Church Missionary Society (now the Bishop of Victoria, Hong-kong) was
+attended with some serious dangers.
+
+In the great mouth of the river Yang-tse, distant some thirty miles to
+the north of Shanghai, lies the group of islands of which Ts'ung-ming
+and Hai-men are the largest and most important; and farther up the
+river, where the estuary narrows away from the sea, is situated the
+influential city of T'ung-chau, close to Lang-shan, or the Wolf
+Mountains, famous as a resort for pilgrim devotees. We spent some time
+in evangelising on those islands, and then proceeded to Lang-shan, where
+we preached and gave books to thousands of the devotees who were
+attending an idolatrous festival. From thence we went on to T'ung-chau,
+and of our painful experiences there the following journal will tell:--
+
+
+                                      _Thursday, April 26th, 1855._
+
+After breakfast we commended ourselves to the care of our Heavenly
+FATHER, and sought His Blessing before proceeding to this great city.
+The day was dull and wet. We felt persuaded that Satan would not allow
+us to assail his kingdom, as we were attempting to do, without raising
+serious opposition; but we were also fully assured that it was the will
+of GOD that we should preach CHRIST in this city, and distribute the
+Word of Truth among its people. We were sorry that we had but few books
+left for such an important place: the result, however, proved that this
+also was providential.
+
+Our native teachers did their best to persuade us not to go into the
+city; but we determined that, by GOD'S help, nothing should hinder us.
+We directed them, however, to remain in one of the boats; and if we did
+not return, to learn whatever they could respecting our fate, and make
+all possible haste to Shanghai with the information. We also arranged
+that the other boat should wait for us, even if we could not get back
+that night, so that we might not be detained for want of a boat in case
+of returning later. We then put our books into two bags, and with a
+servant who always accompanied us on these occasions, set off for the
+city, distant about seven miles. Walking was out of the question, from
+the state of the roads, so we availed ourselves of wheel-barrows, the
+only conveyance to be had in these parts. A wheel-barrow is cheaper than
+a sedan, only requiring one coolie; but is by no means an agreeable
+conveyance on rough, dirty roads.
+
+We had not gone far before the servant requested permission to go back,
+as he was thoroughly frightened by reports concerning the native
+soldiery. Of course we at once consented, not wishing to involve another
+in trouble, and determined to carry the books ourselves, and look for
+physical as well as spiritual strength to Him who had promised to supply
+all our need.
+
+At this point a respectable man came up, and earnestly warned us against
+proceeding, saying that if we did we should find to our sorrow what the
+T'ung-chau militia were like. We thanked him for his kindly counsel, but
+could not act upon it, as our hearts were fixed, whether it were to
+bonds, imprisonment, and death, or whether to distribute our Scriptures
+and tracts in safety, and return unhurt, we knew not; but we were
+determined, by the grace of GOD, not to leave T'ung-chau any longer
+without the Gospel, nor its teeming thousands to die in uncared-for
+ignorance of the Way of life.
+
+After this my wheel-barrow man would proceed no farther, and I had to
+seek another, who was fortunately not difficult to find. As we went on,
+the ride in the mud and rain was anything but agreeable, and we could
+not help feeling the danger of our position, although wavering not for a
+moment. At intervals we encouraged one another with promises from the
+Scripture and verses of hymns. That verse--
+
+          "The perils of the sea, the perils of the land,
+          Should not dishearten thee: thy LORD is nigh at hand.
+          But should thy courage fail, when tried and sore oppressed,
+          His promise shall avail, and set thy soul at rest."
+
+seemed particularly appropriate to our circumstances, and was very
+comforting to me.
+
+On our way we passed through one small town of about a thousand
+inhabitants; and here, in the Mandarin dialect, I preached JESUS to a
+good number of people. Never was I so happy in speaking of the love of
+GOD and the atonement of JESUS CHRIST. My own soul was richly blessed,
+and filled with joy and peace; and I was able to speak with unusual
+freedom and ease. And how rejoiced I was when, afterwards, I heard one
+of our hearers repeating to the newcomers, in his own local dialect, the
+truths upon which I had been dwelling! Oh, how thankful I felt to hear a
+Chinaman, of his own accord, telling his fellow-countrymen that GOD
+loved them; that they were sinners, but that JESUS died instead of
+them, and paid the penalty of their guilt. That one moment repaid me for
+all the trials we had passed through; and I felt that if the LORD should
+grant HIS HOLY SPIRIT to change the heart of that man, we had not come
+in vain.
+
+We distributed a few Testaments and tracts, for the people were able to
+read, and we could not leave them without the Gospel. It was well that
+we did so, for when we reached T'ung-chau we found we had quite as many
+left as we had strength to carry.
+
+Nearing the end of our journey, as we approached the western suburb of
+the city, the prayer of the early Christians, when persecution was
+commencing, came to my mind: "And now, LORD, behold their threatenings,
+and grant unto Thy servants that with all boldness they may speak Thy
+Word." In this petition we most heartily united. Before entering the
+suburb we laid our plans, so as to act in concert, and told our
+wheel-barrow men where to await us, that they might not be involved in
+any trouble on our account. Then looking up to our Heavenly FATHER, we
+committed ourselves to His keeping, took our books, and set on for the
+city.
+
+For some distance we walked along the principal street of the suburb
+leading to the West Gate unmolested, and were amused at the unusual
+title of _Heh-kwei-tsi_ (black devils) which was applied to us. We
+wondered about it at the time, but afterwards found that it was our
+clothes, and not our skin, that gave rise to it. As we passed several of
+the soldiers, I remarked to Mr. Burdon that these were the men we had
+heard so much about, and that they seemed willing to receive us quietly
+enough. Long before we reached the gate, however, a tall powerful man,
+made tenfold fiercer by partial intoxication, let us know that all the
+militia were not so peaceably inclined, by seizing Mr. Burdon by the
+shoulders. My companion endeavoured to shake him off. I turned to see
+what was the matter, and at once we were surrounded by a dozen or more
+brutal men, who hurried us on to the city at a fearful pace.
+
+My bag now began to feel very heavy, and I could not change hands to
+relieve myself. I was soon in a profuse perspiration, and was scarcely
+able to keep pace with them. We demanded to be taken before the chief
+magistrate, but were told that they knew where to take us, and what to
+do with such persons as we were, with the most insulting epithets. The
+man who first seized Mr. Burdon soon afterwards left him for me, and
+became my principal tormentor; for I was neither so tall nor so strong
+as my friend, and was therefore less able to resist him. He all but
+knocked me down again and again, seized me by the hair, took hold of my
+collar so as to almost choke me, and grasped my arms and shoulders,
+making them black and blue. Had this treatment continued much longer, I
+must have fainted. All but exhausted, how refreshing was the remembrance
+of a verse quoted by my dear mother in one of my last home letters--
+
+          "We speak of the realms of the blest,
+          That country so bright and so fair,
+          And oft are its glories confessed;
+          But what must it be to be there!"
+
+To be absent from the body! to be present with the LORD! to be free from
+sin! And this is the end of the worst that man's malice can ever bring
+upon us.
+
+As we were walking along Mr. Burdon tried to give away a few books that
+he was carrying, not knowing whether we might have another opportunity
+of doing so; but the fearful rage of the soldier, and the way he
+insisted on manacles being brought, which fortunately were not at hand,
+convinced us that in our present position we could do no good in
+attempting book-distribution. There was nothing to be done but quietly
+to submit, and go along with our captors.
+
+Once or twice a quarrel arose as to how we should be dealt with; the
+more mild of our conductors saying that we ought to be taken to the
+magistrate's office, but others wishing to kill us at once without
+appeal to any authority. Our minds were kept in perfect peace; and when
+thrown together on one of these occasions, we reminded each other that
+the Apostles rejoiced that they were counted _worthy_ to suffer in the
+cause of CHRIST. Having succeeded in getting my hand into my pocket, I
+produced a Chinese card (if the large red paper, bearing one's name, may
+be so called), and after this was treated with more respect. I demanded
+it should be given to the chief official of the place, and that we
+should be led to his office. Before this we had been unable, say what we
+would, to persuade them that we were foreigners, although we were both
+in English attire.
+
+Oh the long weary streets that we were dragged through! I thought they
+would never end; and seldom have I felt more thankful than when we
+stopped at a place where we were told a mandarin resided. Quite
+exhausted, bathed in perspiration, and with my tongue cleaving to the
+roof of my mouth, I leaned against the wall, and saw that Mr. Burdon was
+in much the same condition. I requested them to bring us chairs, but
+they told us to wait; and when I begged them to give us some tea,
+received only the same answer. Round the doorway a large crowd had
+gathered; and Mr. Burdon, collecting his remaining strength, preached
+CHRIST JESUS to them. Our cards and books had been taken in to the
+mandarin, but he proved to be one of low rank, and after keeping us
+waiting for some time he referred us to his superiors in office.
+
+Upon hearing this, and finding that it was their purpose to turn us out
+again into the crowded streets, we positively refused to move a single
+step, and insisted on chairs being brought. After some demur this was
+done; we seated ourselves in them, and were carried on. On the road we
+felt so glad of the rest which the chairs afforded us, and so thankful
+at having been able to preach JESUS in spite of Satan's malice, that our
+joy was depicted on our countenances; and as we passed along we heard
+some say that we did not look like bad men, while others seemed to pity
+us. When we arrived at the magistrate's office, I wondered where we were
+being taken; for though we passed through some great gates that looked
+like those of the city wall, we were still evidently within the city. A
+second pair of gates suggested the idea that it was a prison into which
+we were being carried; but when we came in sight of a large tablet, with
+the inscription "_Ming chi fu mu_" (the father and mother of the
+people), we felt that we had been conveyed to the right place; this
+being the title assumed by the mandarins.
+
+Our cards were again sent in, and after a short delay we were taken into
+the presence of Ch'en Ta Lao-ie (the Great Venerable Father Ch'en), who,
+as it proved, had formerly been Tao-tai of Shanghai, and consequently
+knew the importance of treating foreigners with courtesy. Coming before
+him, some of the people fell on their knees and bowed down to the
+ground, and my conductor motioned for me to do the same, but without
+success. This mandarin, who seemed to be the highest authority of
+T'ung-chau, and wore an opaque blue button on his cap, came out to meet
+us, and treated us with every possible token of respect. He took us to
+an inner apartment, a more private room, but was followed by a large
+number of writers, runners, and other semi-officials. I related the
+object of our visit, and begged permission to give him copies of our
+books and tracts, for which he thanked me. As I handed him a copy of the
+New Testament with part of the Old (from Genesis to Ruth) and some
+tracts, I tried to explain a little about them, and also to give him a
+brief summary of our teachings. . . . He listened very attentively, as of
+course did all the others present. He then ordered some refreshments to
+be brought in, which were very welcome, and himself partook of them with
+us.
+
+After a long stay, we asked permission to see something of the city, and
+to distribute the books we had brought, before our return. To this he
+kindly consented. We then mentioned that we had been most
+disrespectfully treated as we came in, but that we did not attach much
+importance to the fact, being aware that the soldiers knew no better.
+Not desiring, however, to have such an experience repeated, we requested
+him to give orders that we were not to be further molested. This also he
+promised to do, and with every possible token of respect accompanied us
+to the door of his official residence, sending several runners to see
+that we were respectfully treated. We distributed our books well and
+quickly, and left the city quite in state. It was amusing to us to see
+the way in which the runners made use of their tails. When the street
+was blocked by the crowd, they turned them into whips, and laid them
+about the people's shoulders to right and left!
+
+We had a little trouble in finding our wheel-barrows; but eventually
+succeeding, we paid off the chair coolies, mounted our humble vehicles,
+and returned to the river, accompanied for fully half the distance by an
+attendant from the magistrate's office. Early in the evening we got back
+to the boats in safety, sincerely thankful to our Heavenly FATHER for
+His gracious protection and aid.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+WITH THE REV. WILLIAM BURNS
+
+
+AFTER the retaking of Shanghai by the Imperialists, in February 1855, I
+was enabled to rent a house within the walls of the native city, and
+gladly availed myself of this opportunity to reside amidst the crowded
+population left to inhabit the ruins that had survived the war. Here I
+made my headquarters, though often absent on more or less prolonged
+itinerations.
+
+At the suggestion of the Rev. Dr. Medhurst, the veteran leader of the
+London Mission, I was led at about this period to adopt the native
+costume in preference to foreign dress, to facilitate travel and
+residence inland. The Chinese had permitted a foreign firm to build a
+silk factory some distance inland, with the proviso that the style of
+building must be purely Chinese, and that there should be nothing
+external to suggest that it was foreign. Much benefit was found to
+result from this change of costume; and I, and most of those associated
+with me, have continued to use native dress.
+
+The T'ai-p'ing rebellion, commenced in 1851, had by this time reached
+the height of its ephemeral success. The great city of Nan-king had
+fallen before the invading host; and there, within two hundred miles of
+Shanghai, the rebels had established their headquarters, and proceeded
+to fortify themselves for further conquests. During the summer of 1855
+various attempts were made to visit the leaders of the movement, in
+order to bring to bear some decidedly Christian influence upon them; but
+so little success was met with, that these efforts were abandoned.
+
+I, amongst others, had sought to reach Nan-king; but finding it
+impossible to do so, turned my attention again to evangelistic work on
+the island of Ts'ung-ming. After some time I was enabled so far to
+overcome the prejudice and fears of the people as to rent a little house
+and settle down in their midst. This was a great joy and encouragement
+to me; but before many weeks were over complaints were made by the local
+authorities to the British Consul, who compelled me to retire; though
+the French Consul had himself secured to the Romish missionaries a
+property within three or four miles of the house I had to vacate. Sorely
+tried and disappointed by this unexpected hindrance, I reluctantly
+returned to Shanghai, little dreaming of the blessing that GOD had in
+store for me there.
+
+A few months previously the Rev. William Burns, of the English
+Presbyterian Mission, had arrived in that port on his return journey
+from home; and before proceeding to his former sphere of service in the
+southern province of FU-KIEN, he had endeavoured, like myself, without
+success, to visit the T'ai-p'ing rebels at Nan-king. Failing in this
+attempt, he made his headquarters in Shanghai for a season, devoting
+himself to the evangelisation of the surrounding populous regions. Thus
+in the autumn of the year I was providentially led into association with
+this beloved and honoured servant of GOD.
+
+We journeyed together, evangelising cities and towns in southern
+KIANG-SU and north CHEH-KIANG, living in our boats, and following the
+course of the canals and rivers which here spread like a network over
+the whole face of the rich and fertile country. Mr. Burns at that time
+was wearing English dress; but saw that while I was the younger and in
+every way less experienced, I had the quiet hearers, while he was
+followed by the rude boys, and by the curious but careless; that I was
+invited to the homes of the people, while he received an apology that
+the crowd that would follow precluded his being invited. After some
+weeks of observation he also adopted the native dress, and enjoyed the
+increased facilities which it gave.
+
+Those happy months were an unspeakable joy and privilege to me. His love
+for the Word was delightful, and his holy, reverential life and constant
+communings with GOD made fellowship with him satisfying to the deep
+cravings of my heart. His accounts of revival work and of persecutions
+in Canada, and Dublin, and in Southern China were most instructive, as
+well as interesting; for with true spiritual insight he often pointed
+out GOD's purposes in trial in a way that made all life assume quite a
+new aspect and value. His views especially about evangelism as the great
+work of the Church, and the order of lay evangelists as a lost order
+that Scripture required to be restored, were seed-thoughts which were to
+prove fruitful in the subsequent organisation of the China Inland
+Mission.
+
+Externally, however, our path was not always a smooth one; but when
+permitted to stay for any length of time in town or city, the
+opportunity was well utilised. We were in the habit of leaving our
+boats, after prayer for blessing, at about nine o'clock in the morning,
+with a light bamboo stool in hand. Selecting a suitable station, one
+would mount the stool and speak for twenty minutes, while the other was
+pleading for blessing; and then changing places, the voice of the first
+speaker had a rest. After an hour or two thus occupied, we would move on
+to another point at some distance from the first, and speak again.
+Usually about midday we returned to our boats for dinner, fellowship,
+and prayer, and then resumed our out-door work until dusk. After tea and
+further rest, we would go with our native helpers to some tea-shop,
+where several hours might be spent in free conversation with the people.
+Not infrequently before leaving a town we had good reason to believe
+that much truth had been grasped; and we placed many Scriptures and
+books in the hands of those interested. The following letter was written
+by Mr. Burns to his mother at home in Scotland about this time:--
+
+
+                            "TWENTY-FIVE MILES FROM SHANGHAI,
+                                        _January 26th, 1856_.
+
+          "Taking advantage of a rainy day which confines me
+          to my boat, I pen a few lines, in addition to a
+          letter to Dundee, containing particulars which I
+          need not repeat. It is now forty-one days since I
+          left Shanghai on this last occasion. A young
+          English missionary, Mr. Taylor, of the Chinese
+          Evangelisation Society, has been my companion
+          during these weeks--he in his boat, and I in
+          mine--and we have experienced much mercy, and on
+          some occasions considerable assistance in our
+          work.
+
+          "I must once more tell the story I have had to
+          tell already more than once--how four weeks ago,
+          on December 29th, I put on the Chinese dress,
+          which I am now wearing. Mr. Taylor had made this
+          change a few months before, and I found that he
+          was, in consequence, so much less incommoded in
+          preaching, etc., by the crowd, that I concluded it
+          was my duty to follow his example. We were at that
+          time more than double the distance from Shanghai
+          that we are now, and would still have been at as
+          great a distance had we not met at one place with
+          a band of lawless people, who demanded money and
+          threatened to break our boats if their demands
+          were refused. The boatmen were very much alarmed,
+          and insisted on returning to some place nearer
+          home. These people had previously broken in,
+          violently, a part of Mr. Taylor's boat, because
+          their unreasonable demand for books was not
+          complied with.
+
+          "We have a large, very large, field of labour in
+          this region, though it might be difficult in the
+          meantime for one to establish himself in any
+          particular place; the people listen with
+          attention, but we need the Power from on High to
+          convince and convert. Is there any spirit of
+          prayer on our behalf among GOD's people in
+          Kilsyth? or is there any effort to seek this
+          spirit? How great the need is, and how great the
+          arguments and motives for prayer in this case. The
+          harvest here is indeed great, and the labourers
+          are few, and imperfectly fitted without much grace
+          for such a work. And yet grace can make the few
+          and feeble instruments the means of accomplishing
+          great things--things greater than we can even
+          conceive."
+
+The incident referred to in this letter, which led to our return to
+Shanghai more speedily than we had at first intended, took place on the
+northern border of CHEH-KIANG. We had reached a busy market town known
+by the name of Wu-chen, or Black Town, the inhabitants of which, we had
+been told, were the wildest and most lawless people in that part of the
+country. Such indeed we found them to be: the town was a refuge for salt
+smugglers and other bad characters. The following extracts are taken
+from my journal, written at the time:--
+
+
+                                                  _January 8th, 1856._
+
+Commenced our work in Wu-chen this morning by distributing a large
+number of tracts and some Testaments. The people seemed much surprised,
+and we could not learn that any foreigner had been here before. We
+preached twice--once in the temple of the God of War, and afterwards in
+an empty space left by a fire, which had completely destroyed many
+houses. In the afternoon we preached again to a large and attentive
+audience on the same site; and in the evening adjourned to a tea-shop,
+where we had a good opportunity of speaking until it got noised abroad
+that we were there, when, too many people coming in, we were obliged to
+leave. Our native assistants, Tsien and Kuei-hua, were able, however, to
+remain. Returning to our boats, we spoke to a number of people standing
+on a bridge, and felt we had abundant reason to be thankful and
+encouraged by the result of our first day's labour.
+
+
+                                                   _January 10th._
+
+First sent Tsien and Kuei-hua to distribute some sheet tracts. After
+their return we went with them, and in a space cleared by fire we
+separated, and addressed two audiences. On our return to the boats for
+lunch, we found people waiting, as usual, and desiring books. Some were
+distributed to those who were able to read them; and then asking them
+kindly to excuse us while we took our midday meal, I went into my boat
+and shut the door.
+
+Hardly was there time to pour out a cup of tea when a battering began,
+and the roof was at once broken in. I went out at the back, and found
+four or five men taking the large lumps of frozen earth turned up in a
+field close by--weighing, I should suppose, from seven to fourteen
+pounds each--and throwing them at the boat. Remonstrance was of no
+avail, and it was not long ere a considerable part of the upper
+structure of the boat was broken to pieces, and a quantity of earth
+covered the things inside. Finally, Tsien got a boat that was passing to
+land him at a short distance, and by a few tracts drew away the
+attention of the men, thus ending the assault.
+
+We now learned that of those who had done the mischief only two were
+natives of the place, the others being salt smugglers, and that the
+cause was our not having satisfied their unreasonable demand for books.
+Most providentially no one was injured; and as soon as quiet was
+somewhat restored, we all met in Mr. Burns's boat and joined in
+thanksgiving that we had been preserved from personal harm, praying also
+for the perpetrators of the mischief, and that it might be over-ruled
+for good to us and to those with us. We then took our lunch and went on
+shore, and but a few steps from the boats addressed a large multitude
+that soon assembled. We were specially assisted; never were we heard
+with more attention, and not one voice was found to sympathise with the
+men who had molested us. In the evening, at the tea-shops, the same
+spirit was manifested, and some seemed to hear with joy the glad tidings
+of salvation through a crucified and risen SAVIOUR.
+
+As we came home we passed a barber's shop still open, and I went in, and
+while getting my head shaved had an opportunity of speaking to a few
+people, and afterwards pasted a couple of sheet tracts on the wall for
+the benefit of future customers.
+
+
+                                                      _January 11th._
+
+A respectable shop-keeper of the name of Yao, who on the first or second
+day of our stay at Wu-chen had received portions of the New Testament
+and a tract, came yesterday, when our boat was broken, to beg for some
+more books. At that time we were all in confusion from the damage done,
+and from the earth thrown into the boat, and so invited him to come
+again in a day or two's time, when we would gladly supply him. This
+morning he appeared and handed in the following note:--
+
+"On a former day I begged Burns and Taylor, the two '_Rabbis_,' to give
+me good books. It happened at that time those of our town whose hearts
+were deceived by _Satan_, not knowing the _Son of David_, went so far as
+to dare to '_raca_' and '_moreh_' and injure your respected boat. I
+thank you for promising afterwards to give the books, and beg the
+following: Complete New Testament, 'Discourse of a Good Man when near
+his Death,' 'Important Christian Doctrines,' an Almanack, 'Principles of
+Christianity,' 'Way to make the World happy,'--of each one copy. Sung
+and Tsien, and all teachers I hope are well. Further compliments are
+unwritten."
+
+This note is interesting, as showing that he had been reading the New
+Testament attentively, as the italicised words were all taken from it.
+His use of "raca" and "moreh" for reviling, shows their meaning was not
+lost upon him.
+
+After supplying this man, we went out with Tsien and Kuei-hua to the
+east of the town, and spoke in the street for a short time. Upon
+returning to the boats, I was visited by two CHIH-LI men, who are in the
+magistrate's office here. I was greatly helped in speaking to them of a
+crucified SAVIOUR in the Mandarin dialect; and though one of them did
+not pay much attention, the other did, and made inquiries that showed
+the interest he was feeling. When they had left, I went on shore and
+spoke to the people collected there, to whom Kuei-hua had been
+preaching. The setting sun afforded a parable, and reminded one of the
+words of JESUS, "The night cometh, when no man can work;" and as I spoke
+of the uncertain duration of this life, and of our ignorance as to the
+time of CHRIST'S return, a degree of deep seriousness prevailed that I
+had never previously witnessed in China. I engaged in prayer, and the
+greatest decorum was observed. I then returned to my boat with a
+Buddhist priest who had been in the audience, and he admitted that
+Buddhism was a system of deceit that could give no hope in death.
+
+
+                                                      _January 12th._
+
+In the afternoon we addressed the people on shore close to our boats,
+also in one of the streets of the city, and in a tea-shop, books being
+distributed on each occasion. In the evening we went as usual to speak
+in the tea-shops, but determined to go to the opposite end of the town,
+in order to afford those who lived there a better opportunity of meeting
+with us. It was a long straggling place, nearly two English miles in
+length. As Mr. Burns and I were accustomed to talk together in Chinese,
+this conclusion was known to those in the boats.
+
+After we had proceeded a short distance we changed our minds, and went
+instead to the usual tea-shop, thinking that persons might have gone
+there expecting to meet us. But this was not the case; and we did not
+find such serious hearers as we had done on previous occasions. On this
+account Mr. Burns proposed leaving earlier than usual, and we did so,
+telling Tsien and Kuei-hua that they might remain a little longer.
+Returning to the boats, we gave away a few books; but, singularly
+enough, were left to go alone, no one accompanying us, as is so
+generally the case. Instead of being a clear night, as it was when we
+started, we found that it had become intensely dark. On our way we met
+the boatman, whose manner seemed very strange, and without giving us any
+explanation he blew out the candle of our lantern; we relighted the
+lantern, telling him not to put it out again, when to our surprise he
+deliberately removed the candle and threw it into the canal. He then
+walked down along a low wall jutting out to the river's edge, and gazed
+into the water.
+
+Not knowing what was the matter with him, I ran forward to hold him,
+fearful lest he were going to drown himself; but to my great relief he
+came quietly back. In answer to our repeated questions he told us not to
+speak, for some bad men were seeking to destroy the boats, and they had
+moved away to avoid them. He then led us to the place where one of them
+was lying. Before long Tsien and Kuei-hua came and got safely on board,
+and soon after we were joined by the teacher Sung, and the boat moved
+away.
+
+The cause of all this disturbance was then explained. A man professing
+to be the constable had come to the boats in our absence, with a written
+demand for ten dollars and a quantity of opium. He stated that there
+were more than fifty country people (salt smugglers) awaiting our reply
+in an adjoining tea-shop; and if we gave them what they wanted, and
+three hundred cash to pay for their tea, we might remain in peace; but
+that if not, they would come at once and destroy our boats. Sung told
+them that we could not comply with their demand; for, not being engaged
+in trade, but only in preaching and book-distribution, we had not an
+atom of opium, and that our money was nearly all expended. The man,
+however, told him plainly that he did not believe him, and Sung had no
+alternative but to seek us out, desiring the man to await our reply. Not
+knowing that we had changed our plans, he sought us in the wrong
+direction, and of course in vain.
+
+In the meanwhile the boatmen had succeeded in moving off. They were very
+much alarmed; and having so recently had proof of what these men would
+do in open daylight, felt no desire to experience what they might
+attempt by night. Moving away, therefore, they had separated, so that if
+one boat should be injured the other might afford us a refuge. It was
+after this that we had providentially met the boatman, and had been
+safely led on board. As Sung repassed the place where we were previously
+moored, he saw between the trees a dozen or more men, and heard them
+inquiring where the boats had gone to; but no one could tell.
+Fortunately they sought in vain.
+
+After a while the two boats joined, and rowed together for some time. It
+was already late, and to travel by night in that part of the country was
+not the way to avoid danger from evil men; so the question arose as to
+what should be done. This we left for the boatmen to decide; they had
+moved off of their own accord, and we felt that whatever we personally
+might desire we could not constrain others to remain in a position of
+danger on our account. We urged them, however, to do quickly whatever
+they intended to do, as the morrow was the LORD'S DAY, when we should
+not wish to travel. We also informed them that wherever we were we must
+fulfil our mission, and preach the Gospel; it therefore made but little
+difference where we might stay, for even if we passed the night
+unperceived, we were sure to be found out on the following morning. The
+men consequently concluded that we might as well return to the place
+from which we had started; to this we fully agreed, and they turned back
+accordingly. But--whether by accident or no we could not tell--they got
+into another stream, and rowed for some time they knew not whither. At
+last, as it was very dark, they moored for the night.
+
+We then called all the boatmen together, with our native assistants, and
+read to them the ninety-first Psalm. It may be imagined how appropriate
+to our position and need and how sweetly consoling was this portion of
+GOD'S Word:--
+
+  "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the MOST HIGH
+   Shall abide under the shadow of the ALMIGHTY.
+   I will say of the LORD, _He_ is my refuge and my fortress:
+   My GOD; in Him will I trust.
+
+  "Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,
+   And from the noisome pestilence.
+
+   He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings
+         shalt thou trust:
+   His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
+   Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;
+   Nor for the arrow that flieth by day.
+
+  "Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him.
+   I will set him on high, because he hath known My Name.
+   He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
+   I will be with him in trouble;--I will deliver him, and honour him.
+   With long life will I satisfy him,--and show him My salvation."
+
+Committing ourselves in prayer to His care and keeping Who had covered
+us with thick darkness and permitted us to escape from the hand of the
+violent, we retired for the night; which--thanks to the kind protection
+of the WATCHMAN OF ISRAEL, who neither slumbers nor forgets His
+people--we passed in peace and quietness, and were enabled, in some
+measure, to realise the truth of that precious word, "_Thou_ art my
+_Hiding-place_, and my _Shield_."
+
+
+                                             _Sunday, January 13th._
+
+This morning I was awakened about 4 A.M. by violent pain in the
+knee-joint. I had bruised it the day before, and severe inflammation was
+the result. To my great surprise I heard the rain pouring down in
+torrents, the weather having previously been particularly fine. On
+looking out, we found ourselves so near our former stopping-place, that,
+had nothing happened to prevent it, we should not have felt justified in
+neglecting to go into the town to preach as usual; but the rain was so
+heavy all day that no one could leave the boats. Thus we enjoyed a
+delightful day of rest, such as we had not had for some time; and the
+weather prevented much inquiry being made for us. Had the day been fine
+we should most likely have been discovered, even if we had not left the
+boats. As it was, we were allowed to think in peace, with wonder and
+gratitude, of the gracious dealings of our GOD, who had thus led us
+apart into "a desert place" to rest awhile.
+
+
+                                                _Monday, January 14th._
+
+A cloudless morning. One of the native assistants went before daybreak
+to get some clothes which had been given out for washing. He came back
+with the tidings that, notwithstanding the drenching rain of yesterday,
+men had been seeking us in all directions. We had been kept, however, in
+peace and safety "under the shadow of the Almighty."
+
+The boatmen were now so thoroughly alarmed that they would stay no
+longer, and moved off at dawn. I was confined to my quarters by
+lameness, and had no alternative but to go with them. In the afternoon
+we reached Ping-wang, on the way to Shanghai.
+
+          "Ill that GOD blesses is our good,
+                And unblest good is ill;
+           And all is right that seems most wrong,
+                If it be His sweet will."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+CALLED TO SWATOW
+
+
+HAVING to leave the neighbourhood of Black Town thus unexpectedly was a
+real disappointment to us, as we had hoped to spend some time
+evangelising in that district. We were to prove, however, that no
+unforeseen mischance had happened, but that these circumstances which
+seemed so trying were necessary links in the chain of a divinely ordered
+providence, guiding to other and wider spheres.
+
+GOD does not permit persecution to arise without sufficient reason. . . .
+He was leading us by a way that we knew not; but it was none the less
+His way.
+
+          "O LORD, how happy should we be
+           If we would cast our care on Thee,
+             If we from self would rest;
+           And feel at heart that One above,
+           In perfect wisdom, perfect love,
+             Is working for the best!"
+
+When we reached Shanghai, thinking to return inland in a few days with
+fresh supplies of books and money, we met a Christian captain who had
+been trading at Swatow, and he put very strongly before us the need of
+that region, and the fact that there were British merchants living on
+Double Island, selling opium and engaged in the coolie trade
+(practically a slave traffic), while there was no British missionary to
+preach the Gospel. The SPIRIT OF GOD impressed me with the feeling that
+this was His call, but for days I felt that I could not obey it. I had
+never had such a spiritual father as Mr. Burns; I had never known such
+holy, happy fellowship; and I said to myself that it could not be GOD'S
+will that we should separate.
+
+In great unrest of soul I went one evening, with Mr. Burns, to take tea
+at the house of the Rev. R. Lowrie, of the American Presbyterian
+Mission, at the South Gate of Shanghai. After tea Mrs. Lowrie played
+over to us "The Missionary Call."[2] I had never heard it before, and it
+greatly affected me. My heart was almost broken before it was finished,
+and I said to the LORD, in the words that had been sung--
+
+                        "And I will go!
+  I may no longer doubt to give up friends, and idol hopes,
+  And every tie that binds my heart. . . .
+  Henceforth, then, it matters not, if storm or sunshine
+         be my earthly lot, bitter or sweet my cup;
+  I only pray, GOD, make me holy,
+  And my spirit nerve for the stern hour of strife."
+
+Upon leaving I asked Mr. Burns to come home with me to the little house
+that was still my headquarters in the native city, and there, with many
+tears, told him how the LORD had been leading me, and how rebellious I
+had been and unwilling to leave him for this new sphere of labour. He
+listened with a strange look of surprise, and of pleasure rather than
+pain; and answered that he had determined that very night to tell me
+that he had heard the LORD'S call to Swatow, and that his one regret had
+been the prospect of the severance of our happy fellowship. We went
+together; and thus was recommenced missionary work in that part of
+China, which in later years has been so abundantly blessed.
+
+Long before this time the Rev. R. Lechler, of the Basel Missionary
+Society, had widely itinerated in the neighbourhood of Swatow and the
+surrounding regions. Driven about from place to place, he had done work
+that was not forgotten, although ultimately he was obliged to retire to
+Hong-kong. For more than forty years this earnest-hearted servant of GOD
+has continued in "labours more abundant"; and quite recently he has left
+Hong-kong, with his devoted wife, to return again inland, and spend the
+strength of his remaining years amongst the people he has so long and
+truly loved.
+
+Captain Bowers, the Christian friend who had been used of GOD in
+bringing the needs of Swatow before Mr. Burns and myself, was overjoyed
+when he heard of our decision to devote ourselves to the evangelisation
+of that busy, important, and populous mart. Being about to sail himself
+on his return journey, he gladly offered us free passages on board the
+_Geelong_, in which we left Shanghai early in the month of March 1856.
+
+A favourable journey of six days brought us to Double Island, where we
+found ourselves landed in the midst of a small but very ungodly
+community of foreigners, engaged in the opium trade and other commercial
+enterprises. Unwilling to be in any way identified with these
+fellow-countrymen, we were most desirous of obtaining quarters at once
+within the native city, situated on a promontory of the mainland, five
+miles farther up, at the mouth of the Han river. Great difficulty was
+experienced in this attempt to obtain a footing amongst the people.
+Indeed, it seemed as though we should fail altogether, and we were
+helplessly cast upon the LORD in prayer. Our GOD soon undertook for us.
+Meeting one day with a Cantonese merchant, a relative of the highest
+official in the town, Mr. Burns addressed him in the Cantonese dialect;
+this gentleman was so pleased at being spoken to by a foreigner in his
+own tongue that he became our friend, and secured us a lodging. We had
+only one little room, however, and not easily shall I forget the long
+hot summer months in that oven-like place, where towards the eaves one
+could touch the heated tiles with one's hand. More room or better
+accommodation it was impossible to obtain.
+
+We varied our stay by visits to the surrounding country; but the
+difficulties and dangers that encountered us here were so great and
+constant, that our former work in the North began to appear safe and
+easy in comparison. The hatred and contempt of the Cantonese was very
+painful, "foreign devil," "foreign dog," or "foreign pig" being the
+commonest appellations; but all this led us into deeper fellowship than
+I had ever known before with Him who was "despised and rejected of men."
+
+In our visits to the country we were liable to be seized at any time and
+held to ransom; and the people commonly declared that the whole district
+was "without emperor, without ruler, and without law." Certainly, might
+was right in those days. On one occasion we were visiting a small town,
+and found that the inhabitants had captured a wealthy man of another
+clan. A large ransom was demanded for his release, and on his refusing
+to pay it they had smashed his ankle-bones, one by one, with a club, and
+thus extorted the promise they desired. There was nothing but GOD'S
+protection to prevent our being treated in the same way. The towns were
+all walled, and one such place would contain ten or twenty thousand
+people of the same clan and surname, who were frequently at war with the
+people living in the next town. To be kindly received in one place was
+not uncommonly a source of danger in the next. In circumstances such as
+these the preserving care of our GOD was often manifested.
+
+After a time the local mandarin became ill, and the native doctors were
+unable to relieve him. He had heard from some who had been under my
+treatment of the benefit derived, and was led to seek our help. GOD
+blessed the medicines given, and grateful for relief, he advised our
+renting a house for a hospital and dispensary. Having his permission, we
+were able to secure the entire premises, one room of which we had
+previously occupied. I had left my stock of medicine and surgical
+instruments under the care of my friend, the late Mr. Wylie, in
+Shanghai, and went back at once to fetch them.
+
+Mr. Burns came down from a town called Am-po, that we had visited
+together several times, to see me off, and returned again when I had
+sailed, with two native evangelists sent up from Hong-kong by the Rev.
+J. Johnson, of the American Baptist Missionary Union. The people were
+willing to listen to their preaching, and to accept their books as a
+gift, but they would not buy them. One night robbers broke in and
+carried off everything they had, with the exception of their stock of
+literature, which was supposed to be valueless. Next morning, very
+early, they were knocked up by persons wishing to buy books, and the
+sales continued; so that by breakfast time they had not only cash enough
+to procure food, but to pay also for the passage of one of the men to
+Double Island, below Swatow, with a letter to Mr. Burns's agent to
+supply him with money. Purchasers continued coming during that day and
+the next, and our friends lacked nothing; but on the third day they
+could not sell a single book. Then, however, when the cash from their
+sales was just exhausted, the messenger returned with supplies.
+
+It was early in July, after about four months' residence in Swatow, that
+I left for Shanghai, intending to return in the course of a few weeks,
+bringing with me my medical apparatus, for further work in association
+with the Rev. William Burns. A new and promising field seemed to be
+opening before us, and it was with much hopeful anticipation that we
+looked forward to the future of the work. Marked blessing was indeed in
+store for the city and neighbourhood of Swatow; but it was not the
+purpose of GOD that either of us should remain to reap the harvest. Mr.
+Burns while in the interior was taken up and imprisoned by the Chinese
+authorities soon after I left, and was sent to Canton. And though he
+returned to Swatow after the war had broken out, he was called away for
+other service, which prevented his subsequent return; while my journey
+to Shanghai proved to be the first step in a diverging pathway leading
+to other spheres.
+
+FOOTNOTE:
+
+[2] For words and music see the end of this chapter.
+
+
+[Illustration: Music: The Missionary Call]
+
+"THE MISSIONARY CALL"
+
+  1. My soul is not at rest.
+  There comes a strange
+  and secret whisper to
+  my. . . .
+  spirit, like a dream of night,
+  that tells me
+  I am on enchanted
+  ground.
+
+
+  CHORUS FOR FIRST FOUR VERSES.
+
+  _Vivace._ The voice of my departed LORD, "Go, teach all nations,"
+
+  Comes on the night air and awakes mine ear.
+
+
+  CHORUS FOR LAST VERSE.
+
+  Through ages of eternal years,
+  My spirit never shall repent,
+  that toil and suff'ring once were mine . . . below.
+
+
+  2. Why live I here? the vows of GOD are | on me; | and I may not stop
+  to play with shadows or pluck earthly flowers, | till I my work
+  have done, and | rendered up ac | count.
+
+  3. And I will | go! | I may no longer doubt to give up friends,
+  and idol | hopes, | and every tie that binds my heart to | thee, my |
+  country.
+
+  4. Henceforth, then, it matters not, if storm or sunshine be my |
+  earthly lot, | bitter or sweet my | cup; | I only pray: "GOD make me
+  holy, and my spirit nerve for the stern | hour of strife!"
+
+  5. And when one for whom Satan hath struggled as he hath for | me, |
+  has gained at last that blessed | shore, | Oh! how this heart will
+  glow with | gratitude and | love.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+MAN PROPOSES, GOD DISPOSES
+
+
+IT is interesting to notice the various events which united, in the
+providence of GOD, in preventing my return to Swatow, and ultimately led
+to my settling in Ningpo, and making that the centre for the development
+of future labours.
+
+Upon reaching Shanghai, great was my dismay to find that the premises in
+which my medicines and instruments had been stored were burnt down, and
+that all the medicines and many of the instruments were entirely
+destroyed. To me this appeared a great calamity, and I fear I was more
+disposed with faithless Jacob to say, "All these things are against me,"
+than to recognise that "All things work together for good." I had not
+then learned to think of GOD as the One Great Circumstance "in Whom we
+live, and move, and have our being"; and of _all_ lesser, external
+circumstances, as necessarily the kindest, wisest, best, because either
+ordered or permitted by Him. Hence my disappointment and trial were very
+great.
+
+Medicines were expensive in Shanghai, and my means were limited. I
+therefore set out on an inland journey to Ningpo, hoping to obtain a
+supply from Dr. William Parker, a member of the same mission as myself.
+I took with me my few remaining possessions, the principal being my
+watch, a few surgical instruments, a concertina, books for the study of
+Chinese, which in those days were very expensive; but left behind in
+Shanghai a portion of my money.
+
+The country through which I had to pass was suffering much from drought;
+it was the height of summer; and the water in the Grand Canal was very
+low, having been largely drawn upon for the neighbouring rice fields, as
+well as evaporated by the intense heat. I had determined to make the
+journey as much of a mission tour as possible, and set out well supplied
+with Christian tracts and books. After fourteen days spent in travelling
+slowly through the populous country, preaching and distributing books,
+etc., we reached a large town called Shih-mun-wan, and here, finding
+that my supply of literature was exhausted, I determined not to linger
+over the rest of the journey, but to reach Ningpo as speedily as
+possible, _via_ the city of Hai-ning.
+
+
+                                                    _August 4th, 1856._
+
+There was no water beyond Shih-mun-wan, so I paid off my boat, hired
+coolies to carry my things as far as to Chang-gan, and ere sunrise we
+were on the way. I walked on alone, leaving my servant to follow with
+the men, who made frequent stoppages to rest; and on reaching a city
+through which we had to pass, I waited for them in a tea-shop just
+outside the North Gate. The coolies came on very slowly, and seemed
+tired when they arrived. I soon found that they were both opium-smokers,
+so that, although they had only carried a load that one strong man would
+think nothing of taking three times the distance, they really seemed
+wearied.
+
+After some rice and tea and an hour's rest--including, I doubt not, a
+smoke of the opium pipe--they were a little refreshed, and I proposed
+moving on, that we might get to Chang-gan before the sun became too
+powerful. My servant, however, had a friend in the city, and he desired
+to spend the day there, and to go on next morning. But to this I
+objected, wishing to reach Hai-ning that night if possible. . . . We
+therefore set off, entered the North Gate, and had passed through about
+a third of the city, when the coolies stopped to rest, and said they
+should be unable to carry the burden on to Chang-gan. Finally, they
+agreed to take it to the South Gate, where they were to be paid in
+proportion to the distance they had carried it; and the servant
+undertook to call other coolies and come along with them.
+
+I walked on before as in the first instance, and the distance being only
+about four miles, soon reached Chang-gan, and waited their arrival,
+meanwhile engaging coolies for the rest of the journey to Hai-ning.
+Having waited a long time, I began to wonder at the delay; and at length
+it became too late to finish the journey to Hai-ning that night. I felt
+somewhat annoyed; and but that my feet were blistered, and the afternoon
+very hot, I should have gone back to meet them and urge them on. At last
+I concluded that my servant must have gone to his friend's, and would
+not appear until evening. But evening came, and still there was no sign
+of them.
+
+Feeling very uneasy, I began diligently to inquire whether they had been
+seen. At last a man responded, "Are you a guest from Shih-mun-wan?" I
+answered in the affirmative. "Are you going to Hai-ning?" "That is my
+destination." "Then your things have gone on before you; for I was
+sitting in a tea-shop when a coolie came in, took a cup of tea, and set
+off for Hai-ning in a great hurry, saying that the bamboo box and bed he
+carried, which were just such as you describe yours to have been, were
+from Shih-mun-wan, and he had to take them to Hai-ning to-night, where
+he was to be paid at the rate of ten cash a pound." From this I
+concluded that my goods were on before me; but it was impossible to
+follow them at once, for I was too tired to walk, and it was already
+dark.
+
+Under these circumstances all I could do was to seek a lodging for the
+night; and no easy task I found it. After raising my heart to GOD to ask
+His aid, I walked through to the farther end of the town, where I
+thought the tidings of a foreigner's being in the place might not have
+spread, and looked out for an inn. I soon came to one, and went in,
+hoping that I might pass unquestioned, as it was already dark. Asking
+the bill of fare, I was told that cold rice--which proved to be more
+than "rather burnt"--and snakes, fried in lamp-oil, were all that could
+be had. Not wishing any question to be raised as to my nationality, I
+was compelled to order some, and tried to make a meal, but with little
+success.
+
+While thus engaged I said to the landlord, "I suppose I can arrange to
+spend the night here?"
+
+To which he replied in the affirmative; but bringing out his book, he
+added--
+
+"In these unsettled times we are required by the authorities to keep a
+record of our lodgers: may I ask your respected family name?"
+
+"My unworthy family name is Tai," I responded.
+
+"And your honourable second name?"
+
+"My humble name is Ia-koh" (James).
+
+"What an extraordinary name! I never heard it before. How do you write
+it?"
+
+I told him, and added, "It is a common name in the district from which I
+come."
+
+"And may I ask whence you come and whither you are going?"
+
+"I am journeying from Shanghai to Ningpo, by way of Hang-chau."
+
+"What may be your honourable profession?"
+
+"I heal the sick."
+
+"Oh! you are a physician," the landlord remarked; and to my intense
+relief closed the book. His wife, however, took up the conversation.
+
+"You are a physician, are you?" said she; "I am glad of that, for I have
+a daughter afflicted with leprosy. If you will cure her, you shall have
+your supper and bed for nothing."
+
+I was curious enough to inquire what my supper and bed were to cost, if
+paid for; and to my amusement found they were worth less than
+three-halfpence of our money!
+
+Being unable to benefit the girl, I declined to prescribe for her,
+saying that leprosy was a very intractable disease, and that I had no
+medicines with me.
+
+The mother, however, brought pen and paper, urging, "You can at least
+write a prescription, which will do no harm, if it does no good."
+
+But this also I declined to do, and requested to be shown my bed. I was
+conducted to a very miserable room on the ground-floor, where, on some
+boards raised upon two stools, I passed the night, without bed or
+pillow, save my umbrella and shoe, and without any mosquito netting. Ten
+or eleven other lodgers were sleeping in the same room, so I could not
+take anything off, for fear of its being stolen; but I was, I found, by
+no means too warm as midnight came on.
+
+
+                                                    _August 5th._
+
+As may be supposed, I arose but little rested or refreshed, and felt
+very far from well. I had to wait a long time ere breakfast was
+obtainable, and then there was another delay before I could get change
+for the only dollar I had with me, in consequence of its being chipped
+in one or two places. More than three hundred cash also were deducted
+from its price on this account, which was a serious loss to me in my
+trying position.
+
+I then sought throughout the town for tidings of my servant and coolies,
+as I thought it possible that they might have arrived later, or have
+come on in the morning. The town is large, long, and straggling, being
+nearly two miles from one end to the other, so this occupied some time.
+I gained no information, however; and, footsore and weary, set out for
+Hai-ning in the full heat of the day. The journey--about eight
+miles--took me a long time; but a halfway village afforded a
+resting-place and a cup of tea, both of which I gladly availed myself
+of. When about to leave again, a heavy shower of rain came on, and the
+delay thus occasioned enabled me to speak a little to the people about
+the truths of the Gospel.
+
+The afternoon was far spent before I approached the northern suburb of
+Hai-ning, where I commenced inquiries, but could hear no tidings of my
+servant or things. I was told that outside the East Gate I should be
+more likely to hear of them, as it was there the sea-junks called. I
+therefore proceeded thither, and sought for them outside the Little East
+Gate, but in vain. Very weary, I sat down in a tea-shop to rest; and
+while there a number of persons from one of the mandarin's offices came
+in, and made inquiries as to who I was, where I had come from, etc. On
+learning the object of my search, one of the men in the tea-shop said,
+"A bamboo box and a bed, such as you describe, were carried past here
+about half an hour ago. The bearer seemed to be going towards either the
+Great East Gate or the South Gate; you had better go to the hongs there
+and inquire." I asked him to accompany me in the search, and promised to
+reward him for his trouble, but he would not. Another man offered to go
+with me, so we set off together, and both inside and outside the two
+gates made diligent inquiries, but all in vain. I then engaged a man to
+make a thorough search, promising him a liberal reward if he should be
+successful. In the meantime I had some dinner, and addressed a large
+concourse of people who had gathered together.
+
+When he returned, having met with no success, I said to him, "I am now
+quite exhausted: will you help me to find quarters for the night, and
+then I will pay you for your trouble?" He was willing to befriend me,
+and we set off in search of lodgings. At the first place or two the
+people would not receive me; for though on our first going in they
+seemed willing to do so, the presence of a man who followed us, and who,
+I found, was engaged in one of the Government offices, seemed to alarm
+them, and I was refused. We now went to a third place, and being no
+longer followed by the mandarin's messenger, we were promised quarters;
+some tea was brought, and I paid the man who had accompanied me for his
+trouble.
+
+Soon after he was gone some official people came in; they soon went
+away, but the result of their visit was that I was told I could not be
+entertained there that night. A young man present blamed them for their
+heartless behaviour, and said, "Never mind, come with me; and if we
+cannot get better lodgings for you, you shall sleep at our house." I
+went with him, but we found the people of his house unwilling to receive
+me. Weary and footsore, so that I could scarcely stand, I had again to
+seek quarters, and at length got promise of them; but a little crowd
+collecting about the door, they desired me to go to a tea-shop and wait
+there till the people had retired, or they would be unable to
+accommodate me. There was no help for it, so I went, accompanied still
+by the young man, and waited till past midnight. Then we left for the
+promised resting-place; but my conductor would not find it, and he led
+me about to another part of the city; and finally, between one and two
+o'clock, he left me to pass the rest of the night as best I could.
+
+I was opposite a temple, but it was closed; so I lay down on the stone
+steps in front of it, and putting my money under my head for a pillow,
+should soon have been asleep in spite of the cold had I not perceived a
+person coming stealthily towards me. As he approached I saw he was one
+of the beggars so common in China, and had no doubt his intention was to
+rob me of my money. I did not stir, but watched his movements, and
+looked to my FATHER not to leave me in this hour of trial. The man came
+up, looked at me for some time to assure himself that I was asleep (it
+was so dark that he could not see my eyes fixed on him), and then began
+to feel about me gently. I said to him in the quietest tone, but so as
+to convince him that I was not, nor had been, sleeping, "What do you
+want?" He made no answer, but went away.
+
+I was very thankful to see him go, and when he was out of sight put as
+much of my cash as would not go into my pocket safely up my sleeve, and
+made my pillow of a stone projection of the wall. It was not long ere I
+began to doze, but I was aroused by the all but noiseless footsteps of
+two persons approaching; for my nervous system was rendered so sensitive
+by exhaustion that the slightest noise startled me. Again I sought
+protection from Him who alone was my stay, and lay still as before, till
+one of them came up and began to feel under my head for the cash. I
+spoke again, and they sat down at my feet. I asked them what they were
+doing; they replied that they, like me, were going to pass the night
+there. I then requested them to take the opposite side, as there was
+plenty of room, and leave this side to me; but they would not move from
+my feet, so I raised myself up and set my back against the wall.
+
+They said, "You had better lie down and sleep; if you do not, you will
+be unable to walk to-morrow. Do not be afraid; we shall not leave you,
+and will see that no one hurts you."
+
+"Listen to me," I replied. "I do not want your protection; I need it
+not; I am not a Chinese; I do not worship your senseless, helpless
+idols. I worship GOD; He is my FATHER; I trust in Him. I know well what
+you are, and what your intentions are, and shall keep my eye on you, and
+shall not sleep."
+
+On this, one of them went away, but soon returned with a third
+companion. I felt very uneasy, but looked to GOD for help. Once or twice
+one of them got up to see if I was asleep. I only said, "Do not be
+mistaken; I am not sleeping." Occasionally my head dropped, and this was
+a signal for one of them to rise; but I at once roused myself and made
+some remark. As the night slowly passed on, I felt very weary; and to
+keep myself awake, as well as to cheer my mind, I sang several hymns,
+repeated aloud some portions of Scripture, and engaged in prayer in
+English, to the great annoyance of my companions, who seemed as if they
+would have given anything to get me to desist. After that they troubled
+me no more; and shortly before dawn of day they left me, and I got a
+little sleep.
+
+
+                                                    _August 6th._
+
+I was awakened by the young man who had so misled me on the previous
+evening. He was very rude, and insisted on my getting up and paying him
+for his trouble, and even went so far as to try to accomplish by force
+what he wanted. This roused me; and in an unguarded moment, with very
+improper feeling, I seized his arm with such a grasp as he little
+expected I was capable of, and dared him to lay a finger upon me again
+or to annoy me further. This quite changed his manner; he let me quietly
+remain till the guns announced the opening of the gates of the city, and
+then he begged me to give him some money to buy opium with. It is
+needless to say this was refused. I gave him the price of two candles,
+that he said he had burnt while with me last night and no more. I
+learned he was connected with one of the mandarin's offices.
+
+As soon as possible, I bought some rice gruel and tea for breakfast, and
+then once more made a personal search after my things. Some hours thus
+spent proving unavailing, I set out on the return journey, and after a
+long, weary, and painful walk reached Chang-gan about noon. Here also my
+inquiries failed to give me any trace of the missing goods; so I had a
+meal cooked in a tea-shop, got a thorough wash and bathed my inflamed
+feet, and after dinner rested and slept till four in the afternoon.
+
+Much refreshed, I then set on to return to the city, at the South Gate
+of which I had parted with my servant and coolies two days before. On
+the way I was led to reflect on the goodness of GOD, and recollected
+that I had not made it a matter of prayer that I might be provided with
+lodgings last night. I felt condemned, too, that I should have been so
+anxious for my few things, while the many precious souls around me had
+caused so little emotion. I came as a sinner and pleaded the blood of
+JESUS, realising that I was accepted in Him--pardoned, cleansed,
+sanctified--and oh the love of JESUS, how great I felt it to be! I knew
+something more than I had ever previously known of what it was to be
+despised and rejected, and to have nowhere to lay one's head; and I felt
+more than ever I had done before the greatness of that love which
+induced Him to leave His home in glory and suffer thus for me; nay, to
+lay down His very life upon the Cross. I thought of Him as "despised and
+rejected of men, a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief"; I thought
+of Him at Jacob's well, weary, hungry, and thirsty, yet finding it His
+meat and drink to do His Father's will; and contrasted this with my
+littleness of love. I looked to Him for pardon for the past, and for
+grace and strength to do His will in the future, to tread more closely
+in His footsteps, and be more than ever wholly His. I prayed for myself,
+for friends in England, and for my brethren in the work. Sweet tears of
+mingled joy and sorrow flowed freely, the road was almost forgotten, and
+before I was aware of it I had reached my destination. Outside the South
+Gate I took a cup of tea, asked about my lost luggage, and spoke of the
+love of JESUS. Then I entered the city, and after many vain inquiries
+left it by the North Gate.
+
+I felt so much refreshed both in mind and body by the communion I had on
+my walk to the city that I thought myself able to finish the remaining
+six miles back to Shih-mun-wan that evening. First I went into another
+tea-shop to buy some native cakes, and was making a meal of them when
+who should come in but one of the identical coolies who had carried my
+things the first stage. From him I learned that after I left them they
+had taken my luggage to the South Gate; there my servant went away,
+saying on his return that I had gone on, that he did not intend to start
+at once, but would spend the day with his friend, and then rejoin me;
+they carried the things to this friend's house, and left them there. I
+got him to go with me to the house, and there learned that the man had
+spent the day and night with them, and next morning had called other
+coolies, and set off for Hang-chau. This was all I could gather; so,
+unable to do anything but proceed on my return journey to Shanghai with
+all expedition, I left the city again. It was now too late to go on to
+Shih-mun-wan. I looked to my FATHER as able to supply all my need, and
+received another token of His ceaseless love and care, being invited to
+sleep on a hong-boat, now dry in the bed of the river. The night was
+again very cold and the mosquitoes troublesome. Still, I got a little
+rest, and at sunrise was up and continued my journey.
+
+
+                                                    _August 7th._
+
+I felt very ill at first, and had a sore throat, but reflected on the
+wonderful goodness of GOD in enabling me to bear the heat by day and the
+cold by night so long. I felt also that quite a load was now taken off
+my mind. I had committed myself and my affairs to the LORD, and knew
+that if it was for my good and for His glory my things would be
+restored; if not, all would be for the best. I hoped that the most
+trying part of my journey was now drawing to a close, and this helped
+me, weary and footsore, on the way. When I got to Shih-mun-wan and had
+breakfasted, I found I had still eight hundred and ten cash in hand; and
+I knew that the hong-boat fare to Kia-hing Fu was one hundred and twenty
+cash, and thence to Shanghai three hundred and sixty, leaving me just
+three hundred and thirty cash--or twelve pence and a fraction--for three
+or four days provisions. I went at once to the boat office, but to my
+dismay found that from the dry state of the river goods had not come
+down, so that no boat would leave to-day and perhaps none to-morrow. I
+inquired if there were no letter-boats for Kia-hing Fu, and was told
+that they had already left. The only remaining resource was to ascertain
+if any private boats were going in which I could get a passage. My
+search, however, was in vain; and I could get no boat to undertake to go
+all the way to Shanghai, or my difficulty would have been at an end.
+
+Just at this juncture I saw before me, at a turn in the canal, a
+letter-boat going in the direction of Kia-hing Fu This, I concluded,
+must be one of the Kia-hing boats that had been unexpectedly detained,
+and I set off after it as fast as hope and the necessities of the case
+would carry me. For the time being weariness and sore feet were alike
+forgotten. After a chase of about a mile I overtook it.
+
+"Are you going to Kia-hing Fu?" I called out.
+
+"No," was the only answer.
+
+"Are you going in that direction?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Will you give me a passage as far as you do go that way?"
+
+Still "No," and nothing more.
+
+Completely dispirited and exhausted, I sank down on the grass and
+fainted away.
+
+As consciousness returned some voices reached my ear, and I found they
+were talking about me. One said, "He speaks pure Shanghai dialect," and
+from their own speech I knew them to be Shanghai people. Raising myself,
+I saw that they were on a large hong-boat on the other side of the
+canal, and after a few words they sent their small boat to fetch me, and
+I went on board the junk. They were very kind, and gave me some tea; and
+when I was refreshed and able to partake of it, some food also. I then
+took my shoes and stockings off to ease my feet, and the boatman kindly
+provided me with hot water to bathe them. When they heard my story, and
+saw the blisters on my feet, they evidently pitied me, and hailed every
+boat that passed to see if it was going my way. Not finding one, by and
+by, after a few hours' sleep, I went ashore with the captain, intending
+to preach in the temple of Kwan-ti.
+
+Before leaving the junk I told the captain and those on board that I was
+now unable to help myself; that I had not strength to walk to Kia-hing
+Fu, and having been disappointed in getting a passage to-day, I should
+no longer have sufficient means to take me there by letter-boat, which
+was an expensive mode of travelling; that I knew not how the GOD whom I
+served would help me, but that I had no doubt He would do so; and that
+my business now was to serve Him where I was. I also told them that the
+help which I knew would come ought to be an evidence to them of the
+truth of the religion which I and the other missionaries at Shanghai
+preached.
+
+On our way to the town, while engaged in conversation with the captain,
+we saw a letter-boat coming up. The captain drew my attention to it; but
+I reminded him that I had no longer the means of paying my passage by
+it. He hailed it, nevertheless, and found that it was going to a place
+about nine English miles from Shanghai, whence one of the boatmen would
+carry the mails overland to the city. He then said, "This gentleman is a
+foreigner from Shanghai, who has been robbed, and has no longer the
+means of returning. If you will take him with you as far as you go, and
+then engage a sedan chair to carry him the rest of the way, he will pay
+you in Shanghai. You see my boat is lying aground yonder for want of
+water, and cannot get away. Now, I will stand surety; and if this
+gentleman does not pay when you get to Shanghai, I will do so on your
+return." This unsolicited kindness on the part of a Chinaman, a perfect
+stranger, will appear the more remarkable to any one acquainted with the
+character of the Chinese, who are generally most reluctant to risk their
+money. Those on the letter-boat agreeing to the terms, I was taken on
+board as a passenger. Oh, how thankful I felt for this providential
+interposition, and to be once more on my way to Shanghai!
+
+Letter-boats such as the one on which I was now travelling are of a
+long narrow build, and very limited as to their inside accommodation.
+One has to lie down all the time they are in motion, as a slight
+movement would easily upset them. This was no irksome condition to me,
+however; on the contrary, I was only too glad to be quiet. They are the
+quickest boats I have seen in China. Each one is worked by two men, who
+relieve one another continuously night and day. They row with their
+feet, and paddle with their hands; or if the wind is quite favourable,
+row with their feet, and with one hand manage a small sail, while
+steering with the other.
+
+After a pleasant and speedy journey, I reached Shanghai in safety on
+August 9th, through the help of Him who has said, "I will never leave
+thee, nor forsake thee;" "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of
+the world."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+PROVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE
+
+
+IT now seemed very clear that the lost property--including everything I
+possessed in China, with the exception of a small sum of money
+providentially left in Shanghai--had been deliberately stolen by my
+servant, who had gone off with it to Hang-chau. The first question, of
+course, was how best to act for the good of the man who had been the
+cause of so much trouble. It would not have been difficult to take steps
+that would have led to his punishment; though the likelihood of any
+reparation being made for the loss sustained was very small. But the
+consideration which weighed most heavily was that the thief was a man
+for whose salvation I had laboured and prayed; and I felt that to
+prosecute him would not be to emphasise the teaching of the Sermon on
+the Mount, in which we had read together, "Resist not evil," and other
+similar precepts. Finally, concluding that his soul was of more value
+than the L40 worth of things I had lost, I wrote and told him this,
+urging upon him his need of repentance and faith in the LORD JESUS
+CHRIST. The course I took commended itself to my Christian friends in
+England, one of whom was afterwards led to send me a cheque for L40--the
+first of many subsequently received from the same kind helper.
+
+Having obtained the little money left in Shanghai, I again set out for
+Ningpo, to seek assistance from Dr. Parker in replacing the medicines I
+had previously lost by fire. This being satisfactorily accomplished, I
+returned once more to Shanghai, _en route_ for Swatow, hoping soon to
+rejoin my much-loved friend, Mr. Burns, in the work in that important
+centre. GOD had willed it otherwise, however; and the delay caused by
+the robbery was just sufficient to prevent me from starting for the
+South as I had intended.
+
+Over the political horizon storm-clouds had long been gathering,
+precursors of coming war; and early in October of this year (1856) the
+affair of the Lorcha _Arrow_ at Canton led to the definite commencement
+of hostilities. Very soon China was deeply involved in a second
+prolonged struggle with foreign powers; and missionary operations, in
+the South at any rate, had to be largely suspended. Tidings of these
+events, together with letters from Mr. Burns, arrived just in time to
+meet me in Shanghai as I was leaving for Swatow; and thus hindered, I
+could not but realise the hand of GOD in closing the door I had so much
+desired to enter.
+
+While in Ningpo, I had made the acquaintance of Mr. John Jones, who,
+with Dr. Parker, represented the Chinese Evangelisation Society in that
+city. Hindered from returning to Swatow, I now decided to join these
+brethren in the Ningpo work, and set out at once upon the journey. On
+the afternoon of the second day, when already about thirty miles distant
+from Shanghai, Mr. Jones and I drew near the large and important city of
+Sung-kiang, and I spoke of going ashore to preach the Gospel to the
+thronging multitudes that lined the banks and crowded the approaches to
+the city gates.
+
+Among the passengers on board the boat was one intelligent man, who in
+the course of his travels had been a good deal abroad, and had even
+visited England, where he went by the name of Peter. As might be
+expected, he had heard something of the Gospel, but had never
+experienced its saving power. On the previous evening I had drawn him
+into earnest converse about his soul's salvation. The man listened with
+attention, and was even moved to tears, but still no definite result was
+apparent. I was pleased, therefore, when he asked to be allowed to
+accompany me, and to hear me preach.
+
+I went into the cabin of the boat to prepare tracts and books for
+distribution on landing with my Chinese friend, when suddenly I was
+startled by a splash and a cry from without. I sprang on deck, and took
+in the situation at a glance. Peter was gone! The other men were all
+there, on board, looking helplessly at the spot where he had
+disappeared, but making no effort to save him. A strong wind was
+carrying the junk rapidly forward in spite of a steady current in the
+opposite direction, and the low-lying, shrubless shore afforded no
+landmark to indicate how far we had left the drowning man behind.
+
+I instantly let down the sail and leapt overboard in the hope of finding
+him. Unsuccessful, I looked around in agonising suspense, and saw close
+to me a fishing-boat with a peculiar drag-net furnished with hooks,
+which I knew would bring him up.
+
+"Come!" I cried, as hope revived in my heart. "Come and drag over this
+spot directly; a man is drowning just here!"
+
+"Veh bin" (It is not convenient), was the unfeeling answer.
+
+"Don't talk of _convenience_!" cried I in an agony; "a man is drowning,
+I tell you!"
+
+"We are busy fishing," they responded, "and cannot come."
+
+"Never mind your fishing," I said, "I will give you more money than many
+a day's fishing will bring; only come--come at once!"
+
+"How much money will you give us?"
+
+"We cannot stay to discuss that now! Come, or it will be too late. I
+will give you five dollars" (then worth about thirty shillings in English
+money).
+
+"We won't do it for that," replied the men. "Give us twenty dollars, and
+we will drag."
+
+"I do not possess so much: do come quickly, and I will give you all I
+have!"
+
+"How much may that be?"
+
+&#8220;I don't know exactly, about fourteen dollars."
+
+At last, but even then slowly enough, the boat was paddled over, and the
+net let down. Less than a minute sufficed to bring up the body of the
+missing man. The fishermen were clamorous and indignant because their
+exorbitant demand was delayed while efforts at resuscitation were being
+made. But all was in vain--life was extinct.
+
+To myself this incident was profoundly sad and full of significance,
+suggesting a far more mournful reality. Were not those fishermen
+actually guilty of this poor Chinaman's death, in that they had the
+means of saving him at hand, if they would but have used them? Assuredly
+they were guilty. And yet, let us pause ere we pronounce judgment
+against them, lest a greater than Nathan answer, "_Thou art the man_."
+Is it so hard-hearted, so wicked a thing to neglect to save the body? Of
+how much sorer punishment, then, is he worthy who leaves the soul to
+perish, and Cain-like says, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The LORD JESUS
+commands, commands _me_, commands _you_, my brother, and _you_, my
+sister. "Go," says He, "go ye into _all_ the world, and preach the
+Gospel to _every_ creature." Shall we say to _Him_, "No, it is not
+convenient"? shall we tell _Him_ that we are busy fishing and cannot
+go? that we have bought a piece of ground and cannot go? that we have
+purchased five yoke of oxen, or have married, or are engaged in other
+and more interesting pursuits, and cannot go? Ere long "we must all
+appear before the judgment seat of CHRIST; that every one may receive
+the things done in his body." Let us remember, let us pray for, let us
+labour for the unevangelised Chinese; _or we shall sin against our own
+souls_. Let us consider _Who_ it is that has said, "If thou _forbear_ to
+deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be
+slain; if thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that
+pondereth the heart consider it? and He that keepeth _thy_ soul, doth
+not he know it? and shall not He render to every man according to his
+works?"
+
+          Through midnight gloom from Macedon,
+          The cry of myriads as of one;
+          The voiceful silence of despair
+          Is eloquent in awful prayer:
+          The soul's exceeding bitter cry,
+          "Come o'er and help us, or we die."
+
+          How mournfully it echoes on,
+          For half the earth is Macedon;
+          These brethren to their brethren call,
+          And by the Love which loves them all,
+          And by the whole world's Life they cry,
+          "O ye that live, behold we die!"
+
+          By other sounds the world is won
+          Than that which wails from Macedon;
+          The roar of gain is round it rolled,
+          Or men unto themselves are sold,
+          And cannot list the alien cry,
+          "O hear and help us, lest we die!"
+
+          Yet with that cry from Macedon
+          The very car of CHRIST rolls on:
+          "_I come; who would abide My day,_
+          _In yonder wilds prepare My way;_
+          _My voice is crying in their cry,_
+          _Help ye the dying, lest ye die_."
+
+          JESU, for men of Man the SON,
+          Yea, THINE the cry from Macedon;
+          Oh, by the kingdom and the power
+          And glory of Thine advent hour,
+          Wake heart and will to hear their cry:
+          Help us to help them, lest we die.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+SETTLEMENT IN NINGPO
+
+
+THE autumn of 1856 was well advanced before I reached Ningpo, one of the
+most ancient and influential cities on the coast of China. Opened to the
+residence of foreigners in 1842 by the treaty of Nan-king, it had long
+been the scene of missionary labours. Within its thronging thoroughfares
+the busy tide of life runs high. Four hundred thousand human beings
+dwell within or around the five miles circuit of its ancient wall, every
+one a soul that JESUS loves, for whom He died.
+
+As winter drew on I rented a native house in Wu-gyiao-deo, or Lake Head
+Street. It was not then a very comfortable residence. I have a very
+distinct remembrance of tracing my initials on the snow which during the
+night had collected upon my coverlet in the large barn-like upper room,
+now subdivided into four or five smaller ones, each of which is
+comfortably ceiled. The tiling of an unceiled Chinese house may keep off
+the rain--if it happens to be sound--but it does not afford so good a
+protection against snow, which will beat up through crannies and
+crevices, and find its way within. But however unfinished may have been
+its fittings, the little house was well adapted for work amongst the
+people; and there I thankfully settled down, finding ample scope for
+service,--morning, noon, and night.
+
+During the latter part of this year my mind was greatly exercised about
+continued connection with my Society, it being frequently in debt.
+Personally I had always avoided debt, and kept within my salary, though
+at times only by very careful economy. Now there was no difficulty in
+doing this, for my income was larger, and the country being in a more
+peaceful state, things were not so dear. But the Society itself was in
+debt. The quarterly bills which I and others were instructed to draw
+were often met by borrowed money, and a correspondence commenced which
+terminated in the following year by my resigning from conscientious
+motives.
+
+To me it seemed that the teaching of GOD'S Word was unmistakably clear:
+"Owe no man any thing." To borrow money implied, to my mind, a
+contradiction of Scripture--a confession that GOD had withheld some good
+thing, and a determination to get for ourselves what He had not given.
+Could that which was wrong for one Christian to do be right for an
+association of Christians? Or could any amount of precedents make a
+wrong course justifiable? If the Word taught me anything, it taught me
+to have no connection with debt. I could not think that GOD was poor,
+that He was short of resources, or unwilling to supply any want of
+whatever work was really His. It seemed to me that if there were lack of
+funds to carry on work, then to that degree, in that special
+development, or at that time, it could not be the work of GOD. To
+satisfy my conscience I was therefore compelled to resign connection
+with the Society which had hitherto supplied my salary.
+
+It was a great satisfaction to me that my friend and colleague, Mr.
+Jones, also of the Chinese Evangelisation Society, was led to take the
+same step; and we were both profoundly thankful that the separation
+took place without the least breach of friendly feeling on either side.
+Indeed, we had the joy of knowing that the step we took commended itself
+to several members of the Committee, although as a whole the Society
+could not come to our position. Depending upon GOD alone for supplies,
+we were enabled to continue a measure of connection with our former
+supporters, sending home journals, etc., for publication as before, so
+long as the Society continued to exist.
+
+The step we had taken was not a little trying to faith. I was not at all
+sure what GOD would have me do, or whether He would so meet my need as
+to enable me to continue working as before. I had no friends whatever
+from whom I expected supplies. I did not know what means the LORD might
+use; but I was willing to give up all my time to the service of
+evangelisation among the heathen, if by any means He would supply the
+smallest amount on which I could live; and if He were not pleased to do
+this, I was prepared to undertake whatever work might be necessary to
+supply myself, giving all the time that could be spared from such a
+calling to more distinctly missionary efforts. But GOD blessed and
+prospered me; and how glad and thankful I felt when the separation was
+really effected! I could look right up into my FATHER'S face with a
+satisfied heart, ready, by His grace, to do the next thing as He might
+teach me, and feeling very sure of His loving care.
+
+And how blessedly He did lead me on and provide for me I can never,
+never tell. It was like a continuation of some of my earlier home
+experiences. My faith was not untried; it often, often failed, and I was
+so sorry and ashamed of the failure to trust such a FATHER. But oh! I
+was learning to know Him. I would not even then have missed the trial.
+He became so near, so real, so intimate. The occasional difficulty about
+funds never came from an insufficient supply for personal needs, but in
+consequence of ministering to the wants of scores of the hungry and
+dying ones around us. And trials far more searching in other ways quite
+eclipsed these difficulties; and being deeper, brought forth in
+consequence richer fruits. How glad one is now, not only to know, with
+dear Miss Havergal, that----
+
+          "They who trust Him wholly
+              Find Him wholly true,"
+
+but also that when we fail to trust fully He still remains unchangingly
+faithful. He _is_ wholly true whether we trust or not. "If we believe
+not, He abideth faithful; He cannot deny Himself." But oh, how we
+dishonour our LORD whenever we fail to trust Him, and what peace,
+blessing, and triumph we lose in thus sinning against the Faithful One!
+May we never again presume in anything to doubt Him!
+
+The year 1857 was a troublous time, and closed with the notorious
+bombardment of Canton by the British, and the commencement of our second
+Chinese war. Rumours of trouble were everywhere rife, and in many places
+the missionaries passed through not a little danger. In Ningpo this was
+especially the case, and the preserving care of GOD in answer to prayer
+was consequently most marked. When the awful news of the bombardment of
+Canton reached the Cantonese in Ningpo their wrath and indignation knew
+no bounds, and they immediately set to work to plot the destruction of
+all the foreigners resident in the city and neighbourhood. It was well
+known that many of the foreigners were in the habit of meeting for
+worship every Sunday evening at one of the missionary houses, and the
+plan was to surround the place on a given occasion and make short work
+of all present, cutting off afterwards any who might not be present.
+
+The sanction of the Tao-t'ai, or chief civil magistrate of the city, was
+easily obtained; and nothing remained to hinder the execution of the
+plot, of which the foreigners were of course entirely in ignorance. (A
+similar plot against the Portuguese a few months later was carried out,
+and between fifty and sixty were massacred in open daylight.) It so
+happened, however, that one of those acquainted with the conspiracy had
+a friend engaged in the service of the missionaries; and anxious for his
+safety, he was led to warn him of the coming danger, and urge his
+leaving foreign employ. The servant made the matter known to his master,
+and thus the little community became aware of their peril. Realising the
+gravity of the situation, they determined to meet together at the house
+of one of their number to seek the protection of the Most High, and to
+hide under the shadow of His wings. Nor did they thus meet in vain.
+
+At the very time we were praying the LORD was working. He led an
+inferior mandarin, the Superintendent of Customs, to call upon the
+Tao-t'ai, and remonstrate with him upon the folly of permitting such an
+attempt, which he assured him would rouse the foreigners in other places
+to come with armed forces to avenge the death of their countrymen and
+raze the city to the ground. The Tao-t'ai replied that, when the
+foreigners came for that purpose, he should deny all knowledge of or
+complicity in the plot, and so direct their vengeance against the
+Cantonese, who would in their turn be destroyed; "and thus," said he,
+"we shall get rid of both Cantonese and foreigners by one stroke of
+policy." The Superintendent of Customs assured him that all such
+attempts at evasion would be useless; and, finally, the Tao-t'ai sent to
+the Cantonese, withdrawing his permission, and prohibiting the attack.
+This took place at the very time when we were asking protection of the
+LORD, though we did not become acquainted with the facts until some
+weeks later. Thus again we were led to prove that--
+
+          "Sufficient is His arm alone,
+              And our defence is sure."
+
+I cannot attempt to give any historical record of the events of this
+period, but ere 1857 terminated Mr. Jones and I were cheered by tokens
+of blessing. It is interesting to recall the circumstances connected
+with the first profession of faith in Christ, which encouraged us.
+
+On one occasion I was preaching the glad tidings of salvation through
+the finished work of CHRIST, when a middle-aged man stood up, and
+testified before his assembled countrymen to his faith in the power of
+the Gospel.
+
+"I have long sought for the Truth," said he earnestly, "as my fathers
+did before me; but I have never found it. I have travelled far and near,
+but without obtaining it. I have found no rest in Confucianism,
+Buddhism, or Taoism; but I do find rest in what I have heard here
+to-night. Henceforth I am a believer in JESUS."
+
+This man was one of the leading officers of a sect of reformed Buddhists
+in Ningpo. A short time after his confession of faith in the SAVIOUR
+there was a meeting of the sect over which he had formerly presided. I
+accompanied him to that meeting, and there, to his former
+co-religionists, he testified of the peace he had obtained in believing.
+Soon after, one of his former companions was converted and baptized.
+Both now sleep in JESUS. The first of these two long continued to preach
+to his countrymen the glad tidings of great joy. A few nights after his
+conversion he asked how long this Gospel had been known in England. He
+was told that we had known it for some hundreds of years.
+
+"What!" said he, amazed; "is it possible that for hundreds of years you
+have had the knowledge of these glad tidings in your possession, and yet
+have only now come to preach it to us? My father sought after the Truth
+for more than twenty years, and died without finding it. Oh, why did you
+not come sooner?"
+
+A whole generation has passed away since that mournful inquiry was made;
+but how many, alas! might repeat the same question to-day? More than two
+hundred millions in the meanwhile have been swept into eternity, without
+an offer of salvation. How long shall this continue, and the MASTER'S
+words, "To every creature," remain unheeded?
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+TIMELY SUPPLIES
+
+
+NOT infrequently our GOD brings His people into difficulties on purpose
+that they may come to know Him as they could not otherwise do. Then He
+reveals Himself as "a very present help in trouble," and makes the heart
+glad indeed at each fresh revelation of a FATHER'S faithfulness. We who
+only see so small a part of the sweet issues of trial often feel that we
+would not for anything have missed them; how much more shall we bless
+and magnify His Name when all the hidden things are brought to light!
+
+In the autumn of 1857, just one year after I came to settle in Ningpo, a
+little incident occurred that did much to strengthen our faith in the
+loving-kindness and ever-watchful care of GOD.
+
+A brother in the LORD, the Rev. John Quarterman, of the American
+Presbyterian Mission North, was taken with virulent small-pox, and it
+was my mournful privilege to nurse him through his suffering illness to
+its fatal close. When all was over, it became necessary to lay aside the
+garments worn while nursing, for fear of conveying the infection to
+others. Not having sufficient money in hand to purchase what was needful
+in order to make this change, prayer was the only resource. The LORD
+answered it by the unexpected arrival of a long-lost box of clothing
+from Swatow, that had remained in the care of the Rev. William Burns
+when I left him for Shanghai, in the early summer of the previous year.
+The arrival of the things just at this juncture was as appropriate as it
+was remarkable, and brought a sweet sense of the FATHER'S own providing.
+
+About two months later the following was penned:----
+
+
+                                            _November 18th, 1857._
+
+Many seem to think that I am very poor. This certainly is true enough in
+one sense, but I thank GOD it is "as poor, yet making many rich; as
+having nothing, yet possessing all things." And my GOD shall supply
+_all_ my need; to Him be all the glory. I would not, if I could, be
+otherwise than I am--entirely dependent myself upon the LORD, and used
+as a channel of help to others.
+
+On Saturday, the 4th inst., our regular home mail arrived. That morning
+we supplied, as usual, a breakfast to the destitute poor, who came to
+the number of seventy. Sometimes they do not reach forty, at others
+again exceeding eighty. They come to us every day, LORD'S Day excepted,
+for then we cannot manage to attend to them and get through all our
+other duties too. Well, on that Saturday morning we paid all expenses,
+and provided ourselves for the morrow, after which we had not a single
+dollar left between us. How the LORD was going to provide for Monday we
+knew not; but over our mantelpiece hung two scrolls in the Chinese
+character--_Ebenezer_, "Hitherto hath the LORD helped us"; and
+_Jehovah-Jireh_, "The LORD will provide"--and He kept us from doubting
+for a moment. That very day the mail came in, _a week sooner than was
+expected_, and Mr. Jones received a bill for two hundred and fourteen
+dollars. We thanked GOD and took courage. The bill was taken to a
+merchant, and although there is usually a delay of several days in
+getting the change, this time he said, "Send down on Monday." We sent,
+and though he had not been able to buy all the dollars, he let us have
+seventy on account; so all was well. Oh, it is sweet to live thus
+directly dependent upon the LORD, who never fails us!
+
+On Monday the poor had their breakfast as usual, for we had not told
+them not to come, being assured that it was the LORD'S work, and that
+the LORD would provide. We could not help our eyes filling with tears of
+gratitude when we saw not only our own needs supplied, but the widow and
+the orphan, the blind and the lame, the friendless and the destitute,
+together provided for by the bounty of Him who feeds the ravens. "O
+magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His Name together. . . . Taste
+and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.
+O fear the LORD, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear
+Him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the
+LORD shall not want any good thing"--and if not good, why want it?
+
+But even two hundred dollars cannot last for ever, and by New Year's Day
+supplies were again getting low. At last, on January 6th, 1858, only one
+solitary cash remained--the twentieth part of a penny--in the joint
+possession of Mr. Jones and myself; but though tried we looked to GOD
+once again to manifest His gracious care. Enough provision was found in
+the house to supply a meagre breakfast; after which, having neither food
+for the rest of the day, nor money to buy any, we could only betake
+ourselves to Him who was able to supply all our need with the petition,
+"Give us this day our daily bread."
+
+After prayer and deliberation we thought that perhaps we ought to
+dispose of something we possessed in order to meet our immediate
+requirements. But on looking round we saw nothing that we could well
+spare, and little that the Chinese would purchase for ready money.
+Credit to any extent we might have had, could we conscientiously have
+availed ourselves of it, but this we felt to be unscriptural in itself,
+as well as inconsistent with the position we were in. We had, indeed,
+one article--an iron stove--which we knew the Chinese would readily
+purchase; but we much regretted the necessity of parting with it. At
+length, however, we set out to the founder's, and after a walk of some
+distance came to the river, which we had intended to cross by a floating
+bridge of boats; but here the LORD shut up our path. The bridge had been
+carried away during the preceding night, and the river was only passable
+by means of a ferry, the fare for which was two cash each person. As we
+only possessed one cash, our course clearly was to return and await
+GOD'S own interposition on our behalf.
+
+Upon reaching home, we found that Mrs. Jones had gone with the children
+to dine at a friend's house, in accordance with an invitation accepted
+some days previously. Mr. Jones, though himself included in the
+invitation, refused now to go and leave me to fast alone. So we set to
+work and carefully searched the cupboards; and though there was nothing
+to eat, we found a small packet of cocoa, which, with a little hot
+water, somewhat revived us. After this we again cried to the LORD in our
+trouble, and the LORD heard and saved us out of all our distresses. For
+while we were still upon our knees a letter arrived from England
+containing a remittance.
+
+This timely supply not only met the immediate and urgent need of the
+day; for in the assured confidence that GOD, whose we were and whom we
+served, would not put to shame those whose whole and only trust was in
+Himself. My marriage had been previously arranged to take place just
+fourteen days after this date. And this expectation was not
+disappointed; for "the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed,
+but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant
+of My peace be removed." And although during subsequent years our faith
+was often exercised, and sometimes severely, He ever proved faithful to
+His promise, and never suffered us to lack any good thing.
+
+Never, perhaps, was there a union that more fully realised the blessed
+truth, "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour
+of the LORD." My dear wife was not only a precious gift to me; GOD
+blessed her to many others during the twelve eventful years through
+which she was spared to those that loved her and to China.
+
+Hers had been a life connection with missionary work in that great
+empire; for her father, the loved and devoted Samuel Dyer, was amongst
+the very earliest representatives of the London Mission in the East. He
+reached the Straits as early as 1827, and for sixteen years laboured
+assiduously amongst the Chinese in Penang and Singapore, completing at
+the same time a valuable fount of Chinese metallic type, the first of
+the kind that had then been attempted. Dying in 1843, it was never Mr.
+Dyers privilege to realise his hopes of ultimately being able to settle
+on Chinese soil; but his children lived to see the country opened to the
+Gospel, and to take their share in the great work that had been so dear
+to his heart. At the time of her marriage, my dear wife had been already
+living for several years in Ningpo with her friend, Miss Aldersey, in
+whose varied missionary operations she was well qualified to render
+valuable assistance.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+GOD A REFUGE FOR US
+
+
+A SOMEWHAT different though not less manifest answer to prayer was
+vouchsafed early in the year 1859. My dear wife was brought very low by
+illness, and at last all hope of recovery seemed gone. Every remedy
+tried had proved unavailing; and Dr. Parker, who was in attendance, had
+nothing more to suggest. Life was ebbing fast away. The only ground of
+hope was that GOD might yet see fit to raise her up, in answer to
+believing but submissive prayer.
+
+The afternoon for the usual prayer meeting among the missionaries had
+arrived, and I sent in a request for prayer, which was most warmly
+responded to. Just at this time a remedy that had not yet been tried was
+suggested to my mind, and I felt that I must hasten to consult Dr.
+Parker as to the propriety of using it. It was a moment of anguish. The
+hollow temples, sunken eyes, and pinched features denoted the near
+approach of death; and it seemed more than questionable as to whether
+life would hold out until my return. It was nearly two miles to Dr.
+Parker's house, and every moment appeared long. On my way thither, while
+wrestling mightily with GOD in prayer, the precious words were brought
+with power to my soul, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will
+deliver thee, and thou shall glorify Me." I was at once enabled to plead
+them in faith, and the result was deep, deep, unspeakable peace and
+joy. All consciousness of distance was gone. Dr. Parker cordially
+approved of the use of the means suggested, but upon arriving at home I
+saw at a glance that the desired change had taken place in the absence
+of this or any other remedy. The pinched aspect of the countenance had
+given place to the calmness of tranquil slumber, and not one
+unfavourable symptom remained to retard recovery to health and strength.
+
+Spared thus in answer to prayer the loss of my own loved one, it was
+with added sympathy and sorrow that I felt for Dr. Parker, when, in the
+autumn of the same year, his own wife was very suddenly removed. It
+being necessary for the doctor to return at once with his motherless
+children to Glasgow, temporary arrangements had to be made for the
+conduct of the Mission Hospital in Ningpo, for which he alone had been
+responsible. Under these circumstances he requested me to take up the
+work, at least so far as the dispensary was concerned. After a few days'
+waiting upon the LORD for guidance, I felt constrained to undertake not
+only the dispensary work, but also that of the hospital; relying solely
+upon the faithfulness of a prayer-hearing GOD to furnish the means
+required for its support.
+
+The funds for the maintenance of the hospital had hitherto been supplied
+by the proceeds of the doctor's foreign medical practice; and with his
+departure these ceased. But had not GOD said that whatever we ask in the
+Name of the LORD JESUS shall be done? And are we not told to seek first
+the kingdom of GOD, not means to advance it, and that all these things
+shall be added to us? Such promises were surely sufficient. Eight days
+before entering upon this responsibility I had not the remotest idea of
+ever doing so; still less could friends at home have anticipated it.
+But the LORD had foreseen the need, and already funds were on the way to
+supply it.
+
+At times there were not less than fifty in-patients in the hospital,
+besides a large number who daily attended the out-patient department.
+Thirty beds were ordinarily allotted to free patients and their
+attendants; and about as many to opium-smokers, who paid for their board
+while being cured of the habit. As all the wants of the sick in the
+wards were supplied gratuitously, in addition to the remedial appliances
+needed for the out-patient work, the daily expenses were considerable;
+besides which, a number of native attendants were required, involving
+their support.
+
+When Dr. Parker handed the hospital over to me he was able to leave
+money that would meet the salaries and working expenses of the current
+month, and little more. Being unable to guarantee their support, his
+native staff retired; and then I mentioned the circumstances to the
+members of our little church, some of whom volunteered to help me,
+depending, like myself, upon the LORD; and they with me continued to
+wait upon GOD that in some way or other He would provide for His own
+work. Day by day the stores diminished, and they were all but exhausted
+when one day a remarkable letter reached me from a friend in England
+which contained a cheque for L50. The letter stated that the sender had
+recently lost his father, and had inherited his property; that not
+desiring to increase his personal expenditure, he wished to hold the
+money which had now been left to him to further the LORD'S work. He
+enclosed the L50, saying that I might know of some special need for it;
+but leaving me free to use it for my own support, or in any way that the
+LORD might lead me; only asking to know how it was applied, and whether
+there was need for more.
+
+After a little season of thanksgiving with my dear wife, I called my
+native helpers into our little chapel, and translated to them the
+letter. I need not say how rejoiced they were, and that we together
+praised GOD. They returned to their work in the hospital with
+overflowing hearts, and told out to the patients what a GOD was ours;
+appealing to them whether their idols had ever helped them so. Both
+helpers and patients were blessed spiritually through this remarkable
+provision, and from that time the LORD provided all that was necessary
+for carrying on the institution, in addition to what was needed for the
+maintenance of my own family, and for sustaining other branches of
+missionary work under my care. When, nine months later, I was obliged
+through failure of health to relinquish this charge, I was able to leave
+more funds in hand for the support of the hospital than were forthcoming
+at the time I undertook it.
+
+But not only were pecuniary supplies vouchsafed in answer to
+prayer--many lives were spared; persons apparently in hopeless stages of
+disease were restored, and success was given in cases of serious and
+dangerous operations. In the case of one poor man, whose legs were
+amputated under very unfavourable circumstances, healthy action took
+place with such rapidity that both wounds were healed in less than two
+weeks. And more permanent benefits than these were conferred. Many were
+convinced of the truth of Christianity; not a few sought the LORD in
+faith and prayer, and experienced the power of the Great Physician to
+cure the sin-sick soul. During the nine months above alluded to sixteen
+patients from the hospital were baptized, and more than thirty others
+became candidates for admission into one or other of the Christian
+churches in the city.
+
+Thus the year 1860 began with openings on all hands, but time and
+strength were sadly too limited to admit of their being used to the
+best advantage. For some time the help of additional workers had been a
+much-felt need; and in January very definite prayer was made to the LORD
+of the harvest that He would thrust forth more labourers into this
+special portion of the great world-field. Writing to relatives at home
+in England, under date of January 16th, 1860, I thus expressed the deep
+longing of our hearts:--
+
+          Do you know any earnest, devoted young men
+          desirous of serving GOD in China, who--not wishing
+          for more than their actual support--would be
+          willing to come out and labour here? Oh, for four
+          or five such helpers! They would probably begin to
+          preach in Chinese in six months time; and in
+          answer to prayer the necessary means for their
+          support would be found.
+
+But no one came to help us then; and under the incessant physical and
+mental strain involved, in the care of the hospital during Dr. Parker's
+absence, as well as the continued discharge of my other missionary
+duties, my own health began rapidly to fail, and it became a serious
+question as to whether it would not be needful to return to England for
+a time.
+
+It was hard to face this possibility. The growing church and work seemed
+to need our presence, and it was no small trial to part from those whom
+we had learned so truly to love in the LORD. Thirty or forty native
+Christians had been gathered into the recently organised church; and the
+well-filled meetings, and the warm-hearted earnestness of the converts,
+all bespoke a future of much promise. At last, however, completely
+prostrated by repeated attacks of illness, the only hope of restoration
+seemed to lie in a voyage to England and a brief stay in its more
+bracing climate; and this necessity, painful though it seemed at the
+time, proved to be only another opportunity for the manifestation of the
+faithfulness and loving care of Him "who worketh all things after the
+counsel of His own will."
+
+As heretofore, the LORD was present with His aid. The means for our
+journey were supplied, and that so liberally that we were able to bring
+with us a native Christian to assist in translation or other literary
+work, and to instruct in the language such helpers as the LORD might
+raise up for the extension of the Mission. That He would give us
+fellow-labourers we had no doubt; for we had been enabled to seek them
+from Him in earnest and believing prayer for many months previously.
+
+The day before leaving China we wrote as follows to our friend W. T.
+Berger, Esq., whom we had known in England, and who had ever
+strengthened our hands in the LORD while in that distant land:--
+
+"We are bringing with us a young Chinese brother to assist in literary
+work, and I hope also in teaching the dialect to those whom the LORD may
+induce to return with us."
+
+And throughout the voyage our earnest cry to GOD was that He would
+overrule our stay at home for good to China, and make it instrumental in
+raising up at least five helpers to labour in the province of
+CHEH-KIANG.
+
+The way in which it pleased the LORD to answer these earnest and
+believing prayers, and the "exceeding abundantly" with which He crowned
+them, we shall now sketch in brief outline.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A NEW AGENCY NEEDED
+
+
+"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith
+the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways
+higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."[3] How true
+are these words! When the LORD is bringing in great blessing in the best
+possible way, how oftentimes our unbelieving hearts are feeling, if not
+saying, like Jacob of old, "All these things are against me." Or we are
+filled with fear, as were the disciples when the LORD, walking on the
+waters, drew near to quiet the troubled sea, and to bring them quickly
+to their desired haven. And yet mere common-sense ought to tell us that
+He, whose way is perfect, _can_ make no mistakes; that He who has
+promised to "perfect that which concerneth" us, and whose minute care
+counts the very hairs of our heads, and forms for us our circumstances,
+_must_ know better than we the way to forward our truest interests and
+to glorify His own Name.
+
+          "Blind unbelief is _sure_ to err
+             And scan His work in vain;
+           GOD is His own Interpreter,
+             And He will make it plain."
+
+To me it seemed a great calamity that failure of health compelled my
+relinquishing work for GOD in China, just when it was more fruitful than
+ever before; and to leave the little band of Christians in Ningpo,
+needing much care and teaching, was a great sorrow. Nor was the sorrow
+lessened when, on reaching England, medical testimony assured me that
+return to China, at least for years to come, was impossible. Little did
+I then realise that the long separation from China was a necessary step
+towards the formation of a work which GOD would bless as He has blessed
+the CHINA INLAND MISSION. While in the field, the pressure of claims
+immediately around me was so great that I could not think much of the
+still greater needs of the regions farther inland; and, if they were
+thought of, could do nothing for them. But while detained for some years
+in England, daily viewing the whole country on the large map on the wall
+of my study, I was as near to the vast regions of Inland China as to the
+smaller districts in which I had laboured personally for GOD; and prayer
+was often the only resource by which the burdened heart could gain any
+relief.
+
+As a long absence from China appeared inevitable, the next question was
+how best to serve China while in England, and this led to my engaging
+for several years, with the late Rev. F. F. Gough of the C. M. S., in
+the revision of a version of the New Testament in the colloquial of
+Ningpo for the British and Foreign Bible Society. In undertaking this
+work, in my short-sightedness I saw nothing beyond the use that the
+Book, and the marginal references, would be to the native Christians;
+but I have often seen since that, without those months of feeding and
+feasting on the Word of GOD, I should have been quite unprepared to
+form, on its present basis, a mission like the CHINA INLAND MISSION.
+
+In the study of that Divine Word I learned that, to obtain successful
+labourers, not elaborate appeals for help, but, _first_, earnest _prayer
+to GOD to thrust forth labourers_, and, _second_, the deepening of the
+spiritual life of the church, so that _men should be unable to stay at
+home_, were what was needed. I saw that the Apostolic plan was not to
+raise ways and means, but _to go and do the work_, trusting in His sure
+Word who has said, "Seek ye _first_ the Kingdom of GOD and His
+righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
+
+In the meantime the prayer for workers for CHEH-KIANG was being
+answered. The first, Mr. Meadows, sailed for China with his young wife
+in January 1862, through the kind co-operation and aid of our friend Mr.
+Berger. The second left England in 1864, having her passage provided by
+the Foreign Evangelisation Society. The third and fourth reached Ningpo
+on July 24th, 1865. A fifth soon followed them, reaching Ningpo in
+September 1865. Thus the prayer for the five workers was fully answered;
+and we were encouraged to look to GOD for still greater things.
+
+Months of earnest prayer and not a few abortive efforts had resulted in
+a deep conviction that _a special agency was essential_ for the
+evangelisation of Inland China. At this time I had not only the daily
+help of prayer and conference with my beloved friend and fellow-worker
+the late Rev. F. F. Gough, but also invaluable aid and counsel from Mr.
+and Mrs. Berger, with whom I and my dear wife (whose judgment and piety
+were of priceless value at this juncture) spent many days in prayerful
+deliberation. The grave difficulty of possibly interfering with existing
+missionary operations at home was foreseen; but it was concluded that,
+by simple trust in GOD, suitable agency might be raised up and sustained
+without interfering injuriously with any existing work. I had also a
+growing conviction that GOD would have _me_ to seek from Him the needed
+workers, and to go forth with them. But for a long time unbelief
+hindered my taking the first step.
+
+How inconsistent unbelief always is! I had no doubt that, if I prayed
+for workers, "_in_ the Name" of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, they would be
+given me. I had no doubt that, in answer to such prayer, the means for
+our going forth would be provided, and that doors would be opened before
+us in unreached parts of the Empire. But I had not then learned to trust
+GOD for _keeping_ power and grace for myself, so no wonder that I could
+not trust Him to keep others who might be prepared to go with me. I
+feared that in the midst of the dangers, difficulties, and trials which
+would necessarily be connected with such a work, some who were
+comparatively inexperienced Christians might break down, and bitterly
+reproach me for having encouraged them to undertake an enterprise for
+which they were unequal.
+
+Yet, what was I to do? The feeling of blood-guiltiness became more and
+more intense. Simply because I refused to ask for them, the labourers
+did not come forward--did not go out to China--and every day tens of
+thousands were passing away to Christless graves! Perishing China so
+filled my heart and mind that there was no rest by day, and little sleep
+by night, till health broke down. At the invitation of my beloved and
+honoured friend, Mr. George Pearse (then of the Stock Exchange), I went
+to spend a few days with him in Brighton.
+
+On Sunday, June 25th, 1865, unable to bear the sight of a congregation
+of a thousand or more Christian people rejoicing in their own security,
+while millions were perishing for lack of knowledge, I wandered out on
+the sands alone, in great spiritual agony; and there the LORD conquered
+my unbelief, and I surrendered myself to GOD for this service. I told
+Him that all the responsibility as to issues and consequences must rest
+with Him; that as His servant, it was mine to obey and to follow
+Him--His, to direct, to care for, and to guide me and those who might
+labour with me. Need I say that peace at once flowed into my burdened
+heart? There and then I asked Him for twenty-four fellow-workers, two
+for each of eleven inland provinces which were without a missionary, and
+two for Mongolia; and writing the petition on the margin of the Bible I
+had with me, I returned home with a heart enjoying rest such as it had
+been a stranger to for months, and with an assurance that the LORD would
+bless His own work and that I should share in the blessing. I had
+previously prayed, and asked prayer, that workers might be raised up for
+the eleven then unoccupied provinces, and thrust forth and provided for,
+but had not surrendered myself to be their leader.
+
+About this time, with the help of my dear wife, I wrote the little book,
+_China's Spiritual Need and Claims_. Every paragraph was steeped in
+prayer. With the help of Mr. Berger, who had given valued aid in the
+revision of the manuscript, and who bore the expense of printing an
+edition of 3000 copies, they were soon put in circulation. I spoke
+publicly of the proposed work as opportunity permitted, specially at the
+Perth and Mildmay Conferences of 1865, and continued in prayer for
+fellow-workers, who were soon raised up, and after due correspondence
+were invited to my home, then in the East of London. When one house
+became insufficient, the occupant of the adjoining house removed, and I
+was able to rent it; and when that in its turn became insufficient,
+further accommodation was provided close by. Soon there were a number of
+men and women under preparatory training, and engaging in evangelistic
+work which tested in some measure their qualifications as soul-winners.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[3] Isaiah lv. 8, 9.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+THE FORMATION OF THE C. I. M.
+
+
+IT was thus that in the year 1865 the CHINA INLAND MISSION was
+organised; and the workers already in the field were incorporated into
+it. W. T. Berger, Esq., then residing at Saint Hill, near East
+Grinstead, without whose help and encouragement I could not have gone
+forward, undertook the direction of the home department of the work
+during my anticipated absence in China; and I proposed, as soon as
+arrangements could be completed, to go out with the volunteers and take
+the direction of the work in the field. For the support of the workers
+already in China, our friends at home were sending in unsolicited
+contributions from time to time, and every need was met.
+
+We had now, however, to look forward to the outgoing of a party of
+sixteen or seventeen, and estimated that from L1500 to L2000 might be
+required to cover outfits, passage-money, and initial expenses. I wrote
+a little pamphlet, calling it "Occasional Paper, No. I." (intending in
+successive numbers to give to donors and friends accounts of the work
+wrought through us in China), and in that paper stated the anticipated
+needs for floating the enterprise. I expected that GOD would incline the
+hearts of some of the readers to send contributions: I had determined
+never to use personal solicitation, or to make collections, or to issue
+collecting-books. Missionary-boxes were thought unobjectionable, and we
+had a few prepared for those who might ask for them, and have continued
+to use them ever since.
+
+It was February 6th, 1866, when I sent my manuscript of "Occasional
+Paper, No. I.," with a design for the cover, to the printer. From delays
+in engraving and printing, it was March 12th when the bales of pamphlets
+were delivered at my house. Now on February 6th a daily prayer-meeting,
+from 12 to 1 o'clock, had been commenced, to ask for the needed funds.
+And that we had not asked in vain, the following extract from
+"Occasional Paper, No. II." will show:--
+
+"The receipts for 1864 were L51:14s.; for 1865, from January to June,
+L221:12:6, besides two free passages; from June to December, L923:12:8.
+Hindrances having occurred, the MS. of the "Occasional Paper, No. I."
+was not completed till February 6th, 1866. Up to this time we had
+received (from December 30th) L170:8:3.
+
+"We felt much encouraged by the receipt of so much money in little more
+than a month, as it was entirely unsolicited by us--save from GOD. But
+it was also evident that we must ask the LORD to do yet greater things
+for us, or it would be impossible for a party of from ten to sixteen to
+leave in the middle of May. _Daily united prayer was therefore offered
+to_ GOD for the funds needful for the outfits and passages of as many as
+He would have to go out in May.
+
+"Owing to the delays mentioned above in the printing of the 'Occasional
+Paper,' it was not ready for the publisher until March 12th. On this day
+I again examined my mission cash-book, and the comparison of the result
+of the two similar periods of one month and six days each, one before
+and one after special prayer for L1500 to L2000, was very striking:--
+
+          "Receipts from December 30th to February 6th, L170  8  3
+             "    Feb. 6th to Mar. 12th L1774 5 11
+          "Funds advised, since received  200 0  0
+                                         ---------     L1974  5 11
+
+"This, it will be noticed, was _previous_ to the circulation of the
+'Occasional Paper,' and, consequently, was not the result of it. It was
+the response of a faithful GOD to the united prayers of those whom He
+had called to serve Him in the Gospel of His dear SON.
+
+"We can now compare with these two periods a third of the same extent.
+From March 12th to April 18th the receipts were L529, showing that when
+GOD had supplied the special need, the special supply also ceased. Truly
+there is a LIVING GOD, and HE is the hearer and answerer of prayer."
+
+But this gracious answer to prayer made it a little difficult to
+circulate "Occasional Paper, No. I.," for it stated as a need that which
+was already supplied. The difficulty was obviated by the issue with each
+copy of a coloured inset stating that the funds for outfit and passage
+were already in hand in answer to prayer. We were reminded of the
+difficulty of Moses--not a very common one in the present day--and of
+the proclamation he had to send through the camp to the people to
+prepare no more for the building of the Tabernacle, as the gifts in hand
+were already too much. We are convinced that if there were _less_
+solicitation for money and _more_ dependence upon the power of the HOLY
+GHOST and upon the deepening of spiritual life, the experience of Moses
+would be a common one in every branch of Christian work.
+
+Preparations for sailing to China were at once proceeded with. About
+this time I was asked to give a lecture on China in a village not very
+far from London, and agreed to do so on condition that there should be
+no collection, and that this should be announced on the bills. The
+gentleman who invited me, and who kindly presided as chairman, said he
+had never had that condition imposed before. He accepted it, however,
+and the bills were issued accordingly for the 2nd or 3rd of May. With
+the aid of a large map, something of the extent and population and deep
+spiritual need of China was presented, and many were evidently
+impressed.
+
+At the close of the meeting the chairman said that by my request it had
+been intimated on the bills that there would be no collection; but he
+felt that many present would be distressed and burdened if they had not
+the opportunity of contributing something towards the good work
+proposed. He trusted that as the proposition emanated entirely from
+himself, and expressed, he felt sure, the feelings of many in the
+audience, I should not object to it. I begged, however, that the
+condition agreed to might be carried out; pointing out among other
+reasons for making no collection, that the very reason adduced by our
+kind chairman was, to my mind, one of the strongest for not making it.
+My wish was, not that those present should be relieved by making such
+contribution as might there and then be convenient, under the influence
+of a present emotion; but that each one should go home burdened with the
+deep need of China, and ask of GOD what He would have them to do. If,
+after thought and prayer, they were satisfied that a pecuniary
+contribution was what He wanted of them, it could be given to any
+Missionary Society having agents in China; or it might be posted to our
+London office; but that perhaps in many cases what GOD wanted was _not_
+a money contribution, but personal consecration to His service abroad;
+or the giving up of son or daughter--more precious than silver or
+gold--to His service. I added that I thought the tendency of a
+collection was to leave the impression that the all-important thing was
+_money_, whereas no amount of money could convert a single soul; that
+what was needed was that men and women filled with the HOLY GHOST should
+give _themselves_ to the work: for the support of such there would never
+be a lack of funds. As my wish was evidently very strong, the chairman
+kindly yielded to it, and closed the meeting. He told me, however, at
+the supper-table, that he thought it was a mistake on my part, and that,
+notwithstanding all I had said, a few persons had put some little
+contributions into his hands.
+
+Next morning at breakfast, my kind host came in a little late, and
+acknowledged to not having had a very good night. After breakfast he
+asked me to his study, and giving me the contributions handed to him the
+night before, said, "I thought last night, Mr. Taylor, that you were in
+the wrong about a collection; I am now convinced you were quite right.
+As I thought in the night of that stream of souls in China ever passing
+onward into the dark, I could only cry as you suggested, 'LORD, what
+wilt Thou have _me_ to do?' I think I have obtained the guidance I
+sought, and here it is." He handed me a cheque for L500, adding that if
+there had been a collection he would have given a few pounds to it, but
+now this cheque was the result of having spent no small part of the
+night in prayer.
+
+I need scarcely say how surprised and thankful I was for this gift. I
+had received at the breakfast-table a letter from Messrs. Killick,
+Martin and Co., shipping agents, in which they stated that they could
+offer us the whole passenger accommodation of the ship _Lammermuir_. I
+went direct to the ship, found it in every way suitable, and paid the
+cheque on account. As above stated, the funds deemed needed had been
+already in hand for some time; but the coincidence of the simultaneous
+offer of the ship accommodation and this munificent gift--GOD'S
+"exceeding abundantly"--greatly encouraged my heart.
+
+On the 26th of May we sailed for China in the _Lammermuir_, a missionary
+party of 16 (besides my four children and their nurse, and Miss Bausum
+(afterwards Mrs. Barchet)); in all 22 passengers. Mr. Berger took charge
+of the home department, and thus the C. I. M. was fully inaugurated.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE MISSION IN 1894
+
+
+THE events sketched in the last two chapters have been more fully
+delineated by Miss Guinness in her interesting _Story of the China
+Inland Mission_, which continues its history to the present date. It is
+indeed a record of the goodness of GOD, every remembrance of which calls
+for gratitude and praise. We can only here briefly mention a few facts,
+referring our readers to Miss Guinness's work for all details.
+
+After a voyage of many mercies the _Lammermuir_ party safely reached
+China, and during the first ten years stations and out-stations were
+opened in many cities and towns in four provinces which hitherto had
+been unreached by the Gospel. At home Mr. and Mrs. Berger continued
+their devoted service until March 19th, 1872, I having returned to
+England the year before. Shortly after this the London Council was
+formed, which has now for several years been assisted by an auxiliary
+Council of ladies. A Scotch Council was also formed in Glasgow a few
+years ago.
+
+A visit to America in 1888 issued in the formation of the Council for
+North America, and a similar Council for Australasia was commenced in
+Melbourne two years later. In the field a China Council was organised in
+1886, composed of senior missionaries who meet quarterly in Shanghai.
+
+Closely associated with the C. I. M. are seven Committees--in England,
+Norway, Sweden (two), Finland, Germany, and the United States--which
+send out and support their own missionaries, who in China have the
+assistance of the educational and other advantages of the C. I. M., and
+who work under its direction.
+
+The staff of the Mission, in May 1893, consisted of 552 missionaries
+(including wives and associates). There were also 326 native helpers (95
+of whom were unpaid), working as pastors, evangelists, teachers,
+colporteurs, Bible-women, etc., in 14 different provinces.
+
+Duly qualified candidates for missionary labour are accepted without
+restriction as to denomination, provided they are sound in the faith in
+all fundamental truths: these go out in dependence upon GOD for temporal
+supplies, with the clear understanding that the officers of the Mission
+do not guarantee any income whatever; and knowing that as they will not
+go into debt, they can only minister to them as the funds sent in from
+time to time will allow. But we praise GOD that during the past
+twenty-eight years such ministry has always been possible; our GOD _has_
+supplied all our need, and has withheld no good thing.
+
+All the expenses of the Mission at home and abroad are met by voluntary
+contributions, sent to the offices of the Mission without personal
+solicitation, by those who wish to aid in this effort to spread the
+knowledge of the Gospel throughout China. The income for the year 1892
+was about L34,000 from all sources--Great Britain, the Continent of
+Europe, North America, Australasia, China, etc.
+
+Some of the missionaries having private property have gone out at their
+own expense, and do not take anything from the Mission funds.
+
+Stations have been opened in ten of the eleven provinces which were
+previously without Protestant missionaries; from one of these, however,
+we have had to retire. The eleventh province has been visited several
+times, and it is hoped that in it permanent work may soon be begun.
+
+More than 200 stations and out-stations have been opened in fourteen of
+the eighteen provinces, in all of which stations either missionaries or
+native labourers are resident. Over 6000 converts have been baptized
+from the commencement, some 4000 of whom are now living and in
+fellowship.
+
+
+THE MISSION IN 1902
+
+The year 1894, in which the first edition of _A Retrospect_ appeared,
+was marked by the erection of large and commodious premises for the work
+of the Mission, and early in the following year the houses in Pyrland
+Road, which had so long formed the home of the Mission in England, were
+vacated, and NEWINGTON GREEN, LONDON, N., became the address of the
+Mission offices and home.
+
+From that date until the Boxer outbreak of 1900 the Mission made steady
+progress, the development of the work in China being accompanied by
+corresponding developments in the home departments of the Mission in
+England, America, and Australasia.
+
+In January 1900, before the Boxer outbreak, there were in connection
+with the Mission, 811 missionaries, including wives and associates; 171
+stations; 223 out-stations; 387 chapels; 581 paid native helpers; 193
+unpaid native helpers; 8557 communicants in fellowship, 12,964 having
+been baptized from the commencement. There were 266 organised churches;
+788 boarding scholars; 1382 day scholars; 6 hospitals; 18 dispensaries;
+and 46 opium refuges.
+
+During the terrible year of 1900, when no fewer than 135 missionaries
+and 53 missionaries' children and many thousands of Chinese Christians
+were cruelly murdered, the China Inland Mission lost 58 missionaries and
+21 children. The records of these unparalleled times of suffering have
+been told in _Martyred Missionaries of the China Inland Mission_ and in
+_Last Letters_, both of which books will be found advertised at the end
+of this volume. Apart from loss of life, there was an immense amount of
+Mission property destroyed, and the missionaries were compelled to
+retire from their stations in most parts of China.
+
+The doors closed by this outbreak have all been reopened in the goodness
+of GOD. In those districts which suffered most from the massacres the
+work has largely been one of reorganisation; but throughout China
+generally there has been a spirit of awakening and a time of enlarged
+opportunity; which is a loud call for more men and women to volunteer to
+step into the gaps and fill the places of those who have fallen.
+
+Among recent developments we would specially mention the opening of a
+new home centre at Philadelphia, U.S.A. The total income of the Mission
+for 1901 was L53,633 = $257,712, and the total received in England
+alone, for 1902, was L51,446 = $246,912. The total membership of the
+Mission in June 1902 was 761.
+
+Current information about the progress of the work in China may be
+obtained from _China's Millions_, the organ of the Mission. It is
+published monthly, and may be ordered through any bookseller from
+Messrs. Morgan and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, E.C., for 1s. per
+year, or direct by post from the offices of the Mission, Newington
+Green, London, N., for 1s. 6d. per annum.
+
+The Australasian edition of _China's Millions_ may be ordered at the
+same price from M. L. Hutchinson, Little Collins Street, or from the
+Mission Offices, 267 Collins Street, Melbourne. The North American
+edition will be sent post free from the Mission Offices, 507 Church
+Street, Toronto, for 50 cents per annum.
+
+Prayer meetings on behalf of the work in China are held at the principal
+home centres of the Mission, as follows: Every Saturday afternoon from 4
+to 6 o'clock, at Newington Green, London. Every Friday evening at 8
+o'clock, at 507 Church Street, Toronto. Every Saturday afternoon at 4
+o'clock, in the Office, 267 Collins Street, Melbourne. A hearty
+invitation to attend any one of these meetings is given to any one
+residing in or visiting any of these cities.
+
+Donations to the Mission, applications from candidates, orders for
+literature, requests for deputation speakers, and other correspondence
+should be forwarded to
+
+          The Secretary,
+            China Inland Mission,
+              Newington Green, London, N.
+
+          The Home Director,
+            China Inland Mission,
+              507 Church Street, Toronto, Canada.
+
+or
+
+          702 Witherspoon Buildings, Philadelphia, U.S.A.
+
+or to
+
+          The Secretary,
+            China Inland Mission,
+              267 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia.
+
+[Illustration: MAP OF CHINA
+
+  Shewing {1. All Protestant Mission Stations in China up to June 1866,
+              when the C.I.M. was founded (they numbered fifteen) These
+              are underlined in black.
+          {2. The Stations of the China Inland Mission which (with the
+              exception of Ning-Po &amp; Fung-hwa) have been opened since
+              June 1866. These are printed in red.]
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+STATIONS OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION
+
+1900
+
+(BEFORE THE BOXER OUTBREAK)
+
+
+The best guide to the stations of the Mission is the new _China Inland
+Mission Map_ (size 44 x 38 in., mounted on linen, coloured, varnished,
+and hung on rollers), price 8s. _net_, carriage and packing extra.
+Mounted to fold, 8s. _net_, post free.
+
+      Provinces.[4]                Stations.[5]            WORK BEGUN.
+
+  =Kan-suh=, 1876                    LIANG-CHAU                   1888
+                                     SI-NING                      1885
+                                     LAN-CHAU                     1885
+                                     TS'IN-CHAU                   1878
+  _Area,[6] 125,450 square miles._   FU K'IANG                    1899
+  _Population, 9,285,377._           P'ING-LIANG                  1895
+                                     KING-CHAU                    1895
+                                     TS'ING-NING                  1897
+                                     Chen-yuen                    1897
+                                     Tong-chi                     1899
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Shen-si=, 1876.                   Lung-chau                    1893
+                                     FENG-TSIANG                  1888
+                                     Mei-hien                     1893
+                                     K'IEN-CHAU                   1894
+  _Area, 67,400 square miles._       Chau-chih                    1893
+  _Population, 8,432,193._           _Sang-kia-chuang_            1894
+                                     Hing-p'ing                   1893
+                                     SI-GAN                       1893
+                                     _Ying-kia-wei_               1893
+                                     Chen-kia-hu                  1897
+                                     Lan-t'ien                    1895
+                                     K'ien-yang                   1897
+                                     Ch'ang-wu                    1897
+                                     San-shui                     1897
+                                     T'UNG-CHAU                   1891
+                                     Han-ch'eng                   1897
+                                     HAN-CHUNG                    1879
+                                     Ch'eng-ku                    1887
+                                     Si-hsiang                    1896
+                                     Yang-hien                    1896
+                                     HING-AN                      1898
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Shan-si=, 1876                    TA-T'UNG                     1886
+                                     Hwen-yuen                    1898
+                                     SOH-P'ING                    1895
+                                     Tsoe-yuin                     1895
+                                     YING-CHAU                    1897
+                                     Hiao-i                       1887
+                                     Kiai-hiu                     1891
+                                     SIH-CHAU                     1885
+                                     Ta-ning                      1885
+                                     KIH-CHAU                     1891
+                                     Ho-tsin                      1893
+                                     Ping-yao                     1888
+  _Area, 56,268 square miles._       HOH-CHAU                     1886
+  _Population, 12,211,453._          Hung-t'ung                   1886
+                                     Yoh-yang                     1896
+                                     P'ING-YANG                   1879
+                                     K'ueh-wu                      1885
+                                     I-shi                        1891
+                                     Yuein-ch'eng                  1888
+                                     _Mei-ti-kiai_                1895
+                                     HIAI-CHAU                    1895
+                                     Lu-ch'eng                    1889
+                                     _Ue-wu_                       1896
+                                     LU-GAN                       1889
+                                     Kiang-chau                   1898
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Chih-li=, 1887                    T'IEN-TSIN                   1888
+  _Area, 58,949 square miles._       PAO-T'ING                    1891
+  _Population, 17,937,000._          Hwuy-luh                     1887
+                                     SHUN-TEH                     1888
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Shan-tung=, 1879                  _Chefoo_                     1879
+                                        "    Sanatorium           1880
+                                        "    Boys' School         1880
+  _Area, 53,762 square miles._          "    Girls'  "            1884
+  _Population, 36,247,835._             "    Preparatory School   1895
+                                     _T'ung-shin_                 1889
+                                     Ning-hai                     1886
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Ho-nan=, 1875                     Siang-ch'eng                 1891
+                                     _Chau-kia-k'eo_              1884
+                                       _Ho-nan_                    ...
+                                       _Ho-peh_                    ...
+                                       _Ho-si_                     ...
+  _Area, 66,913 square miles._       CH'EN-CHAU                   1895
+  _Population, 22,115,827._          T'ai-k'ang                   1895
+                                     _She-k'i-tien_               1886
+                                     Kwang-chau                   1899
+                                     Hin-an                       1899
+                                     _King-tsi-kuan_              1896
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =W. Si-ch'uan=, 1877               Kwan-hien                    1889
+                                     CH'EN-TU                     1881
+                                     KIA-TING                     1888
+  _Area of whole Province,           SUI-FU                       1888
+  166,800 square miles._             LU-CHAU                      1890
+                                     Hiao-shi                     1899
+                                     CH'UNG-K'ING                 1877
+                                     Ta-chien-lu                  1897
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =E. Si-ch'uan=, 1886               Kwang-yuen                   1889
+                                     _Sin-tien-tsi_               1892
+                                     PAO-NING                     1886
+                                     Ying-shan                    1898
+  _Population of whole Province,     Kue-hien                      1898
+  67,712,897._                       SHUN-K'ING                   1896
+                                     Pa-chau                      1887
+                                     SUI-TING                     1899
+                                     Wan-hien                     1888
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Hu-peh=, 1874                     _Lao-ho-k'eo_                1887
+  _Area, 70,450 square miles._       _Han-kow_                    1889
+  _Population, 34,244,685._          I-CH'ANG                     1895
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Gan-hwuy=, 1869                   T'ai-ho                      1892
+                                     VING-CHAU                    1897
+                                     _Ch'eng-yang-kwan_           1887
+                                     _K'u-ch'eng_                 1887
+                                     Fuh-hing-tsih (Lai-gan)      1898
+                                     LUH-GAN                      1890
+                                     GAN-K'ING                    1869
+  _Area, 48,461 square miles._          Training Home              ...
+  _Population, 20,596,288._          Wu-hu                        1893
+                                     Kien-p'ing                   1894
+                                     NING-KWOH                    1874
+                                     KWANG-TEH                    1890
+                                     CH'I-CHAU                    1889
+                                     Kien-teh                     1892
+                                     HWUY-CHAU                    1884
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Kiang-su=, 1854                   Gan-tung                     1891
+                                     Ts'ing-kiang-pu              1869
+                                     Kao-yiu                      1888
+                                     YANG-CHAU                    1868
+                                       Training Home               ...
+                                     CHIN-KIANG                   1888
+  _Area, 44,500 square miles._       Shanghai                     1854
+  _Population, 20,905,171._            Financial Department        ...
+                                       Business Department         ...
+                                       Home                        ...
+                                       Hospital                    ...
+                                       Evangelistic Work           ...
+                                       Literary Work               ...
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Yun-nan=, 1877                    Bhamo (Upper Burmah)         1875
+  _Area, 107,969 square miles._      TA-LI                        1881
+  _Population, 11,721,576._          YUN-NAN                      1882
+                                     K'UeH-TS'ING                  1889
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Kwei-chau=, 1877                  KWEI-YANG                    1877
+                                     GAN-SHUN                     1888
+  _Area, 64,554 square miles._       Tuh-shan                     1893
+  _Population, 7,669,181._           HING-I                       1891
+                                       (Work among Aborigines)     ...
+                                     _P'ang-hai_                  1897
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Hu-nan=, 1875                     CH'ANG-TEH                   1898
+  _Area, 74,320 square miles_.       SHEN-CHAU                    1898
+  _Population, 21,002,604._          Ch'a-ling                    1898
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Kiang-si=, 1869                   KIU-KIANG                    1889
+                                     Ku-ling Sanatorium           1898
+                                     _Ta-ku-t'ang_                1873
+                                     NAN-K'ANG                    1887
+                                     Gan-ren                      1889
+                                     RAO-CHAU                     1898
+                                     _Peh-kan_                    1893
+                                     Kwei-k'i                     1878
+                                     _Shang-ts'ing_               1893
+                                     Hue-wan                       1899
+                                     Ih-yang                      1890
+  _Area, 72,176 square miles._       _Ho-k'eo_                    1878
+  _Population, 24,534,118._          _Yang-k'eo_                  1890
+                                     Kwang-feng                   1889
+                                     Yuh-shan                     1877
+                                     _Chang-shu_                  1895
+                                     KUI-GAN                      1891
+                                     _Feng-kang_                  1891
+                                     KAN-CHAU                     1899
+                                     Sin-feng                     1899
+                                     LIN-KIANG                    1898
+                                     NAN-CH'ANG                   1898
+                                     UEN-CHAU (_Itinerating_)      ...
+                                     Yung-sin                     1899
+  --------------------------------------------------------------------
+  =Cheh-kiang=, 1857                 HANG-CHAU                    1866
+                                     SHAO-HING                    1866
+                                     Sin-ch'ang                   1870
+                                     KIU-CHAU                     1872
+                                     Ch'ang-shan                  1878
+                                     Lan-k'i                      1894
+  _Area, 39,150 square miles_.       KIN-HWA                      1875
+  _Population, 11,588,692._          Yung-k'ang                   1882
+                                     Tseh-k'i                     1897
+                                     CH'U-CHAU                    1875
+                                     Lung-ch'uen                  1894
+                                     Uin-ho                       1895
+                                     Song-yang                    1896
+                                     _Siao-mei_                   1896
+                                     Tsin-yun                     1898
+                                     NING-P'O                     1857
+                                     Fung-hwa                     1866
+                                     Ning-hai                     1868
+                                     T'ien-t'ai                   1898
+                                     T'AI-CHAU                    1867
+                                     Ling-he District              ...
+                                     Hwang-yen                    1896
+                                     T'ai-p'ing                   1898
+                                     WUN-CHAU                     1867
+                                     Bing-yae                     1874
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[4] Arranged in three lines from west to east, for easy reference to
+Map. The dates in this column in many cases are of itinerations begun.
+
+[5] Capitals of Provinces in capital letters; of Prefectures in small
+capitals; and of Counties in romans; Market Towns in italics.
+
+[6] Areas and populations are from _The Statesman's Year Book_.
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_Printed by_ R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, _Edinburgh._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Page 109, "my" changed to "My" (My marriage had been)
+
+Page 125, ending ) added. (Miss Bausum (afterwards Mrs. Barchett)); in)
+
+Page 129, format of "God" was changed to "GOD" to match rest of usage.
+(goodness of GOD)
+
+Possible nconsistencies in spelling of Chinese names were retained such
+as Bhamo and Bhamo.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Retrospect, by James Hudson Taylor
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A RETROSPECT ***
+
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