[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 tothe formation of the CHINA INLAND MISSION, and to its taking the form inwhich it has been developed, first appeared in the pages of _China'sMillions_. Many of those who read it there asked that it might appear inseparate form. Miss Guinness incorporated it in the _Story of the ChinaInland Mission_, a record which contained the account of GOD'S goodnessto the beginning of 1894. But friends still asking for it in pamphletform, for wider distribution, this edition is brought out. 

Much of the material was taken from notes of addresses given in Chinaduring a conference of our missionaries; this will account for thedirect and narrative form of the papers, which it has not been thoughtnecessary to change. 

It is always helpful to us to fix our attention on the GOD-ward aspectof Christian work; to realise that the work of GOD does not mean so muchman's work for GOD, as GOD'S own work through man. Furthermore, in ourprivileged position of fellow-workers with Him, while fully recognisingall the benefits and blessings to be bestowed on a sin-stricken worldthrough the proclamation of the Gospel and spread of the Truth, weshould never lose sight of the higher aspect of our work--that ofobedience to GOD, of bringing glory to His Name, of gladdening theheart of our GOD and FATHER by living and serving as His belovedchildren. 

Many circumstances connected with my own early life and servicepresented this aspect of work vividly to me; and as I think of some ofthem, I am reminded of how much the cause of missions is indebted tomany who are never themselves permitted to see the mission field--many, it may be, who are unable to give largely of their substance, and whowill be not a little surprised in the Great Day to see how much the workhas 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, Iowe an unspeakable debt of gratitude to my beloved and honoured parents, who have passed away and entered into rest, but the influence of whoselives will never pass away. 

Many years ago, probably about 1830, the heart of my dear father, thenhimself an earnest and successful evangelist at home, was deeply stirredas to the spiritual state of China by reading several books, andespecially an account of the travels of Captain Basil Hall. Hiscircumstances were such as to preclude the hope of his ever going toChina for personal service, but he was led to pray that if GOD shouldgive him a son, he might be called and privileged to labour in the vastneedy empire which was then apparently so sealed against the truth. Iwas not aware of this desire or prayer myself until my return toEngland, more than seven years after I had sailed for China; but it wasvery interesting then to know how prayer offered before my birth hadbeen answered in this matter. 

All thought of my becoming a missionary was abandoned for many years bymy dear parents on account of the feebleness of my health. When thetime came, however, GOD gave increased health, and my life has beenspared, and strength has been given for not a little toilsome serviceboth in the mission field and at home, while many stronger men and womenhave succumbed. 

I had many opportunities in early years of learning the value of prayerand of the Word of GOD; for it was the delight of my dear parents topoint out that if there were any such Being as GOD, to trust Him, toobey Him, and to be fully given up to His service, must of necessity bethe best and wisest course both for myself and others. But in spite ofthese helpful examples and precepts my heart was unchanged. Often I hadtried 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 besaved, 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 holdingsceptical and infidel views, and accepted their teaching, only toothankful for some hope of escape from the doom which, if my parents wereright and the Bible true, awaited the impenitent. It may seem strange tosay it, but I have often felt thankful for the experience of this timeof scepticism. The inconsistencies of Christian people, who whileprofessing to believe their Bibles were yet content to live just as theywould if there were no such book, had been one of the strongestarguments of my sceptical companions; and I frequently felt at thattime, and said, that if I pretended to believe the Bible I would at anyrate attempt to live by it, putting it fairly to the test, and if itfailed to prove true and reliable, would throw it overboard altogether. These views I retained when the LORD was pleased to bring me toHimself; and I think I may say that since then I _have_ put GOD'S Wordto the test. Certainly it has never failed me. I have never had reasonto regret the confidence I have placed in its promises, or to deplorefollowing the guidance I have found in its directions. 

Let me tell you how GOD answered the prayers of my dear mother and of mybeloved sister, now Mrs. Broomhall, for my conversion. On a day which Ishall never forget, when I was about fifteen years of age, my dearmother being absent from home, I had a holiday, and in the afternoonlooked through my father's library to find some book with which to whileaway the unoccupied hours. Nothing attracting me, I turned over a littlebasket of pamphlets, and selected from amongst them a Gospel tract whichlooked interesting, saying to myself, "There will be a story at thecommencement, and a sermon or moral at the close: I will take the formerand leave the latter for those who like it. "

I sat down to read the little book in an utterly unconcerned state ofmind, believing indeed at the time that if there were any salvation itwas not for me, and with a distinct intention to put away the tract assoon as it should seem prosy. I may say that it was not uncommon inthose days to call conversion "becoming serious"; and judging by thefaces of some of its professors, it appeared to be a very serious matterindeed. Would it not be well if the people of GOD had always tell-talefaces, evincing the blessings and gladness of salvation so clearly thatunconverted 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 dearmother, seventy or eighty miles away. She rose from the dinner-tablethat afternoon with an intense yearning for the conversion of her boy, and feeling that--absent from home, and having more leisure than shecould otherwise secure--a special opportunity was afforded her ofpleading with GOD on my behalf. She went to her room and turned the keyin the door, resolved not to leave that spot until her prayers wereanswered. Hour after hour did that dear mother plead for me, until atlength she could pray no longer, but was constrained to praise GOD forthat which His SPIRIT taught her had already been accomplished--theconversion of her only son. 

I in the meantime had been led in the way I have mentioned to take upthis little tract, and while reading it was struck with the sentence, "The finished work of CHRIST. " The thought passed through my mind, "Whydoes the author use this expression? why not say the atoning orpropitiatory work of CHRIST?" Immediately the words "It is finished"suggested themselves to my mind. What was finished? And I at oncereplied, "A full and perfect atonement and satisfaction for sin: thedebt was paid by the Substitute; CHRIST died for our sins, and not forours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. " Then came thethought, "If the whole work was finished and the whole debt paid, whatis 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 wasnothing in the world to be done but to fall down on one's knees, andaccepting 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 toread at my leisure this little book. 

Several days elapsed ere I ventured to make my beloved sister theconfidante of my joy, and then only after she had promised not to tellany one of my soul secret. When our dear mother came home a fortnightlater, I was the first to meet her at the door, and to tell her I hadsuch glad news to give. I can almost feel that dear mother's arms aroundmy neck, as she pressed me to her bosom and said, "I know, my boy; Ihave been rejoicing for a fortnight in the glad tidings you have to tellme. " "Why, " I asked in surprise, "has Amelia broken her promise? Shesaid she would tell no one. " My dear mother assured me that it was notfrom any human source that she had learned the tidings, and went on totell the little incident mentioned above. You will agree with me that itwould 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-bookexactly 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, whichbelonged to my sister, to the effect that she would give herself dailyto prayer until GOD should answer in the conversion of her brother. Exactly one month later the LORD was pleased to turn me from darkness tolight. 

Brought up in such a circle and saved under such circumstances, it wasperhaps natural that from the commencement of my Christian life I wasled to feel that the promises were very real, and that prayer was insober matter of fact transacting business with GOD, whether on one's ownbehalf 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 weresucceeded by a period of painful deadness of soul, with much conflict. But this also came to an end, leaving a deepened sense of personalweakness and dependence on the LORD as the only KEEPER as well asSAVIOUR of His people. How sweet to the soul, wearied and disappointedin its struggles with sin, is the calm repose of trust in the SHEPHERDof Israel. 

Not many months after my conversion, having a leisure afternoon, Iretired 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 Ipoured out my soul before GOD; and again and again confessing mygrateful love to Him who had done everything for me--who had saved mewhen I had given up all hope and even desire for salvation--I besoughtHim to give me some work to do for Him, as an outlet for love andgratitude; some self-denying service, no matter what it might be, however trying or however trivial; something with which He would bepleased, and that I might do for Him who had done so much for me. Welldo I remember, as in unreserved consecration I put myself, my life, myfriends, my all, upon the altar, the deep solemnity that came over mysoul with the assurance that my offering was accepted. The presence ofGOD became unutterably real and blessed; and though but a child undersixteen, I remember stretching myself on the ground, and lying theresilent before Him with unspeakable awe and unspeakable joy. 

For what service I was accepted I knew not; but a deep consciousnessthat I was no longer my own took possession of me, which has never sincebeen effaced. It has been a very practical consciousness. Two or threeyears later propositions of an unusually favourable nature were made tome with regard to medical study, on the condition of my becomingapprenticed to the medical man who was my friend and teacher. But I feltI dared not accept any binding engagement such as was suggested. I wasnot my own to give myself away; for I knew not when or how He whosealone 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 waswrought into my soul that it was in China the LORD wanted me. It seemedto me highly probable that the work to which I was thus called mightcost my life; for China was not then open as it is now. But fewmissionary societies had at that time workers in China, and but fewbooks on the subject of China missions were accessible to me. I learned, however, that the Congregational minister of my native town possessed acopy of Medhurst's _China_, and I called upon him to ask a loan of thebook. This he kindly granted, asking me why I wished to read it. I toldhim that GOD had called me to spend my life in missionary service inthat land. "And how do you propose to go there?" he inquired. I answeredthat I did not at all know; that it seemed to me probable that I shouldneed to do as the Twelve and the Seventy had done in Judæa--go withoutpurse 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, myboy, as you grow older you will get wiser than that. Such an idea woulddo 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 everconvinced that if we were to take the directions of our MASTER and theassurances He gave to His first disciples more fully as our guide, weshould find them to be just as suited to our times as to those in whichthey 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 ofpreparation. 

My beloved parents neither discouraged nor encouraged my desire toengage in missionary work. They advised me, with such convictions, touse all the means in my power to develop the resources of body, mind, heart, and soul, and to wait prayerfully upon GOD, quite willing, shouldHe show me that I was mistaken, to follow His guidance, or to go forwardif in due time He should open the way to missionary service. Theimportance of this advice I have often since had occasion to prove. Ibegan 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 manyother home comforts as I could, in order to prepare myself for rougherlines of life. I began also to do what Christian work was in my power, in the way of tract distribution, Sunday-school teaching, and visitingthe poor and sick, as opportunity afforded. 

After a time of preparatory study at home, I went to Hull for medicaland surgical training. There I became assistant to a doctor who wasconnected with the Hull school of medicine, and was surgeon also to anumber of factories, which brought many accident cases to ourdispensary, and gave me the opportunity of seeing and practising theminor operations of surgery. 

And here an event took place that I must not omit to mention. Beforeleaving home my attention was drawn to the subject of setting apart thefirstfruits of all one's increase and a proportionate part of one'spossessions to the LORD'S service. I thought it well to study thequestion with my Bible in hand before I went away from home, and wasplaced in circumstances which might bias my conclusions by the pressureof surrounding wants and cares. I was thus led to the determination toset apart not less than one-tenth of whatever moneys I might earn orbecome possessed of for the LORD'S service. The salary I received asmedical assistant in Hull at the time now referred to would have allowedme with ease to do this. But owing to changes in the family of my kindfriend and employer, it was necessary for me to reside out of doors. Comfortable quarters were secured with a relative, and in addition tothe sum determined on as remuneration for my services I received theexact 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 aquestion of Government income tax it certainly would not have beenexcluded. On the other hand, to take a tithe from the whole would notleave me sufficient for other purposes; and for some little time I wasmuch embarrassed to know what to do. After much thought and prayer I wasled to leave the comfortable quarters and happy circle in which I wasnow residing, and to engage a little lodging in the suburbs--asitting-room and bedroom in one--undertaking to board myself. In thisway I was able without difficulty to tithe the whole of my income; andwhile I felt the change a good deal, it was attended with no smallblessing. 

More time was given in my solitude to the study of the Word of GOD, tovisiting the poor, and to evangelistic work on summer evenings thanwould otherwise have been the case. Brought into contact in this waywith many who were in distress, I soon saw the privilege of stillfurther economising, and found it not difficult to give away much morethan the proportion of my income I had at first intended. 

About this time a friend drew my attention to the question of thepersonal and pre-millennial coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and gave mea list of passages bearing upon it, without note or comment, advising meto ponder the subject. For a while I gave much time to studying theScriptures about it, with the result that I was led to see that thissame JESUS who left our earth in His resurrection body was so to comeagain, that His feet were to stand on the Mount of Olives, and that Hewas to take possession of the temporal throne of His father David whichwas promised before His birth. I saw, further, that all through the NewTestament the coming of the LORD was the great hope of His people, andwas always appealed to as the strongest motive for consecration andservice, and as the greatest comfort in trial and affliction. I learned, too, that the period of His return for His people was not revealed, andthat it was their privilege, from day to day and from hour to hour, tolive 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 particularhour, 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 withjoy, and not with grief. 

The effect of this blessed hope was a thoroughly practical one. It ledme to look carefully through my little library to see if there were anybooks there that were not needed or likely to be of further service, andto examine my small wardrobe, to be quite sure that it contained nothingthat I should be sorry to give an account of should the MASTER come atonce. The result was that the library was considerably diminished, tothe benefit of some poor neighbours, and to the far greater benefit ofmy own and that I found I had articles of clothing also which might beput to better advantage in other directions. 

It has been very helpful to me from time to time through life, asoccasion has served, to act again in a similar way; and I have nevergone through my house, from basement to attic, with this object in view, without receiving a great accession of spiritual joy and blessing. Ibelieve we are all in danger of accumulating--it may be fromthoughtlessness, or from pressure of occupation--things which would beuseful to others, while not needed by ourselves, and the retention ofwhich entails loss of blessing. If the whole resources of the Church ofGOD were well utilised, how much more might be accomplished! How manypoor might be fed and naked clothed, and to how many of those as yetunreached the Gospel might be carried! Let me advise this line of thingsas a constant habit of mind, and a profitable course to be practicallyadopted whenever circumstances permit. 

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CHAPTER III

PREPARATION FOR SERVICE

HAVING now the twofold object in view of accustoming myself to endurehardness, and of economising in order to be able more largely to assistthose 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 previouslythought possible. Butter, milk, and other such luxuries I soon ceased touse; and I found that by living mainly on oatmeal and rice, withoccasional variations, a very small sum was sufficient for my needs. Inthis way I had more than two-thirds of my income available for otherpurposes; and my experience was that the less I spent on myself and themore I gave away, the fuller of happiness and blessing did my soulbecome. Unspeakable joy all the day long, and every day, was my happyexperience. GOD, even my GOD, was a living, bright Reality; and all Ihad to do was joyful service. 

It was to me a very grave matter, however, to contemplate going out toChina, far away from all human aid, there to depend upon the living GODalone for protection, supplies, and help of every kind. I felt thatone'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 thattime learned that even "if we believe not, He abideth faithful, Hecannot deny Himself"; and it was consequently a very serious question tomy mind, not whether _He_ was faithful, but whether I had strong enoughfaith 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 onany one for anything; my only claim will be on GOD. How important, therefore, to learn before leaving England to move man, through GOD, byprayer alone. "

At Hull my kind employer, always busily occupied, wished me to remindhim 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 thusencourage me by answering prayer. At one time, as the day drew near forthe payment of a quarter's salary, I was as usual much in prayer aboutit. 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, untilat length, on settling up my weekly accounts one Saturday night, I foundmyself possessed of only a single coin--one half-crown piece. Still Ihad hitherto had no lack, and I continued in prayer. 

That Sunday was a very happy one. As usual my heart was full andbrimming over with blessing. After attending Divine service in themorning, my afternoons and evenings were filled with Gospel work, in thevarious lodging-houses I was accustomed to visit in the lowest part ofthe town. At such times it almost seemed to me as if heaven were begunbelow, and that all that could be looked for was an enlargement of one'scapacity for joy, not a truer filling than I possessed. After concludingmy last service about ten o'clock that night, a poor man asked me to goand pray with his wife, saying that she was dying. I readily agreed, andon the way to his house asked him why he had not sent for the priest, ashis accent told me he was an Irishman. He had done so, he said, but thepriest refused to come without a payment of eighteenpence, which the mandid not possess, as the family was starving. Immediately it occurred tomy mind that all the money I had in the world was the solitaryhalf-crown, and that it was in one coin; moreover, that while the basinof water gruel I usually took for supper was awaiting me, and there wassufficient in the house for breakfast in the morning, I certainly hadnothing for dinner on the coming day. 

Somehow or other there was at once a stoppage in the flow of joy in myheart; 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 intosuch a state as he described, and that he ought to have applied to therelieving officer. His answer was that he had done so, and was told tocome at eleven o'clock the next morning, but that he feared that hiswife might not live through the night. "Ah, " thought I, "if only I hadtwo shillings and a sixpence instead of this half-crown, how gladlywould I give these poor people one shilling of it!" But to part with thehalf-crown was far from my thoughts. I little dreamed that the realtruth of the matter simply was that I could trust in GOD plusone-and-sixpence, but was not yet prepared to trust Him only, withoutany money at all in my pocket. 

My conductor led me into a court, down which I followed him with somedegree of nervousness. I had found myself there before, and at my lastvisit had been very roughly handled, while my tracts were torn topieces, and I received such a warning not to come again that I feltmore than a little concerned. Still, it was the path of duty, and Ifollowed on. Up a miserable flight of stairs, into a wretched room, heled me; and oh what a sight there presented itself to our eyes! Four orfive poor children stood about, their sunken cheeks and temples alltelling unmistakably the story of slow starvation; and lying on awretched pallet was a poor exhausted mother, with a tiny infantthirty-six hours old, moaning rather than crying at her side, for it tooseemed spent and failing. "Ah!" thought I, "if I had two shillings and asixpence instead of half-a-crown, how gladly should they haveone-and-sixpence of it!" But still a wretched unbelief prevented me fromobeying the impulse to relieve their distress at the cost of all Ipossessed. 

It will scarcely seem strange that I was unable to say much to comfortthese poor people. I needed comfort myself. I began to tell them, however, that they must not be cast down, that though theircircumstances were very distressing, there was a kind and loving FATHERin heaven; but something within me said, "You hypocrite! telling theseunconverted people about a kind and loving FATHER in heaven, and notprepared yourself to trust Him without half-a-crown!" I was nearlychoked. How gladly would I have compromised with conscience if I had hada florin and a sixpence! I would have given the florin thankfully andkept the rest; but I was not yet prepared to trust in GOD alone, withoutthe sixpence. 

To talk was impossible under these circumstances; yet, strange to say, Ithought I should have no difficulty in praying. Prayer was a delightfuloccupation 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 shouldhave to do would be to kneel down and engage in prayer, and that reliefwould come to them and to myself together. "You asked me to come andpray with your wife, " I said to the man, "let us pray. " And I kneltdown. But scarcely had I opened my lips with "Our FATHER who art inheaven" than conscience said within, "Dare you mock GOD? Dare you kneeldown and call Him FATHER with that half-crown in your pocket?" Such atime of conflict came upon me then as I have never experienced before orsince. How I got through that form of prayer I know not, and whether thewords uttered were connected or disconnected I cannot tell; but I arosefrom my knees in great distress of mind. 

The poor father turned to me and said, "You see what a terrible state weare in, sir; if you can help us, for GOD'S sake do!" Just then the wordflashed into my mind, "Give to him that asketh of thee, " and in the wordof a KING there is power. I put my hand into my pocket, and slowlydrawing forth the half-crown, gave it to the man, telling him that itmight seem a small matter for me to relieve them, seeing that I wascomparatively well off, but that in parting with that coin I was givinghim my all; what I had been trying to tell him was indeed true--GODreally was a FATHER, and might be trusted. The joy all came back in fullflood-tide to my heart; I could say anything and feel it then, and thehindrance to blessing was gone--gone, I trust, for ever. 

Not only was the poor woman's life saved, but I realised that my lifewas saved too! It might have been a wreck--would have been a wreckprobably, as a Christian life--had not grace at that time conquered, andthe striving of GOD'S SPIRIT been obeyed. I well remember how thatnight, as I went home to my lodgings, my heart was as light as mypocket. The lonely, deserted streets resounded with a hymn of praisewhich I could not restrain. When I took my basin of gruel beforeretiring, I would not have exchanged it for a prince's feast. Ireminded the LORD as I knelt at my bedside of His own Word, that he whogiveth to the poor lendeth to the LORD: I asked Him not to let my loanbe a long one, or I should have no dinner next day; and with peacewithin and peace without, I spent a happy, restful night. 

Next morning for breakfast my plate of porridge remained, and before itwas consumed the postman's knock was heard at the door. I was not in thehabit of receiving letters on Monday, as my parents and most of myfriends refrained from posting on Saturday; so that I was somewhatsurprised when the landlady came in holding a letter or packet in herwet hand covered by her apron. I looked at the letter, but could notmake 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. Onopening the envelope I found nothing written within; but inside a sheetof blank paper was folded a pair of kid gloves, from which, as I openedthem in astonishment, half-a-sovereign fell to the ground. "Praise theLORD!" I exclaimed; "400 per cent for twelve hours investment; that isgood interest. How glad the merchants of Hull would be if they couldlend their money at such a rate!" I then and there determined that abank which could not break should have my savings or earnings as thecase might be--a determination I have not yet learned to regret. 

I cannot tell you how often my mind has recurred to this incident, orall the help it has been to me in circumstances of difficulty inafter-life. If we are faithful to GOD in little things, we shall gainexperience and strength that will be helpful to us in the more serioustrials of life. 

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CHAPTER IV

FURTHER ANSWERS TO PRAYER

THE remarkable and gracious deliverance I have spoken of, was a greatjoy to me, as well as a strong confirmation of faith; but of course tenshillings, however economically used, will not go very far, and it wasnone the less necessary to continue in prayer, asking that the largersupply which was still due might be remembered and paid. All mypetitions, however, appeared to remain unanswered; and before afortnight had elapsed I found myself pretty much in the same positionthat I had occupied on the Sunday night already made so memorable. Meanwhile, I continued pleading with GOD, more and more earnestly, thatHe would graciously remind my employer that my salary was overdue. Ofcourse it was not the want of the money that distressed me--that couldhave been had at any time for the asking--but the question uppermost inmy mind was this: "Can I go to China? or will my want of faith and powerwith GOD prove to be so serious an obstacle as to preclude my enteringupon this much-prized service?"

As the week drew to a close I felt exceedingly embarrassed. There wasnot only myself to consider; on Saturday night a payment would be due tomy 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? Yetto do so would be, to myself at any rate, the admission that I was notfitted to undertake a missionary enterprise. I gave nearly the whole ofThursday and Friday--all the time not occupied in my necessaryemployment--to earnest wrestling with GOD in prayer. But still onSaturday morning I was in the same position as before. And now myearnest cry was for guidance as to whether it was my duty to breaksilence and speak to my employer, or whether I should still continue towait the FATHER's time. As far as I could judge, I received theassurance that to wait His time was best; and that GOD in some way orother would interpose on my behalf. So I waited, my heart being now atrest and the burden gone. 

About five o'clock that Saturday afternoon, when the doctor had finishedwriting his prescriptions, his last circuit for the day being taken, hethrew himself back in his arm-chair, as he was wont, and began to speakof the things of GOD. He was a truly Christian man, and many seasons ofvery happy spiritual fellowship we had together. I was busily watching, at the time, a pan in which a decoction was boiling that required a gooddeal of attention. It was indeed fortunate for me that it was so, forwithout any obvious connection with what had been going on, all at oncehe said, "By-the-bye, Taylor, is not your salary due again?" My emotionmay be imagined! I had to swallow two or three times before I couldanswer. With my eye fixed on the pan and my back to the doctor, I toldhim as quietly as I could that it was overdue some little time. Howthankful I felt at that moment! GOD surely had heard my prayer, andcaused him, in this time of my great need, to remember the salarywithout any word or suggestion from me. He replied, "Oh, I am so sorryyou did not remind me! You know how busy I am; I wish I had thought ofit a little sooner, for only this afternoon I sent all the money I hadto the bank, otherwise I would pay you at once. " It is impossible todescribe the revulsion of feeling caused by this unexpected statement. Iknew not what to do. Fortunately for me my pan boiled up, and I had agood reason for rushing with it from the room. Glad indeed I was to getaway, and keep out of sight until after the doctor had returned to hishouse, 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 myheart before the LORD for some time, before calmness--and more thancalmness--thankfulness, and joy were restored to me. I felt that GOD hadHis own way, and was not going to fail me. I had sought to know His willearly in the day, and as far as I could judge had received guidance towait 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 readingthe Word and preparing the subjects on which I expected to speak in thevarious lodging-houses on the morrow. I waited, perhaps, a little longerthan usual. At last, about ten o'clock, there being no interruption ofany 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 inwith the latch-key, as my landlady retired early to rest. There wascertainly no help for that night; but perhaps GOD would interpose for meby Monday, and I might be able to pay my landlady early in the week themoney 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 stepin the garden which lay between the dwelling-house and surgery. He waslaughing to himself very heartily, as though greatly amused bysomething. Entering the surgery, he asked for the ledger, and told methat, strange to say, one of his richest patients had just come to payhis doctor's bill--was it not an odd thing to do? It never struck methat it might have any bearing on my own particular case, or I mighthave felt embarrassed; but looking at it simply from the position of anuninterested spectator, I also was highly amused that a man who wasrolling in wealth should come after ten o'clock at night to pay adoctor's bill, which he could any day have met by a cheque with thegreatest ease. It appeared that somehow or other he could not rest withthis on his mind, and had been constrained to come at that unusual hourto discharge his liability. 

The account was duly receipted in the ledger, and the doctor was aboutto leave, when suddenly he turned, and handing me some of the bank notesjust received, said, to my surprise and thankfulness, "By the way, Taylor, you might as well take these notes; I have not any change, butcan give you the balance next week. " Again I was left--my feelingsundiscovered--to go back to my own little closet and praise the LORDwith 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 provedno small comfort and strength. 

By-and-by the time drew near when it was thought desirable that I shouldleave Hull to attend the medical course of the London Hospital. A littlewhile spent there, and then I had every reason to believe that mylife-work in China would commence. But much as I had rejoiced at thewillingness of GOD to hear and answer prayer and to help Hishalf-trusting, half-timid child, I felt that I could not go to Chinawithout having still further developed and tested my power to rest uponHis faithfulness; and a marked opportunity for doing so wasprovidentially 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 aconsiderable sacrifice for him to undertake this just when it seemednecessary for me to go forward. I had recently become acquainted withthe Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society, in connection withwhich I ultimately left for China, and especially with its secretary, myesteemed and much-loved friend Mr. George Pearse, then of the StockExchange, but now[1] and for many years himself a missionary. Notknowing of my father's proposition, the Committee also kindly offered tobear my expenses while in London. When these proposals were first madeto me, I was not quite clear as to what I ought to do, and in writing tomy father and the secretaries, told them that I would take a few days topray about the matter before deciding any course of action. I mentionedto my father that I had had this offer from the Society, and told thesecretaries also of his proffered aid. 

Subsequently, while waiting upon GOD in prayer for guidance, it becameclear to my mind that I could without difficulty decline both offers. The secretaries of the Society would not know that I had cast myselfwholly on GOD for supplies, and my father would conclude that I hadaccepted the other offer. I therefore wrote declining both propositions, and felt that without any one having either care or anxiety on myaccount I was simply in the hands of GOD, and that He, who knew myheart, if He wished to encourage me to go to China, would bless myeffort to depend upon Him alone at home. 

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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 waspleased--often to my surprise, as well as to my delight--to help me fromtime to time. I soon found that it was not possible to live quite aseconomically in London as in Hull. To lessen expenses I shared a roomwith a cousin, four miles from the hospital, providing myself withboard; and after various experiments I found that the most economicalway was to live almost exclusively on brown bread and water. Thus I wasable to make the means that GOD gave me last as long as possible. Someof my expenses I could not diminish, but my board was largely within myown control. A large twopenny loaf of brown bread, purchased daily on mylong walk from the hospital, furnished me with supper and breakfast; andon that diet, with a few apples for lunch, I managed to walk eight ornine miles a day, besides being a good deal on foot while attending thepractice of the hospital and the medical school. 

One incident that occurred just about this time I must refer to. Thehusband of my former landlady in Hull was chief officer of a ship thatsailed from London, and by receiving his half-pay monthly and remittingit to her I was able to save her the cost of a commission. This I hadbeen doing for several months, when she wrote requesting that I wouldobtain the next payment as early as possible, as her rent was almostdue, and she depended upon that sum to meet it. The request came at aninconvenient time. I was working hard for an examination in the hope ofobtaining a scholarship which would be of service to me, and felt that Icould ill afford the time to go during the busiest part of the day tothe city and procure the money. I had, however, sufficient of my own inhand to enable me to send the required sum. I made the remittancetherefore, purposing, as soon as the examination was over, to go anddraw 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 anopportunity of going at once to the office, which was situated in astreet on Cheapside, and applying for the due amount. To my surprise anddismay the cleric told me that he could not pay it, as the officer inquestion had run away from his ship and gone to the gold diggings. "Well, " I remarked, "that is very inconvenient for me, as I have alreadyadvanced the money, and I know his wife will have no means of repayingit. " The clerk said he was sorry, but could of course only act accordingto orders; so there was no help for me in that direction. A little moretime and thought, however, brought the comforting conclusion to my mind, that as I was depending on the LORD for everything, and His means werenot limited, it was a small matter to be brought a little sooner orlater into the position of needing fresh supplies from Him; and so thejoy and the peace were not long interfered with. 

Very soon after this, possibly the same evening, while sewing togethersome sheets of paper on which to take notes of the lectures, Iaccidentally pricked the first finger of my right hand, and in a fewmoments forgot all about it. The next day at the hospital I continueddissecting as before. The body was that of a person who had died offever, and was more than usually disagreeable and dangerous. I needscarcely say that those of us who were at work upon it dissected withspecial care, knowing that the slightest scratch might cost us ourlives. Before the morning was far advanced I began to feel very weary, and while going through the surgical wards at noon was obliged to runout, being suddenly very sick--a most unusual circumstance with me, as Itook but little food and nothing that could disagree with me. Afterfeeling faint for some time, a draught of cold water revived me, and Iwas able to rejoin the students. I became more and more unwell, however, and ere the afternoon lecture on surgery was over found it impossible tohold the pencil and continue taking notes. By the time the next lecturewas through, my whole arm and right side were full of severe pain, and Iwas both looking and feeling very ill. 

Finding that I could not resume work, I went into the dissecting-room tobind up the portion I was engaged upon and put away my apparatus, andsaid to the demonstrator, who was a very skilful surgeon, "I cannotthink what has come over me, " describing the symptoms. "Why, " said he, "what has happened is clear enough: you must have cut yourself indissecting, and you know that this is a case of malignant fever. " Iassured him that I had been most careful, and was quite certain that Ihad no cut or scratch. "Well, " he replied, "you certainly must have hadone;" 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 nightbefore, 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 thiswas probably the cause of the trouble, and he advised me to get ahansom, 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; butvery soon came the feeling, "Unless I am greatly mistaken, I have workto do in China, and shall not die. " I was glad, however, to take theopportunity of speaking to my medical friend, who was a confirmedsceptic as to things spiritual, of the joy that the prospect of perhapssoon being with my MASTER gave me; telling him at the same time that Idid not think I should die, as, unless I were much mistaken, I had workto do in China; and if so, however severe the struggle, I must bebrought through. "That is all very well, " he answered, "but you get ahansom and drive home as fast as you can. You have no time to lose, foryou will soon be incapable of winding up your affairs. "

I smiled a little at the idea of my driving home in a hansom, for bythis time my means were too exhausted to allow of such a proceeding, andI set out to walk the distance if possible. Before long, however, mystrength gave way, and I felt it was no use to attempt to reach home bywalking. Availing myself of an omnibus from Whitechapel Church toFarringdon Street, and another from Farringdon Street onwards, Ireached, in great suffering, the neighbourhood of Soho Square, behindwhich I lived. On going into the house I got some hot water from theservant, and charging her very earnestly--literally as a dying man--toaccept eternal life as the gift of GOD through JESUS CHRIST, I bathed myhead and lanced the finger, hoping to let out some of the poisonedblood. The pain was very severe; I fainted away, and was for some timeunconscious, so long that when I came to myself I found that I had beencarried to bed. 

An uncle of mine who lived near at hand had come in, and sent for hisown medical man, an assistant surgeon at the Westminster Hospital. Iassured my uncle that medical help would be of no service to me, andthat I did not wish to go to the expense involved. He, however, quietedme on this score, saying that he had sent for his own doctor, and thatthe bill would be charged to himself. When the surgeon came and learnedall 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 thatsort of thing, there is no manner of chance for you. " I thought that ifsober living was to do anything, few could have a better chance, aslittle but bread and water had been my diet for a good while past. Itold 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 apretty hard struggle. " And he ordered me a bottle of port wine everyday, 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 wasneeded. 

I was much concerned, notwithstanding the agony I suffered, that my dearparents should not be made acquainted with my state. Thought and prayerhad satisfied me that I was not going to die, but that there was indeeda work for me to do in China. If my dear parents should come up and findme in that condition, I must lose the opportunity of seeing how GOD wasgoing 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 cousinnot to write to my parents, but to leave me to communicate with themmyself. I felt it was a very distinct answer to prayer when they gave methis promise, and I took care to defer all communication with themmyself until the crisis was past and the worst of the attack over. Athome they knew that I was working hard for an examination, and did notwonder at my silence. 

Days and nights of suffering passed slowly by; but at length, afterseveral weeks, I was sufficiently restored to leave my room; and then Ilearned that two men, though not from the London Hospital, who had haddissection wounds at the same time as myself, had both succumbed, whileI was spared in answer to prayer to work for GOD in China. 

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CHAPTER VI

STRENGTHENED BY FAITH

ONE day the doctor coming in found me on the sofa, and was surprised tolearn that with assistance I had walked downstairs. "Now, " he said, "thebest thing you can go is to get off to the country as soon as you feelequal to the journey. You must rusticate until you have recovered a fairamount of health and strength, for if you begin your work too soon theconsequences may still be serious. " When he had left, as I lay veryexhausted on the sofa, I just told the LORD all about it, and that I wasrefraining from making my circumstances known to those who would delightto meet my need, in order that my faith might be strengthened byreceiving 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 goagain to the shipping office, and inquire about the wages I had beenunable to draw. I reminded the LORD that I could not afford to take aconveyance, and that it did not seem at all likely that I should succeedin getting the money, and asked whether this impulse was not a mereclutching at a straw, some mental process of my own, rather than Hisguidance and teaching. After prayer, however, and renewed waiting uponGOD, I was confirmed in my belief that He Himself was teaching me to goto the office. 

The next question was, "How am I to go?" I had had to seek help incoming downstairs, and the place was at least two miles away. Theassurance was brought vividly home to me that whatever I asked of GOD inthe name of CHRIST would be done, that the FATHER might be glorified inthe 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 toldthe LORD that I was quite willing to take the walk if He would give methe strength. I asked in the name of CHRIST that the strength might beimmediately given; and sending the servant up to my room for my hat andstick, I set out, not to _attempt_ to walk, but TO WALK to Cheapside. 

Although undoubtedly strengthened by faith, I never took so muchinterest in shop windows as I did upon that journey. At every second orthird step I was glad to lean a little against the plate glass, and taketime to examine the contents of the windows before passing on. It neededa special effort of faith when I got to the bottom of Farringdon Streetto attempt the toilsome ascent of Snow Hill: there was no HolbornViaduct in those days, and it had to be done. GOD did wonderfully helpme, and in due time I reached Cheapside, turned into the by-street inwhich the office was found, and sat down much exhausted on the stepsleading to the first floor, which was my destination. I felt my positionto be a little peculiar--sitting there on the steps, so evidentlyspent--and the gentlemen who rushed up and downstairs looked at me withan inquiring gaze. After a little rest, however, and a further season ofprayer, I succeeded in climbing the staircase, and to my comfort foundin the office the clerk with whom I had hitherto dealt in the matter. Seeing me looking pale and exhausted, he kindly inquired as to myhealth, and I told him that I had had a serious illness, and was orderedto the country, but thought it well to call first, and make furtherinquiry, lest there should have been any mistake about the mate havingrun off to the gold diggings. "Oh, " he said, "I am so glad you havecome, for it turns out that it was an able seaman of the same name thatran away. The mate is still on board; the ship has just reachedGravesend, and will be up very soon. I shall be glad to give you thehalf-pay up to date, for doubtless it will reach his wife more safelythrough you. We all know what temptations beset the men when they arriveat home after a voyage. "

Before, however, giving me the sum of money, he insisted upon my cominginside and sharing his lunch. I felt it was the LORD indeed who wasproviding for me, and accepted his offer with thankfulness. When I wasrefreshed and rested, he gave me a sheet of paper to write a few linesto the wife, telling her of the circumstances. On my way back I procuredin Cheapside a money order for the balance due to her, and posted it;and returning home again, felt myself now quite justified in taking anomnibus as far as it would serve me. 

Very much better the next morning, after seeing to some little mattersthat I had to settle, I made my way to the surgery of the doctor who hadattended me, feeling that, although my uncle was prepared to pay thebill, it was right for me, now that I had some money in hand, to ask forthe account myself. The kind surgeon refused to allow me, as a medicalstudent, to pay anything for his attendance: but he had supplied me withquinine, which he allowed me to pay for to the extent of eightshillings. When that was settled, I saw that the sum left was justsufficient to take me home; and to my mind the whole thing seemed awonderful interposition of GOD on my behalf. 

I knew that the surgeon was sceptical, and told him that I should verymuch like to speak to him freely, if I might do so without offence; thatI felt that under GOD I owed my life to his kind care, and wished veryearnestly that he himself might become a partaker of the same preciousfaith that I possessed. So I told him my reason for being in London, andabout my circumstances, and why I had declined the help of both myfather and the officers of the Society in connection with which it wasprobable that I should go to China. I told him of the recentprovidential dealings of GOD with me, and how apparently hopeless myposition had been the day before, when he had ordered me to go to thecountry, unless I would reveal my need, which I had determined not todo. I described to him the mental exercises I had gone through; but whenI added that I had actually got up from the sofa and walked toCheapside, he looked at me incredulously, and "Impossible! Why, I leftyou lying there more like a ghost than a man. " And I had to assure himagain and again that, strengthened by faith, the walk had really beentaken. I told him also what money was left to me, and what paymentsthere had been to make, and showed him that just sufficient remained totake me home to Yorkshire, providing for needful refreshment by the wayand the omnibus journey at the end. 

My kind friend was completely broken down, and said with tears in hiseyes, "I would give all the world for a faith like yours. " I, on theother hand, had the joy of telling him that it was to be obtainedwithout money and without price. We never met again. When I came back totown, restored to health and strength, I found that he had had astroke, and left for the country; and I subsequently learned that henever rallied. I was able to gain no information as to his state of mindwhen taken away; but I have always felt very thankful that I had theopportunity, and embraced it, of bearing that testimony for GOD. Icannot but entertain the hope that the MASTER Himself was speaking tohim through His dealings with me, and that I shall meet him again in theBetter Land. It would be no small joy to be welcomed by him, when my ownservice is over. 

The next day found me in my dear parents' home. My joy in the LORD'shelp and deliverance was so great that I was unable to keep it tomyself, and before my return to London my dear mother knew the secret ofmy life for some time past. I need scarcely say that when I went upagain to town I was not allowed to live--as, indeed, I was not fit tolive--on the same economical lines as before my illness. I needed morenow, and the LORD did provide. 

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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 relievedby happy Sundays of fellowship with Christian friends, especially inLondon or Tottenham. Opportunities for service are to be found in everysphere, and mine was no exception. I shall only mention one case nowthat gave me great encouragement in seeking conversion even when itseemed apparently hopeless. 

GOD had given me the joy of winning souls before, but not insurroundings of such special difficulty. With GOD all things arepossible, and no conversion ever takes place save by the almighty powerof the HOLY GHOST. The great need, therefore, of every Christian workeris to _know_ GOD. Indeed, this is the purpose for which He has given useternal 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, whomThou hast sent. " I was now to prove the willingness of GOD to answerprayer for spiritual blessing under most unpromising circumstances, andthus to gain an increased acquaintance with the prayer-answering GOD asOne "mighty to save. "

A short time before leaving for China, it became my duty daily to dressthe foot of a patient suffering from senile gangrene. The diseasecommenced, as usual, insidiously, and the patient had little idea thathe was a doomed man, and probably had not long to live. I was not thefirst to attend to him, but when the case was transferred to me, Inaturally became very anxious about his soul. The family with whom helived were Christians, and from them I learned that he was an avowedatheist, and very antagonistic to anything religious. They had, withoutasking his consent, invited a Scripture reader to visit him, but ingreat passion he had ordered him from the room. The vicar of thedistrict had also called, hoping to help him; but he had spit in hisface, and refused to allow him to speak to him. His passionate temperwas described to me as very violent, and altogether the case seemed tobe as hopeless as could well be imagined. 

Upon first commencing to attend him I prayed much about it; but for twoor three days said nothing to him of a religious nature. By special carein dressing his diseased limb I was able considerably to lessen hissufferings, and he soon began to manifest grateful appreciation of myservices. One day, with a trembling heart, I took advantage of his warmacknowledgments to tell him what was the spring of my action, and tospeak 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 hekept his lips closed. He turned over in bed with his back to me, anduttered no word. 

I could not get the poor man out of my mind, and very often through eachday I pleaded with GOD, by His SPIRIT, to save him ere He took himhence. After dressing the wound and relieving his pain, I never failedto say a few words to him, which I hoped the LORD would bless. Healways turned his back to me, looking annoyed, but never spoke a word inreply. 

After continuing this for some time, my heart sank. It seemed to me thatI was not only doing no good, but perhaps really hardening him andincreasing his guilt. One day, after dressing his limb and washing myhands, instead of returning to the bedside to speak to him, I went tothe door, and stood hesitating for a few moments with the thought in mymind, "Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone. " I looked at theman and saw his surprise, as it was the first time since speaking to himthat I had attempted to leave without going up to his bedside to say afew 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 orwhether you will forbear, I _must_ deliver _my_ soul, " and went on tospeak very earnestly to him, telling him with many tears how much Iwished that he would let me pray with him. To my unspeakable joy he didnot turn away, but replied, "If it will be a relief to you, do. " I needscarcely say that I fell on my knees and poured out my whole soul to GODon his behalf. I believe the LORD then and there wrought a change in hissoul. 

He was never afterwards unwilling to be spoken to and prayed with, andwithin a few days he definitely accepted CHRIST as his SAVIOUR. Oh thejoy it was to me to see that dear man rejoicing in hope of the glory ofGOD! He told me that for forty years he had never darkened the door ofchurch or chapel, and that then--forty years ago--he had only entered aplace of worship to be married, and could not be persuaded to go insidewhen his wife was buried. Now, thank GOD, his sin-stained soul, I hadevery reason to believe, was washed, was sanctified, was justified, inthe Name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and in the SPIRIT of our GOD. Oftentimes, when in my early work in China circumstances rendered mealmost hopeless of success, I have thought of this man's conversion, andhave been encouraged to persevere in speaking the Word, whether menwould hear or whether they would forbear. 

The now happy sufferer lived for some time after this change, and wasnever tired of bearing testimony to the grace of GOD. Though hiscondition was most distressing, the alteration in his character andbehaviour made the previously painful duty of attending him one of realpleasure. I have often thought since, in connection with this case andthe work of GOD generally, of the words, "He that goeth forth _weeping_, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringinghis sheaves with him. " Perhaps if there were more of that intensedistress for souls that leads to tears, we should more frequently seethe results we desire. Sometimes it may be that while we are complainingof the hardness of the hearts of those we are seeking to benefit, thehardness of our own hearts, and our own feeble apprehension of thesolemn reality of eternal things, may be the true cause of our want ofsuccess. 

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CHAPTER VIII

VOYAGE TO CHINA

SOON after this the time so long looked forward to arrived--the timethat I was to leave England for China. After being set apart with manyprayers for the ministry of GOD's Word among the heathen Chinese I leftLondon for Liverpool; and on the 19th of September 1853 a little servicewas held in the stern cabin of the _Dumfries_, which had been securedfor me by the Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society, underwhose 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 littlecabin that was to be my home for nearly six long months. With a mother'sloving hand she smoothed the little bed. She sat by my side, and joinedme in the last hymn that we should sing together before the longparting. We knelt down, and she prayed--the last mother's prayer I wasto hear before starting for China. Then notice was given that we mustseparate, and we had to say good-bye, never expecting to meet on earthagain. 

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 wepassed through the gates, and the separation really commenced, I shallnever forget the cry of anguish wrung from that mother's heart. It wentthrough 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 motherlearned more of the love of GOD to the perishing in that hour than inall her life before. 

Oh, how it must grieve the heart of GOD when He sees His childrenindifferent to the needs of that wide world for which His beloved, Hisonly 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 exceedingjoys, the wondrous revelations of His mercies, vouchsafed to those whofollow Him, and emptying themselves, leave all in obedience to His greatcommission. 

It was on 19th September 1853 that the _Dumfries_ sailed for China; andnot until 1st March, in the spring of the following year, did I arrivein Shanghai. 

Our voyage had a rough beginning, but many had promised to remember usin constant prayer. No small comfort was this; for we had scarcely leftthe Mersey when a violent equinoctial gale caught us, and for twelvedays we were beating backwards and forwards in the Irish Channel, unableto get out to sea. The gale steadily increased, and after almost a weekwe lay to for a time; but drifting on a lee coast, we were compelledagain to make sail, and endeavoured to beat on to windward. The utmostefforts of the captain and crew, however, were unavailing; and Sundaynight, 25th September, found us drifting into Carnarvon Bay, each tackbecoming shorter, until at last we were within a stone's-throw of therocks. About this time, as the ship, which had refused to stay, was putround in the other direction, the Christian captain said to me, "Wecannot live half an hour now: what of your call to labour for the LORDin China?" I had previously passed through a time of much conflict, butthat was over, and it was a great joy to feel and to tell him that Iwould not for any consideration be in any other position; that Istrongly expected to reach China; but that, if otherwise, at any ratethe Master would say it was well that I was found seeking to obey Hiscommand. 

Within a few minutes after wearing ship the captain walked, up to thecompass, and said to me, "The wind has freed two points; we shall beable to beat out of the bay. " And so we did. The bowsprit was sprung andthe vessel seriously strained; but in a few days we got out to sea, andthe necessary repairs were so thoroughly effected on board that ourjourney to China was in due time satisfactorily accomplished. 

One thing was a great trouble to me that night. I was a very youngbeliever, and had not sufficient faith in GOD to see Him in and throughthe use of means. I had felt it a duty to comply with the earnest wishof my beloved and honoured mother, and for her sake to procure aswimming-belt. But in my own soul I felt as if I could not simply trustin GOD while I had this swimming-belt; and my heart had no rest until onthat 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 thingstogether, likely to float at the time we struck, without any thought ofinconsistency or scruple. Ever since, I have seen clearly the mistake Imade--a mistake that is very common in these days, when erroneousteaching on faith-healing does much harm, misleading some as to thepurposes of GOD, shaking the faith of others, and distressing the mindsof many. The use of means ought not to lessen our faith in GOD; and ourfaith in GOD ought not to hinder our using whatever means He has givenus for the accomplishment of His own purposes. 

For years after this I always took a swimming-belt with me, and neverhad any trouble about it; for after the storm was over, the question wassettled for me, through the prayerful study of the Scriptures. GOD gaveme then to see my mistake, probably to deliver me from a great deal oftrouble on similar questions now so constantly raised. When in medicalor surgical charge of any case, I have never thought of neglecting toask GOD's guidance and blessing in the use of appropriate means, nor yetof omitting to give Him thanks for answered prayer and restored health. But to me it would appear as presumptuous and wrong to neglect the useof those measures which He Himself has put within our reach, as toneglect to take daily food, and suppose that life and health might bemaintained by prayer alone. 

The voyage was a very tedious one. We lost a good deal of time on theequator from calms; and when we finally reached the Eastern Archipelago, were again detained from the same cause. Usually a breeze would springup soon after sunset, and last until about dawn. The utmost use was madeof it, but during the day we lay still with flapping sails, oftendrifting back and losing a good deal of the advantage we had gainedduring the night. 

This happened notably on one occasion, when we were in dangerousproximity to the north of New Guinea. Saturday night had brought us to apoint some thirty miles off the land; but during the Sunday morningservice, which was held on deck, I could not fail to notice that thecaptain looked troubled, and frequently went over to the side of theship. When the service was ended, I learnt from him the cause--afour-knot current was carrying us rapidly towards some sunken reefs, andwe were already so near that it seemed improbable that we should getthrough the afternoon in safety. After dinner the long-boat was put out, and all hands endeavoured, without success, to turn the ship's head fromthe shore. As we drifted nearer we could plainly see the natives rushingabout the sands and lighting fires every here and there. The captain'shorn-book informed him that these people were cannibals, so that ourposition was not a little alarming. 

After standing together on the deck for some time in silence, thecaptain said to me, "Well, we have done everything that can be done; wecan 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 carpenterand our coloured steward, with the captain and myself); "let us eachretire to his own cabin, and in agreed prayer ask the LORD to give usimmediately a breeze. He can as easily send it now as at sunset. "

The captain complied with this proposal. I went and spoke to the othertwo men, and after prayer with the carpenter we all four retired to waitupon GOD. I had a good but very brief season in prayer, and then felt sosatisfied 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 orcorners of the mainsail, which had been drawn up in order to lessen theuseless flapping of the sail against the rigging. He answered, "Whatwould be the good of that?" I told him we had been asking a wind fromGOD, that it was coming immediately, and we were so near the reef bythis time that there was not a minute to lose. With a look ofincredulity and contempt, he said with an oath that he would rather seea wind than hear of it! But while he was speaking I watched his eye, andfollowed 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-pawor not, " I cried, "pray let down the mainsail, and let us have thebenefit!"

This he was not slow to do. In another minute the heavy tread of the menon the deck brought up the captain from his cabin to see what was thematter; and he saw that the breeze had indeed come. In a few minutes wewere 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 nowreckage that night. We were soon out of danger; and though the wind wassometimes unsteady, we did not altogether lose it until after passingthe Pelew Islands. 

Thus GOD encouraged me, ere landing on China's shores, to bring everyvariety of need to Him in prayer, and _to expect that He would honourthe Name_ of the LORD JESUS, and give the help which each emergencyrequired. 

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CHAPTER IX

EARLY MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES

ON landing in Shanghai on 1st March 1854, I found myself surrounded withdifficulties that were wholly unexpected. A band of rebels, known as the"Red Turbans, " had taken possession of the native city, against whichwas encamped an Imperial army of from forty to fifty thousand men, whowere a much greater source of discomfort and danger to the littleEuropean community than were the rebels themselves. Upon landing, I wastold that to live outside the Settlement was impossible, while withinthe foreign concession apartments were scarcely obtainable at any price. The dollar, now worth about three shillings, had risen to a value ofeight-and-ninepence, and the prospect for one with only a small incomeof English money was dark indeed. However, I had three letters ofintroduction, and counted on counsel and help, especially from one ofthose to whom I had been commended, whose friends I well knew and highlyvalued. Of course I sought him out at once, but only to learn that hehad been buried a month or two before, having died from fever during thetime of my voyage. 

Saddened by these tidings, I inquired for a missionary to whom anotherof my letters of introduction was addressed; but a furtherdisappointment awaited me--he had left for America. The third letterremained; but as it had been given by a comparative stranger, I hadexpected less from it than from the other two. It proved, however, to beGOD's channel of help. The Rev. Dr. Medhurst, of the London Mission, towhom it was addressed, introduced me to Dr. Lockhart, who kindly allowedme to live with him for six months. Dr. Medhurst procured my firstChinese teacher; and he, Dr. Edkins, and the late Mr. Alexander Wyliegave me considerable help with the language. 

Those were indeed troublous times, and times of danger. Coming out ofthe city one day with Mr. Wylie, he entered into conversation with twocoolies, while we waited a little while at the East Gate for a companionwho was behind us. Before our companion came up an attack upon the cityfrom the batteries on the opposite side of the river commenced, whichcaused us to hurry away to a place of less danger, the whiz of the ballsbeing unpleasantly near. The coolies, unfortunately, stayed too long, and were wounded. On reaching the Settlement we stopped a few minutes tomake a purchase, and then proceeded at once to the London Missioncompound, where, at the door of the hospital, we found the two poorcoolies with whom Mr. Wylie had conversed, their four ankles terriblyshattered by a cannon ball. The poor fellows declined amputation, andboth died. We felt how narrow had been our escape. 

At another time, early in the morning, I had joined one of themissionaries on his verandah to watch the battle proceeding, at adistance of perhaps three-quarters of a mile, when suddenly a spent ballpassed between us and buried itself in the verandah wall. Another day myfriend Mr. Wylie left a book on the table after luncheon, and returningfor it about five minutes later, found the arm of the chair on which hehad been sitting shot clean away. But in the midst of these and manyother dangers GOD protected us. 

After six months' stay with Dr. Lockhart, I rented a native houseoutside the Settlement, and commenced a little missionary work amongstmy Chinese neighbours, which for a few months continued practicable. When the French joined the Imperialists in attacking the city, theposition of my house became so dangerous that during the last few weeks, in consequence of nightly recurring skirmishes, I gave up attempting tosleep except in the daytime. One night a fire appeared very near, and Iclimbed up to a little observatory I had arranged on the roof of thehouse, to see whether it was necessary to attempt escape. While there aball struck the ridge of the roof on the opposite side of thequadrangle, showering pieces of broken tile all around me, while theball itself rolled down into the court below. It weighed four or fivepounds; and had it come a few inches higher, would probably have spentits force on me instead of on the building. My dear mother kept the ballfor many years. Shortly after this I had to abandon the house and returnto the Foreign Settlement--a step that was taken none too soon, forbefore the last of my belongings were removed, the house was burnt tothe ground. 

Of the trials of this early period it is scarcely possible to convey anyadequate idea. To one of a sensitive nature, the horrors, atrocities, and misery connected with war were a terrible ordeal. The embarrassmentalso of the times was considerable. With an income of only eighty poundsa year, I was compelled, upon moving into the Settlement, to give onehundred and twenty for rent, and sublet half the house; and though theCommittee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society increased my incomewhen, after the arrival of Dr. Parker, they learned more of ourcircumstances, many painful experiences had necessarily been passedthrough. Few can realise how distressing to so young and untried aworker these difficulties seemed, or the intense loneliness of theposition of a pioneer who could not even hint at many of hiscircumstances, as to do so would have been a tacit appeal for help. 

The great enemy is always ready with his oft-repeated suggestion, "Allthese things are against me. " But oh, how false the word! The cold, andeven the hunger, the watchings and sleeplessness of nights of danger, and the feeling at times of utter isolation and helplessness, were welland wisely chosen, and tenderly and lovingly meted out. Whatcircumstances could have rendered the Word of GOD more sweet, thepresence of GOD more real, the help of GOD more precious? They weretimes, indeed, of emptying and humbling, but were experiences that madenot ashamed, and that strengthened purpose to go forward as GOD mightdirect, with His _proved_ promise, "I will not fail thee, nor forsakethee. " One can see, even now, that as for GOD, His way is perfect, andyet can rejoice that the missionary path of to-day is comparatively asmooth and an easy one. 

Journeying inland was contrary to treaty arrangements, and attended withmuch difficulty, especially for some time after the battle of MuddyFlat, in which an Anglo-American contingent of about three hundredmarines and seamen, with a volunteer corps of less than a hundredresidents, attacked the Imperial camp, and drove away from thirty tofifty thousand Chinese soldiers, the range of our shot and shell makingthe native artillery useless. Still, in the autumn of 1854 a journey ofperhaps a week's duration was safely accomplished with Dr. Edkins, whoof course did the speaking and preaching, while I was able to help inthe distribution of books. 

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CHAPTER X

FIRST EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS

A JOURNEY taken in the spring of 1855 with the Rev. J. S. Burden of theChurch Missionary Society (now the Bishop of Victoria, Hong-kong) wasattended with some serious dangers. 

In the great mouth of the river Yang-tse, distant some thirty miles tothe north of Shanghai, lies the group of islands of which Ts'ung-mingand Hai-men are the largest and most important; and farther up theriver, where the estuary narrows away from the sea, is situated theinfluential city of T'ung-chau, close to Lang-shan, or the WolfMountains, famous as a resort for pilgrim devotees. We spent some timein evangelising on those islands, and then proceeded to Lang-shan, wherewe preached and gave books to thousands of the devotees who wereattending 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 HeavenlyFATHER, and sought His Blessing before proceeding to this great city. The day was dull and wet. We felt persuaded that Satan would not allowus to assail his kingdom, as we were attempting to do, without raisingserious opposition; but we were also fully assured that it was the willof GOD that we should preach CHRIST in this city, and distribute theWord of Truth among its people. We were sorry that we had but few booksleft for such an important place: the result, however, proved that thisalso was providential. 

Our native teachers did their best to persuade us not to go into thecity; 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 didnot return, to learn whatever they could respecting our fate, and makeall possible haste to Shanghai with the information. We also arrangedthat the other boat should wait for us, even if we could not get backthat night, so that we might not be detained for want of a boat in caseof returning later. We then put our books into two bags, and with aservant who always accompanied us on these occasions, set off for thecity, distant about seven miles. Walking was out of the question, fromthe state of the roads, so we availed ourselves of wheel-barrows, theonly conveyance to be had in these parts. A wheel-barrow is cheaper thana sedan, only requiring one coolie; but is by no means an agreeableconveyance 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 nativesoldiery. Of course we at once consented, not wishing to involve anotherin trouble, and determined to carry the books ourselves, and look forphysical as well as spiritual strength to Him who had promised to supplyall our need. 

At this point a respectable man came up, and earnestly warned us againstproceeding, saying that if we did we should find to our sorrow what theT'ung-chau militia were like. We thanked him for his kindly counsel, butcould not act upon it, as our hearts were fixed, whether it were tobonds, imprisonment, and death, or whether to distribute our Scripturesand tracts in safety, and return unhurt, we knew not; but we weredetermined, by the grace of GOD, not to leave T'ung-chau any longerwithout the Gospel, nor its teeming thousands to die in uncared-forignorance of the Way of life. 

After this my wheel-barrow man would proceed no farther, and I had toseek 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 couldnot help feeling the danger of our position, although wavering not for amoment. At intervals we encouraged one another with promises from theScripture 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 verycomforting to me. 

On our way we passed through one small town of about a thousandinhabitants; and here, in the Mandarin dialect, I preached JESUS to agood number of people. Never was I so happy in speaking of the love ofGOD 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 unusualfreedom and ease. And how rejoiced I was when, afterwards, I heard oneof our hearers repeating to the newcomers, in his own local dialect, thetruths upon which I had been dwelling! Oh, how thankful I felt to hear aChinaman, of his own accord, telling his fellow-countrymen that GODloved them; that they were sinners, but that JESUS died instead ofthem, and paid the penalty of their guilt. That one moment repaid me forall the trials we had passed through; and I felt that if the LORD shouldgrant HIS HOLY SPIRIT to change the heart of that man, we had not comein vain. 

We distributed a few Testaments and tracts, for the people were able toread, and we could not leave them without the Gospel. It was well thatwe did so, for when we reached T'ung-chau we found we had quite as manyleft as we had strength to carry. 

Nearing the end of our journey, as we approached the western suburb ofthe city, the prayer of the early Christians, when persecution wascommencing, came to my mind: "And now, LORD, behold their threatenings, and grant unto Thy servants that with all boldness they may speak ThyWord. " In this petition we most heartily united. Before entering thesuburb we laid our plans, so as to act in concert, and told ourwheel-barrow men where to await us, that they might not be involved inany trouble on our account. Then looking up to our Heavenly FATHER, wecommitted ourselves to His keeping, took our books, and set on for thecity. 

For some distance we walked along the principal street of the suburbleading to the West Gate unmolested, and were amused at the unusualtitle of _Heh-kwei-tsi_ (black devils) which was applied to us. Wewondered about it at the time, but afterwards found that it was ourclothes, and not our skin, that gave rise to it. As we passed several ofthe soldiers, I remarked to Mr. Burdon that these were the men we hadheard so much about, and that they seemed willing to receive us quietlyenough. Long before we reached the gate, however, a tall powerful man, made tenfold fiercer by partial intoxication, let us know that all themilitia were not so peaceably inclined, by seizing Mr. Burdon by theshoulders. My companion endeavoured to shake him off. I turned to seewhat was the matter, and at once we were surrounded by a dozen or morebrutal 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 torelieve myself. I was soon in a profuse perspiration, and was scarcelyable to keep pace with them. We demanded to be taken before the chiefmagistrate, but were told that they knew where to take us, and what todo with such persons as we were, with the most insulting epithets. Theman who first seized Mr. Burdon soon afterwards left him for me, andbecame my principal tormentor; for I was neither so tall nor so strongas my friend, and was therefore less able to resist him. He all butknocked me down again and again, seized me by the hair, took hold of mycollar so as to almost choke me, and grasped my arms and shoulders, making them black and blue. Had this treatment continued much longer, Imust have fainted. All but exhausted, how refreshing was the remembranceof 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 fromsin! And this is the end of the worst that man's malice can ever bringupon us. 

As we were walking along Mr. Burdon tried to give away a few books thathe was carrying, not knowing whether we might have another opportunityof doing so; but the fearful rage of the soldier, and the way heinsisted on manacles being brought, which fortunately were not at hand, convinced us that in our present position we could do no good inattempting book-distribution. There was nothing to be done but quietlyto submit, and go along with our captors. 

Once or twice a quarrel arose as to how we should be dealt with; themore mild of our conductors saying that we ought to be taken to themagistrate's office, but others wishing to kill us at once withoutappeal to any authority. Our minds were kept in perfect peace; and whenthrown together on one of these occasions, we reminded each other thatthe Apostles rejoiced that they were counted _worthy_ to suffer in thecause of CHRIST. Having succeeded in getting my hand into my pocket, Iproduced a Chinese card (if the large red paper, bearing one's name, maybe so called), and after this was treated with more respect. I demandedit should be given to the chief official of the place, and that weshould be led to his office. Before this we had been unable, say what wewould, to persuade them that we were foreigners, although we were bothin English attire. 

Oh the long weary streets that we were dragged through! I thought theywould never end; and seldom have I felt more thankful than when westopped at a place where we were told a mandarin resided. Quiteexhausted, bathed in perspiration, and with my tongue cleaving to theroof of my mouth, I leaned against the wall, and saw that Mr. Burdon wasin much the same condition. I requested them to bring us chairs, butthey 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 hadgathered; and Mr. Burdon, collecting his remaining strength, preachedCHRIST JESUS to them. Our cards and books had been taken in to themandarin, but he proved to be one of low rank, and after keeping uswaiting for some time he referred us to his superiors in office. 

Upon hearing this, and finding that it was their purpose to turn us outagain into the crowded streets, we positively refused to move a singlestep, and insisted on chairs being brought. After some demur this wasdone; we seated ourselves in them, and were carried on. On the road wefelt so glad of the rest which the chairs afforded us, and so thankfulat having been able to preach JESUS in spite of Satan's malice, that ourjoy was depicted on our countenances; and as we passed along we heardsome say that we did not look like bad men, while others seemed to pityus. When we arrived at the magistrate's office, I wondered where we werebeing taken; for though we passed through some great gates that lookedlike those of the city wall, we were still evidently within the city. Asecond pair of gates suggested the idea that it was a prison into whichwe were being carried; but when we came in sight of a large tablet, withthe inscription "_Ming chï fu mu_" (the father and mother of thepeople), we felt that we had been conveyed to the right place; thisbeing the title assumed by the mandarins. 

Our cards were again sent in, and after a short delay we were taken intothe 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 consequentlyknew the importance of treating foreigners with courtesy. Coming beforehim, some of the people fell on their knees and bowed down to theground, and my conductor motioned for me to do the same, but withoutsuccess. This mandarin, who seemed to be the highest authority ofT'ung-chau, and wore an opaque blue button on his cap, came out to meetus, and treated us with every possible token of respect. He took us toan inner apartment, a more private room, but was followed by a largenumber of writers, runners, and other semi-officials. I related theobject of our visit, and begged permission to give him copies of ourbooks and tracts, for which he thanked me. As I handed him a copy of theNew Testament with part of the Old (from Genesis to Ruth) and sometracts, I tried to explain a little about them, and also to give him abrief summary of our teachings. . . . He listened very attentively, as ofcourse did all the others present. He then ordered some refreshments tobe brought in, which were very welcome, and himself partook of them withus. 

After a long stay, we asked permission to see something of the city, andto distribute the books we had brought, before our return. To this hekindly consented. We then mentioned that we had been mostdisrespectfully treated as we came in, but that we did not attach muchimportance to the fact, being aware that the soldiers knew no better. Not desiring, however, to have such an experience repeated, we requestedhim to give orders that we were not to be further molested. This also hepromised to do, and with every possible token of respect accompanied usto the door of his official residence, sending several runners to seethat we were respectfully treated. We distributed our books well andquickly, and left the city quite in state. It was amusing to us to seethe way in which the runners made use of their tails. When the streetwas blocked by the crowd, they turned them into whips, and laid themabout the people's shoulders to right and left!

We had a little trouble in finding our wheel-barrows; but eventuallysucceeding, we paid off the chair coolies, mounted our humble vehicles, and returned to the river, accompanied for fully half the distance by anattendant from the magistrate's office. Early in the evening we got backto the boats in safety, sincerely thankful to our Heavenly FATHER forHis gracious protection and aid. 

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CHAPTER XI

WITH THE REV. WILLIAM BURNS

AFTER the retaking of Shanghai by the Imperialists, in February 1855, Iwas enabled to rent a house within the walls of the native city, andgladly availed myself of this opportunity to reside amidst the crowdedpopulation left to inhabit the ruins that had survived the war. Here Imade my headquarters, though often absent on more or less prolongeditinerations. 

At the suggestion of the Rev. Dr. Medhurst, the veteran leader of theLondon Mission, I was led at about this period to adopt the nativecostume in preference to foreign dress, to facilitate travel andresidence inland. The Chinese had permitted a foreign firm to build asilk factory some distance inland, with the proviso that the style ofbuilding must be purely Chinese, and that there should be nothingexternal to suggest that it was foreign. Much benefit was found toresult from this change of costume; and I, and most of those associatedwith me, have continued to use native dress. 

The T'ai-p'ing rebellion, commenced in 1851, had by this time reachedthe height of its ephemeral success. The great city of Nan-king hadfallen before the invading host; and there, within two hundred miles ofShanghai, the rebels had established their headquarters, and proceededto fortify themselves for further conquests. During the summer of 1855various attempts were made to visit the leaders of the movement, inorder to bring to bear some decidedly Christian influence upon them; butso little success was met with, that these efforts were abandoned. 

I, amongst others, had sought to reach Nan-king; but finding itimpossible to do so, turned my attention again to evangelistic work onthe island of Ts'ung-ming. After some time I was enabled so far toovercome the prejudice and fears of the people as to rent a little houseand settle down in their midst. This was a great joy and encouragementto me; but before many weeks were over complaints were made by the localauthorities to the British Consul, who compelled me to retire; thoughthe French Consul had himself secured to the Romish missionaries aproperty within three or four miles of the house I had to vacate. Sorelytried and disappointed by this unexpected hindrance, I reluctantlyreturned to Shanghai, little dreaming of the blessing that GOD had instore for me there. 

A few months previously the Rev. William Burns, of the EnglishPresbyterian Mission, had arrived in that port on his return journeyfrom home; and before proceeding to his former sphere of service in thesouthern province of FU-KIEN, he had endeavoured, like myself, withoutsuccess, to visit the T'ai-p'ing rebels at Nan-king. Failing in thisattempt, he made his headquarters in Shanghai for a season, devotinghimself to the evangelisation of the surrounding populous regions. Thusin the autumn of the year I was providentially led into association withthis beloved and honoured servant of GOD. 

We journeyed together, evangelising cities and towns in southernKIANG-SU and north CHEH-KIANG, living in our boats, and following thecourse of the canals and rivers which here spread like a network overthe whole face of the rich and fertile country. Mr. Burns at that timewas wearing English dress; but saw that while I was the younger and inevery way less experienced, I had the quiet hearers, while he wasfollowed by the rude boys, and by the curious but careless; that I wasinvited to the homes of the people, while he received an apology thatthe crowd that would follow precluded his being invited. After someweeks of observation he also adopted the native dress, and enjoyed theincreased facilities which it gave. 

Those happy months were an unspeakable joy and privilege to me. His lovefor the Word was delightful, and his holy, reverential life and constantcommunings with GOD made fellowship with him satisfying to the deepcravings of my heart. His accounts of revival work and of persecutionsin Canada, and Dublin, and in Southern China were most instructive, aswell as interesting; for with true spiritual insight he often pointedout GOD's purposes in trial in a way that made all life assume quite anew aspect and value. His views especially about evangelism as the greatwork of the Church, and the order of lay evangelists as a lost orderthat Scripture required to be restored, were seed-thoughts which were toprove fruitful in the subsequent organisation of the China InlandMission. 

Externally, however, our path was not always a smooth one; but whenpermitted to stay for any length of time in town or city, theopportunity was well utilised. We were in the habit of leaving ourboats, after prayer for blessing, at about nine o'clock in the morning, with a light bamboo stool in hand. Selecting a suitable station, onewould mount the stool and speak for twenty minutes, while the other waspleading for blessing; and then changing places, the voice of the firstspeaker had a rest. After an hour or two thus occupied, we would move onto 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 andfurther 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 believethat much truth had been grasped; and we placed many Scriptures andbooks in the hands of those interested. The following letter was writtenby 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 toShanghai more speedily than we had at first intended, took place on thenorthern border of CHEH-KIANG. We had reached a busy market town knownby the name of Wu-chen, or Black Town, the inhabitants of which, we hadbeen told, were the wildest and most lawless people in that part of thecountry. Such indeed we found them to be: the town was a refuge for saltsmugglers and other bad characters. The following extracts are takenfrom my journal, written at the time:--

 _January 8th, 1856. _

Commenced our work in Wu-chen this morning by distributing a largenumber of tracts and some Testaments. The people seemed much surprised, and we could not learn that any foreigner had been here before. Wepreached twice--once in the temple of the God of War, and afterwards inan empty space left by a fire, which had completely destroyed manyhouses. In the afternoon we preached again to a large and attentiveaudience 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 abroadthat we were there, when, too many people coming in, we were obliged toleave. Our native assistants, Tsien and Kuei-hua, were able, however, toremain. Returning to our boats, we spoke to a number of people standingon a bridge, and felt we had abundant reason to be thankful andencouraged by the result of our first day's labour. 

 _January 10th. _

First sent Tsien and Kuei-hua to distribute some sheet tracts. Aftertheir return we went with them, and in a space cleared by fire weseparated, and addressed two audiences. On our return to the boats forlunch, we found people waiting, as usual, and desiring books. Some weredistributed to those who were able to read them; and then asking themkindly to excuse us while we took our midday meal, I went into my boatand 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 foundfour or five men taking the large lumps of frozen earth turned up in afield close by--weighing, I should suppose, from seven to fourteenpounds each--and throwing them at the boat. Remonstrance was of noavail, and it was not long ere a considerable part of the upperstructure of the boat was broken to pieces, and a quantity of earthcovered the things inside. Finally, Tsien got a boat that was passing toland him at a short distance, and by a few tracts drew away theattention of the men, thus ending the assault. 

We now learned that of those who had done the mischief only two werenatives of the place, the others being salt smugglers, and that thecause was our not having satisfied their unreasonable demand for books. Most providentially no one was injured; and as soon as quiet wassomewhat restored, we all met in Mr. Burns's boat and joined inthanksgiving that we had been preserved from personal harm, praying alsofor the perpetrators of the mischief, and that it might be over-ruledfor good to us and to those with us. We then took our lunch and went onshore, and but a few steps from the boats addressed a large multitudethat soon assembled. We were specially assisted; never were we heardwith more attention, and not one voice was found to sympathise with themen who had molested us. In the evening, at the tea-shops, the samespirit was manifested, and some seemed to hear with joy the glad tidingsof salvation through a crucified and risen SAVIOUR. 

As we came home we passed a barber's shop still open, and I went in, andwhile getting my head shaved had an opportunity of speaking to a fewpeople, and afterwards pasted a couple of sheet tracts on the wall forthe benefit of future customers. 

 _January 11th. _

A respectable shop-keeper of the name of Yao, who on the first or secondday of our stay at Wu-chen had received portions of the New Testamentand a tract, came yesterday, when our boat was broken, to beg for somemore 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 comeagain in a day or two's time, when we would gladly supply him. Thismorning he appeared and handed in the following note:--

"On a former day I begged Burns and Taylor, the two '_Rabbis_, ' to giveme good books. It happened at that time those of our town whose heartswere deceived by _Satan_, not knowing the _Son of David_, went so far asto dare to '_raca_' and '_moreh_' and injure your respected boat. Ithank you for promising afterwards to give the books, and beg thefollowing: Complete New Testament, 'Discourse of a Good Man when nearhis Death, ' 'Important Christian Doctrines, ' an Almanack, 'Principles ofChristianity, ' 'Way to make the World happy, '--of each one copy. Sungand Tsien, and all teachers I hope are well. Further compliments areunwritten. "

This note is interesting, as showing that he had been reading the NewTestament attentively, as the italicised words were all taken from it. His use of "raca" and "moreh" for reviling, shows their meaning was notlost upon him. 

After supplying this man, we went out with Tsien and Kuei-hua to theeast of the town, and spoke in the street for a short time. Uponreturning to the boats, I was visited by two CHIH-LI men, who are in themagistrate's office here. I was greatly helped in speaking to them of acrucified SAVIOUR in the Mandarin dialect; and though one of them didnot pay much attention, the other did, and made inquiries that showedthe interest he was feeling. When they had left, I went on shore andspoke to the people collected there, to whom Kuei-hua had beenpreaching. The setting sun afforded a parable, and reminded one of thewords of JESUS, "The night cometh, when no man can work;" and as I spokeof the uncertain duration of this life, and of our ignorance as to thetime of CHRIST'S return, a degree of deep seriousness prevailed that Ihad never previously witnessed in China. I engaged in prayer, and thegreatest decorum was observed. I then returned to my boat with aBuddhist priest who had been in the audience, and he admitted thatBuddhism 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 beingdistributed on each occasion. In the evening we went as usual to speakin 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 meetingwith us. It was a long straggling place, nearly two English miles inlength. 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 wentinstead to the usual tea-shop, thinking that persons might have gonethere expecting to meet us. But this was not the case; and we did notfind such serious hearers as we had done on previous occasions. On thisaccount 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, singularlyenough, were left to go alone, no one accompanying us, as is sogenerally the case. Instead of being a clear night, as it was when westarted, we found that it had become intensely dark. On our way we metthe boatman, whose manner seemed very strange, and without giving us anyexplanation he blew out the candle of our lantern; we relighted thelantern, telling him not to put it out again, when to our surprise hedeliberately removed the candle and threw it into the canal. He thenwalked down along a low wall jutting out to the river's edge, and gazedinto 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 hecame quietly back. In answer to our repeated questions he told us not tospeak, for some bad men were seeking to destroy the boats, and they hadmoved away to avoid them. He then led us to the place where one of themwas 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 movedaway. 

The cause of all this disturbance was then explained. A man professingto be the constable had come to the boats in our absence, with a writtendemand for ten dollars and a quantity of opium. He stated that therewere more than fifty country people (salt smugglers) awaiting our replyin an adjoining tea-shop; and if we gave them what they wanted, andthree hundred cash to pay for their tea, we might remain in peace; butthat if not, they would come at once and destroy our boats. Sung toldthem that we could not comply with their demand; for, not being engagedin trade, but only in preaching and book-distribution, we had not anatom 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 noalternative but to seek us out, desiring the man to await our reply. Notknowing that we had changed our plans, he sought us in the wrongdirection, and of course in vain. 

In the meanwhile the boatmen had succeeded in moving off. They were verymuch alarmed; and having so recently had proof of what these men woulddo in open daylight, felt no desire to experience what they mightattempt by night. Moving away, therefore, they had separated, so that ifone boat should be injured the other might afford us a refuge. It wasafter this that we had providentially met the boatman, and had beensafely led on board. As Sung repassed the place where we were previouslymoored, he saw between the trees a dozen or more men, and heard theminquiring 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. Itwas already late, and to travel by night in that part of the country wasnot the way to avoid danger from evil men; so the question arose as towhat should be done. This we left for the boatmen to decide; they hadmoved off of their own accord, and we felt that whatever we personallymight desire we could not constrain others to remain in a position ofdanger on our account. We urged them, however, to do quickly whateverthey intended to do, as the morrow was the LORD'S DAY, when we shouldnot wish to travel. We also informed them that wherever we were we mustfulfil our mission, and preach the Gospel; it therefore made but littledifference where we might stay, for even if we passed the nightunperceived, we were sure to be found out on the following morning. Themen consequently concluded that we might as well return to the placefrom which we had started; to this we fully agreed, and they turned backaccordingly. But--whether by accident or no we could not tell--they gotinto another stream, and rowed for some time they knew not whither. Atlast, as it was very dark, they moored for the night. 

We then called all the boatmen together, with our native assistants, andread to them the ninety-first Psalm. It may be imagined how appropriateto our position and need and how sweetly consoling was this portion ofGOD'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 coveredus with thick darkness and permitted us to escape from the hand of theviolent, we retired for the night; which--thanks to the kind protectionof the WATCHMAN OF ISRAEL, who neither slumbers nor forgets Hispeople--we passed in peace and quietness, and were enabled, in somemeasure, 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 theknee-joint. I had bruised it the day before, and severe inflammation wasthe result. To my great surprise I heard the rain pouring down intorrents, the weather having previously been particularly fine. Onlooking out, we found ourselves so near our former stopping-place, that, had nothing happened to prevent it, we should not have felt justified inneglecting to go into the town to preach as usual; but the rain was soheavy all day that no one could leave the boats. Thus we enjoyed adelightful day of rest, such as we had not had for some time; and theweather prevented much inquiry being made for us. Had the day been finewe should most likely have been discovered, even if we had not left theboats. As it was, we were allowed to think in peace, with wonder andgratitude, of the gracious dealings of our GOD, who had thus led usapart into "a desert place" to rest awhile. 

 _Monday, January 14th. _

A cloudless morning. One of the native assistants went before daybreakto get some clothes which had been given out for washing. He came backwith the tidings that, notwithstanding the drenching rain of yesterday, men had been seeking us in all directions. We had been kept, however, inpeace and safety "under the shadow of the Almighty. "

The boatmen were now so thoroughly alarmed that they would stay nolonger, and moved off at dawn. I was confined to my quarters bylameness, and had no alternative but to go with them. In the afternoonwe 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 areal disappointment to us, as we had hoped to spend some timeevangelising in that district. We were to prove, however, that nounforeseen mischance had happened, but that these circumstances whichseemed so trying were necessary links in the chain of a divinely orderedprovidence, 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 lessHis 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 withfresh supplies of books and money, we met a Christian captain who hadbeen trading at Swatow, and he put very strongly before us the need ofthat region, and the fact that there were British merchants living onDouble Island, selling opium and engaged in the coolie trade(practically a slave traffic), while there was no British missionary topreach the Gospel. The SPIRIT OF GOD impressed me with the feeling thatthis was His call, but for days I felt that I could not obey it. I hadnever had such a spiritual father as Mr. Burns; I had never known suchholy, happy fellowship; and I said to myself that it could not be GOD'Swill that we should separate. 

In great unrest of soul I went one evening, with Mr. Burns, to take teaat the house of the Rev. R. Lowrie, of the American PresbyterianMission, at the South Gate of Shanghai. After tea Mrs. Lowrie playedover to us "The Missionary Call. "[2] I had never heard it before, and itgreatly 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 housethat was still my headquarters in the native city, and there, with manytears, told him how the LORD had been leading me, and how rebellious Ihad been and unwilling to leave him for this new sphere of labour. Helistened with a strange look of surprise, and of pleasure rather thanpain; and answered that he had determined that very night to tell methat he had heard the LORD'S call to Swatow, and that his one regret hadbeen the prospect of the severance of our happy fellowship. We wenttogether; and thus was recommenced missionary work in that part ofChina, which in later years has been so abundantly blessed. 

Long before this time the Rev. R. Lechler, of the Basel MissionarySociety, had widely itinerated in the neighbourhood of Swatow and thesurrounding regions. Driven about from place to place, he had done workthat was not forgotten, although ultimately he was obliged to retire toHong-kong. For more than forty years this earnest-hearted servant of GODhas continued in "labours more abundant"; and quite recently he has leftHong-kong, with his devoted wife, to return again inland, and spend thestrength of his remaining years amongst the people he has so long andtruly loved. 

Captain Bowers, the Christian friend who had been used of GOD inbringing the needs of Swatow before Mr. Burns and myself, was overjoyedwhen he heard of our decision to devote ourselves to the evangelisationof that busy, important, and populous mart. Being about to sail himselfon 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 wefound ourselves landed in the midst of a small but very ungodlycommunity of foreigners, engaged in the opium trade and other commercialenterprises. Unwilling to be in any way identified with thesefellow-countrymen, we were most desirous of obtaining quarters at oncewithin the native city, situated on a promontory of the mainland, fivemiles farther up, at the mouth of the Han river. Great difficulty wasexperienced in this attempt to obtain a footing amongst the people. Indeed, it seemed as though we should fail altogether, and we werehelplessly cast upon the LORD in prayer. Our GOD soon undertook for us. Meeting one day with a Cantonese merchant, a relative of the highestofficial in the town, Mr. Burns addressed him in the Cantonese dialect;this gentleman was so pleased at being spoken to by a foreigner in hisown tongue that he became our friend, and secured us a lodging. We hadonly one little room, however, and not easily shall I forget the longhot summer months in that oven-like place, where towards the eaves onecould touch the heated tiles with one's hand. More room or betteraccommodation it was impossible to obtain. 

We varied our stay by visits to the surrounding country; but thedifficulties and dangers that encountered us here were so great andconstant, that our former work in the North began to appear safe andeasy in comparison. The hatred and contempt of the Cantonese was verypainful, "foreign devil, " "foreign dog, " or "foreign pig" being thecommonest appellations; but all this led us into deeper fellowship thanI 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 andheld to ransom; and the people commonly declared that the whole districtwas "without emperor, without ruler, and without law. " Certainly, mightwas right in those days. On one occasion we were visiting a small town, and found that the inhabitants had captured a wealthy man of anotherclan. A large ransom was demanded for his release, and on his refusingto pay it they had smashed his ankle-bones, one by one, with a club, andthus extorted the promise they desired. There was nothing but GOD'Sprotection to prevent our being treated in the same way. The towns wereall walled, and one such place would contain ten or twenty thousandpeople of the same clan and surname, who were frequently at war with thepeople living in the next town. To be kindly received in one place wasnot uncommonly a source of danger in the next. In circumstances such asthese the preserving care of our GOD was often manifested. 

After a time the local mandarin became ill, and the native doctors wereunable to relieve him. He had heard from some who had been under mytreatment of the benefit derived, and was led to seek our help. GODblessed the medicines given, and grateful for relief, he advised ourrenting a house for a hospital and dispensary. Having his permission, wewere able to secure the entire premises, one room of which we hadpreviously occupied. I had left my stock of medicine and surgicalinstruments under the care of my friend, the late Mr. Wylie, inShanghai, and went back at once to fetch them. 

Mr. Burns came down from a town called Am-po, that we had visitedtogether several times, to see me off, and returned again when I hadsailed, with two native evangelists sent up from Hong-kong by the Rev. J. Johnson, of the American Baptist Missionary Union. The people werewilling to listen to their preaching, and to accept their books as agift, but they would not buy them. One night robbers broke in andcarried off everything they had, with the exception of their stock ofliterature, which was supposed to be valueless. Next morning, veryearly, they were knocked up by persons wishing to buy books, and thesales continued; so that by breakfast time they had not only cash enoughto procure food, but to pay also for the passage of one of the men toDouble Island, below Swatow, with a letter to Mr. Burns's agent tosupply him with money. Purchasers continued coming during that day andthe next, and our friends lacked nothing; but on the third day theycould not sell a single book. Then, however, when the cash from theirsales was just exhausted, the messenger returned with supplies. 

It was early in July, after about four months' residence in Swatow, thatI left for Shanghai, intending to return in the course of a few weeks, bringing with me my medical apparatus, for further work in associationwith the Rev. William Burns. A new and promising field seemed to beopening before us, and it was with much hopeful anticipation that welooked forward to the future of the work. Marked blessing was indeed instore for the city and neighbourhood of Swatow; but it was not thepurpose 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 Chineseauthorities soon after I left, and was sent to Canton. And though hereturned to Swatow after the war had broken out, he was called away forother service, which prevented his subsequent return; while my journeyto Shanghai proved to be the first step in a diverging pathway leadingto 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 theprovidence of GOD, in preventing my return to Swatow, and ultimately ledto my settling in Ningpo, and making that the centre for the developmentof future labours. 

Upon reaching Shanghai, great was my dismay to find that the premises inwhich my medicines and instruments had been stored were burnt down, andthat all the medicines and many of the instruments were entirelydestroyed. To me this appeared a great calamity, and I fear I was moredisposed with faithless Jacob to say, "All these things are against me, "than to recognise that "All things work together for good. " I had notthen learned to think of GOD as the One Great Circumstance "in Whom welive, and move, and have our being"; and of _all_ lesser, externalcircumstances, as necessarily the kindest, wisest, best, because eitherordered or permitted by Him. Hence my disappointment and trial were verygreat. 

Medicines were expensive in Shanghai, and my means were limited. Itherefore set out on an inland journey to Ningpo, hoping to obtain asupply from Dr. William Parker, a member of the same mission as myself. I took with me my few remaining possessions, the principal being mywatch, a few surgical instruments, a concertina, books for the study ofChinese, which in those days were very expensive; but left behind inShanghai 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 verylow, having been largely drawn upon for the neighbouring rice fields, aswell as evaporated by the intense heat. I had determined to make thejourney as much of a mission tour as possible, and set out well suppliedwith Christian tracts and books. After fourteen days spent in travellingslowly through the populous country, preaching and distributing books, etc. , we reached a large town called Shih-mun-wan, and here, findingthat my supply of literature was exhausted, I determined not to lingerover the rest of the journey, but to reach Ningpo as speedily aspossible, _viâ_ the city of Hai-ning. 

 _August 4th, 1856. _

There was no water beyond Shih-mun-wan, so I paid off my boat, hiredcoolies to carry my things as far as to Chang-gan, and ere sunrise wewere on the way. I walked on alone, leaving my servant to follow withthe men, who made frequent stoppages to rest; and on reaching a citythrough which we had to pass, I waited for them in a tea-shop justoutside the North Gate. The coolies came on very slowly, and seemedtired 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 wouldthink nothing of taking three times the distance, they really seemedwearied. 

After some rice and tea and an hour's rest--including, I doubt not, asmoke of the opium pipe--they were a little refreshed, and I proposedmoving on, that we might get to Chang-gan before the sun became toopowerful. My servant, however, had a friend in the city, and he desiredto spend the day there, and to go on next morning. But to this Iobjected, wishing to reach Hai-ning that night if possible. . . . Wetherefore set off, entered the North Gate, and had passed through abouta third of the city, when the coolies stopped to rest, and said theyshould be unable to carry the burden on to Chang-gan. Finally, theyagreed to take it to the South Gate, where they were to be paid inproportion to the distance they had carried it; and the servantundertook to call other coolies and come along with them. 

I walked on before as in the first instance, and the distance being onlyabout 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 lengthit became too late to finish the journey to Hai-ning that night. I feltsomewhat annoyed; and but that my feet were blistered, and the afternoonvery hot, I should have gone back to meet them and urge them on. At lastI concluded that my servant must have gone to his friend's, and wouldnot appear until evening. But evening came, and still there was no signof them. 

Feeling very uneasy, I began diligently to inquire whether they had beenseen. At last a man responded, "Are you a guest from Shih-mun-wan?" Ianswered in the affirmative. "Are you going to Hai-ning?" "That is mydestination. " "Then your things have gone on before you; for I wassitting in a tea-shop when a coolie came in, took a cup of tea, and setoff for Hai-ning in a great hurry, saying that the bamboo box and bed hecarried, which were just such as you describe yours to have been, werefrom Shih-mun-wan, and he had to take them to Hai-ning to-night, wherehe was to be paid at the rate of ten cash a pound. " From this Iconcluded that my goods were on before me; but it was impossible tofollow them at once, for I was too tired to walk, and it was alreadydark. 

Under these circumstances all I could do was to seek a lodging for thenight; and no easy task I found it. After raising my heart to GOD to askHis aid, I walked through to the farther end of the town, where Ithought the tidings of a foreigner's being in the place might not havespread, 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. Askingthe bill of fare, I was told that cold rice--which proved to be morethan "rather burnt"--and snakes, fried in lamp-oil, were all that couldbe had. Not wishing any question to be raised as to my nationality, Iwas compelled to order some, and tried to make a meal, but with littlesuccess. 

While thus engaged I said to the landlord, "I suppose I can arrange tospend the night here?"

To which he replied in the affirmative; but bringing out his book, headded--

"In these unsettled times we are required by the authorities to keep arecord 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 writeit?"

I told him, and added, "It is a common name in the district from which Icome. "

"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 intenserelief 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 havea daughter afflicted with leprosy. If you will cure her, you shall haveyour supper and bed for nothing. "

I was curious enough to inquire what my supper and bed were to cost, ifpaid for; and to my amusement found they were worth less thanthree-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 nomedicines with me. 

The mother, however, brought pen and paper, urging, "You can at leastwrite 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 wasconducted to a very miserable room on the ground-floor, where, on someboards raised upon two stools, I passed the night, without bed orpillow, save my umbrella and shoe, and without any mosquito netting. Tenor eleven other lodgers were sleeping in the same room, so I could nottake anything off, for fear of its being stolen; but I was, I found, byno means too warm as midnight came on. 

 _August 5th. _

As may be supposed, I arose but little rested or refreshed, and feltvery far from well. I had to wait a long time ere breakfast wasobtainable, and then there was another delay before I could get changefor the only dollar I had with me, in consequence of its being chippedin one or two places. More than three hundred cash also were deductedfrom its price on this account, which was a serious loss to me in mytrying 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 havecome on in the morning. The town is large, long, and straggling, beingnearly two miles from one end to the other, so this occupied some time. I gained no information, however; and, footsore and weary, set out forHai-ning in the full heat of the day. The journey--about eightmiles--took me a long time; but a halfway village afforded aresting-place and a cup of tea, both of which I gladly availed myselfof. When about to leave again, a heavy shower of rain came on, and thedelay thus occasioned enabled me to speak a little to the people aboutthe truths of the Gospel. 

The afternoon was far spent before I approached the northern suburb ofHai-ning, where I commenced inquiries, but could hear no tidings of myservant or things. I was told that outside the East Gate I should bemore likely to hear of them, as it was there the sea-junks called. Itherefore proceeded thither, and sought for them outside the Little EastGate, but in vain. Very weary, I sat down in a tea-shop to rest; andwhile there a number of persons from one of the mandarin's offices camein, and made inquiries as to who I was, where I had come from, etc. Onlearning 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 hereabout half an hour ago. The bearer seemed to be going towards either theGreat East Gate or the South Gate; you had better go to the hongs thereand inquire. " I asked him to accompany me in the search, and promised toreward him for his trouble, but he would not. Another man offered to gowith me, so we set off together, and both inside and outside the twogates made diligent inquiries, but all in vain. I then engaged a man tomake a thorough search, promising him a liberal reward if he should besuccessful. In the meantime I had some dinner, and addressed a largeconcourse of people who had gathered together. 

When he returned, having met with no success, I said to him, "I am nowquite exhausted: will you help me to find quarters for the night, andthen 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 thepeople would not receive me; for though on our first going in theyseemed 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 alarmthem, and I was refused. We now went to a third place, and being nolonger followed by the mandarin's messenger, we were promised quarters;some tea was brought, and I paid the man who had accompanied me for histrouble. 

Soon after he was gone some official people came in; they soon wentaway, but the result of their visit was that I was told I could not beentertained there that night. A young man present blamed them for theirheartless behaviour, and said, "Never mind, come with me; and if wecannot get better lodgings for you, you shall sleep at our house. " Iwent with him, but we found the people of his house unwilling to receiveme. Weary and footsore, so that I could scarcely stand, I had again toseek quarters, and at length got promise of them; but a little crowdcollecting about the door, they desired me to go to a tea-shop and waitthere till the people had retired, or they would be unable toaccommodate me. There was no help for it, so I went, accompanied stillby the young man, and waited till past midnight. Then we left for thepromised resting-place; but my conductor would not find it, and he ledme about to another part of the city; and finally, between one and twoo'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 stonesteps 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 aperson coming stealthily towards me. As he approached I saw he was oneof the beggars so common in China, and had no doubt his intention was torob me of my money. I did not stir, but watched his movements, andlooked to my FATHER not to leave me in this hour of trial. The man cameup, looked at me for some time to assure himself that I was asleep (itwas so dark that he could not see my eyes fixed on him), and then beganto feel about me gently. I said to him in the quietest tone, but so asto convince him that I was not, nor had been, sleeping, "What do youwant?" He made no answer, but went away. 

I was very thankful to see him go, and when he was out of sight put asmuch of my cash as would not go into my pocket safely up my sleeve, andmade my pillow of a stone projection of the wall. It was not long ere Ibegan to doze, but I was aroused by the all but noiseless footsteps oftwo persons approaching; for my nervous system was rendered so sensitiveby exhaustion that the slightest noise startled me. Again I soughtprotection from Him who alone was my stay, and lay still as before, tillone of them came up and began to feel under my head for the cash. Ispoke again, and they sat down at my feet. I asked them what they weredoing; they replied that they, like me, were going to pass the nightthere. I then requested them to take the opposite side, as there wasplenty of room, and leave this side to me; but they would not move frommy 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 willbe 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 itnot; I am not a Chinese; I do not worship your senseless, helplessidols. I worship GOD; He is my FATHER; I trust in Him. I know well whatyou are, and what your intentions are, and shall keep my eye on you, andshall not sleep. "

On this, one of them went away, but soon returned with a thirdcompanion. I felt very uneasy, but looked to GOD for help. Once or twiceone of them got up to see if I was asleep. I only said, "Do not bemistaken; I am not sleeping. " Occasionally my head dropped, and this wasa signal for one of them to rise; but I at once roused myself and madesome remark. As the night slowly passed on, I felt very weary; and tokeep myself awake, as well as to cheer my mind, I sang several hymns, repeated aloud some portions of Scripture, and engaged in prayer inEnglish, to the great annoyance of my companions, who seemed as if theywould have given anything to get me to desist. After that they troubledme no more; and shortly before dawn of day they left me, and I got alittle sleep. 

 _August 6th. _

I was awakened by the young man who had so misled me on the previousevening. He was very rude, and insisted on my getting up and paying himfor his trouble, and even went so far as to try to accomplish by forcewhat he wanted. This roused me; and in an unguarded moment, with veryimproper feeling, I seized his arm with such a grasp as he littleexpected I was capable of, and dared him to lay a finger upon me againor to annoy me further. This quite changed his manner; he let me quietlyremain till the guns announced the opening of the gates of the city, andthen he begged me to give him some money to buy opium with. It isneedless 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. Ilearned he was connected with one of the mandarin's offices. 

As soon as possible, I bought some rice gruel and tea for breakfast, andthen once more made a personal search after my things. Some hours thusspent proving unavailing, I set out on the return journey, and after along, weary, and painful walk reached Chang-gan about noon. Here also myinquiries failed to give me any trace of the missing goods; so I had ameal cooked in a tea-shop, got a thorough wash and bathed my inflamedfeet, 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 Gateof which I had parted with my servant and coolies two days before. Onthe way I was led to reflect on the goodness of GOD, and recollectedthat I had not made it a matter of prayer that I might be provided withlodgings last night. I felt condemned, too, that I should have been soanxious for my few things, while the many precious souls around me hadcaused so little emotion. I came as a sinner and pleaded the blood ofJESUS, realising that I was accepted in Him--pardoned, cleansed, sanctified--and oh the love of JESUS, how great I felt it to be! I knewsomething more than I had ever previously known of what it was to bedespised and rejected, and to have nowhere to lay one's head; and I feltmore than ever I had done before the greatness of that love whichinduced Him to leave His home in glory and suffer thus for me; nay, tolay down His very life upon the Cross. I thought of Him as "despised andrejected of men, a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief"; I thoughtof Him at Jacob's well, weary, hungry, and thirsty, yet finding it Hismeat and drink to do His Father's will; and contrasted this with mylittleness of love. I looked to Him for pardon for the past, and forgrace and strength to do His will in the future, to tread more closelyin 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 ofmingled joy and sorrow flowed freely, the road was almost forgotten, andbefore I was aware of it I had reached my destination. Outside the SouthGate I took a cup of tea, asked about my lost luggage, and spoke of thelove of JESUS. Then I entered the city, and after many vain inquiriesleft it by the North Gate. 

I felt so much refreshed both in mind and body by the communion I had onmy walk to the city that I thought myself able to finish the remainingsix miles back to Shih-mun-wan that evening. First I went into anothertea-shop to buy some native cakes, and was making a meal of them whenwho should come in but one of the identical coolies who had carried mythings the first stage. From him I learned that after I left them theyhad 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 startat 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. Igot him to go with me to the house, and there learned that the man hadspent the day and night with them, and next morning had called othercoolies, 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 withall expedition, I left the city again. It was now too late to go on toShih-mun-wan. I looked to my FATHER as able to supply all my need, andreceived another token of His ceaseless love and care, being invited tosleep on a hong-boat, now dry in the bed of the river. The night wasagain very cold and the mosquitoes troublesome. Still, I got a littlerest, 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 thewonderful goodness of GOD in enabling me to bear the heat by day and thecold by night so long. I felt also that quite a load was now taken offmy mind. I had committed myself and my affairs to the LORD, and knewthat if it was for my good and for His glory my things would berestored; if not, all would be for the best. I hoped that the mosttrying part of my journey was now drawing to a close, and this helpedme, weary and footsore, on the way. When I got to Shih-mun-wan and hadbreakfasted, I found I had still eight hundred and ten cash in hand; andI knew that the hong-boat fare to Kia-hing Fu was one hundred and twentycash, and thence to Shanghai three hundred and sixty, leaving me justthree hundred and thirty cash--or twelve pence and a fraction--for threeor four days provisions. I went at once to the boat office, but to mydismay found that from the dry state of the river goods had not comedown, so that no boat would leave to-day and perhaps none to-morrow. Iinquired if there were no letter-boats for Kia-hing Fu, and was toldthat they had already left. The only remaining resource was to ascertainif any private boats were going in which I could get a passage. Mysearch, however, was in vain; and I could get no boat to undertake to goall 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, aletter-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 casewould carry me. For the time being weariness and sore feet were alikeforgotten. 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 andfainted away. 

As consciousness returned some voices reached my ear, and I found theywere talking about me. One said, "He speaks pure Shanghai dialect, " andfrom 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 thecanal, and after a few words they sent their small boat to fetch me, andI went on board the junk. They were very kind, and gave me some tea; andwhen I was refreshed and able to partake of it, some food also. I thentook my shoes and stockings off to ease my feet, and the boatman kindlyprovided me with hot water to bathe them. When they heard my story, andsaw the blisters on my feet, they evidently pitied me, and hailed everyboat that passed to see if it was going my way. Not finding one, by andby, after a few hours' sleep, I went ashore with the captain, intendingto preach in the temple of Kwan-ti. 

Before leaving the junk I told the captain and those on board that I wasnow unable to help myself; that I had not strength to walk to Kia-hingFu, and having been disappointed in getting a passage to-day, I shouldno longer have sufficient means to take me there by letter-boat, whichwas an expensive mode of travelling; that I knew not how the GOD whom Iserved would help me, but that I had no doubt He would do so; and thatmy business now was to serve Him where I was. I also told them that thehelp which I knew would come ought to be an evidence to them of thetruth of the religion which I and the other missionaries at Shanghaipreached. 

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; butI reminded him that I had no longer the means of paying my passage byit. He hailed it, nevertheless, and found that it was going to a placeabout nine English miles from Shanghai, whence one of the boatmen wouldcarry the mails overland to the city. He then said, "This gentleman is aforeigner from Shanghai, who has been robbed, and has no longer themeans of returning. If you will take him with you as far as you go, andthen engage a sedan chair to carry him the rest of the way, he will payyou in Shanghai. You see my boat is lying aground yonder for want ofwater, and cannot get away. Now, I will stand surety; and if thisgentleman does not pay when you get to Shanghai, I will do so on yourreturn. " This unsolicited kindness on the part of a Chinaman, a perfectstranger, will appear the more remarkable to any one acquainted with thecharacter of the Chinese, who are generally most reluctant to risk theirmoney. Those on the letter-boat agreeing to the terms, I was taken onboard as a passenger. Oh, how thankful I felt for this providentialinterposition, and to be once more on my way to Shanghai!

Letter-boats such as the one on which I was now travelling are of along narrow build, and very limited as to their inside accommodation. One has to lie down all the time they are in motion, as a slightmovement 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 thequickest boats I have seen in China. Each one is worked by two men, whorelieve one another continuously night and day. They row with theirfeet, and paddle with their hands; or if the wind is quite favourable, row with their feet, and with one hand manage a small sail, whilesteering with the other. 

After a pleasant and speedy journey, I reached Shanghai in safety onAugust 9th, through the help of Him who has said, "I will never leavethee, nor forsake thee;" "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end ofthe world. "

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CHAPTER XIV

PROVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE

IT now seemed very clear that the lost property--including everything Ipossessed in China, with the exception of a small sum of moneyprovidentially left in Shanghai--had been deliberately stolen by myservant, who had gone off with it to Hang-chau. The first question, ofcourse, was how best to act for the good of the man who had been thecause of so much trouble. It would not have been difficult to take stepsthat would have led to his punishment; though the likelihood of anyreparation being made for the loss sustained was very small. But theconsideration which weighed most heavily was that the thief was a manfor whose salvation I had laboured and prayed; and I felt that toprosecute him would not be to emphasise the teaching of the Sermon onthe Mount, in which we had read together, "Resist not evil, " and othersimilar precepts. Finally, concluding that his soul was of more valuethan 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 JESUSCHRIST. The course I took commended itself to my Christian friends inEngland, one of whom was afterwards led to send me a cheque for £40--thefirst of many subsequently received from the same kind helper. 

Having obtained the little money left in Shanghai, I again set out forNingpo, to seek assistance from Dr. Parker in replacing the medicines Ihad previously lost by fire. This being satisfactorily accomplished, Ireturned once more to Shanghai, _en route_ for Swatow, hoping soon torejoin my much-loved friend, Mr. Burns, in the work in that importantcentre. GOD had willed it otherwise, however; and the delay caused bythe robbery was just sufficient to prevent me from starting for theSouth 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) theaffair of the Lorcha _Arrow_ at Canton led to the definite commencementof hostilities. Very soon China was deeply involved in a secondprolonged struggle with foreign powers; and missionary operations, inthe South at any rate, had to be largely suspended. Tidings of theseevents, together with letters from Mr. Burns, arrived just in time tomeet me in Shanghai as I was leaving for Swatow; and thus hindered, Icould not but realise the hand of GOD in closing the door I had so muchdesired to enter. 

While in Ningpo, I had made the acquaintance of Mr. John Jones, who, with Dr. Parker, represented the Chinese Evangelisation Society in thatcity. Hindered from returning to Swatow, I now decided to join thesebrethren in the Ningpo work, and set out at once upon the journey. Onthe afternoon of the second day, when already about thirty miles distantfrom Shanghai, Mr. Jones and I drew near the large and important city ofSung-kiang, and I spoke of going ashore to preach the Gospel to thethronging multitudes that lined the banks and crowded the approaches tothe city gates. 

Among the passengers on board the boat was one intelligent man, who inthe course of his travels had been a good deal abroad, and had evenvisited England, where he went by the name of Peter. As might beexpected, he had heard something of the Gospel, but had neverexperienced its saving power. On the previous evening I had drawn himinto earnest converse about his soul's salvation. The man listened withattention, and was even moved to tears, but still no definite result wasapparent. I was pleased, therefore, when he asked to be allowed toaccompany me, and to hear me preach. 

I went into the cabin of the boat to prepare tracts and books fordistribution on landing with my Chinese friend, when suddenly I wasstartled by a splash and a cry from without. I sprang on deck, and tookin the situation at a glance. Peter was gone! The other men were allthere, on board, looking helplessly at the spot where he haddisappeared, but making no effort to save him. A strong wind wascarrying the junk rapidly forward in spite of a steady current in theopposite direction, and the low-lying, shrubless shore afforded nolandmark to indicate how far we had left the drowning man behind. 

I instantly let down the sail and leapt overboard in the hope of findinghim. Unsuccessful, I looked around in agonising suspense, and saw closeto 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 thisspot 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 manya 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. Iwill give you five dollars" (then worth about thirty shillings in Englishmoney). 

"We won't do it for that, " replied the men. "Give us twenty dollars, andwe will drag. "

"I do not possess so much: do come quickly, and I will give you all Ihave!"

"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 thenet let down. Less than a minute sufficed to bring up the body of themissing man. The fishermen were clamorous and indignant because theirexorbitant demand was delayed while efforts at resuscitation were beingmade. 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 fishermenactually guilty of this poor Chinaman's death, in that they had themeans of saving him at hand, if they would but have used them? Assuredlythey were guilty. And yet, let us pause ere we pronounce judgmentagainst 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? Ofhow much sorer punishment, then, is he worthy who leaves the soul toperish, and Cain-like says, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The LORD JESUScommands, commands _me_, commands _you_, my brother, and _you_, mysister. "Go, " says He, "go ye into _all_ the world, and preach theGospel to _every_ creature. " Shall we say to _Him_, "No, it is notconvenient"? shall we tell _Him_ that we are busy fishing and cannotgo? that we have bought a piece of ground and cannot go? that we havepurchased five yoke of oxen, or have married, or are engaged in otherand more interesting pursuits, and cannot go? Ere long "we must allappear before the judgment seat of CHRIST; that every one may receivethe things done in his body. " Let us remember, let us pray for, let uslabour for the unevangelised Chinese; _or we shall sin against our ownsouls_. Let us consider _Who_ it is that has said, "If thou _forbear_ todeliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to beslain; if thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not He thatpondereth the heart consider it? and He that keepeth _thy_ soul, dothnot he know it? and shall not He render to every man according to hisworks?"

 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. 

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CHAPTER XV

SETTLEMENT IN NINGPO

THE autumn of 1856 was well advanced before I reached Ningpo, one of themost ancient and influential cities on the coast of China. Opened to theresidence of foreigners in 1842 by the treaty of Nan-king, it had longbeen the scene of missionary labours. Within its thronging thoroughfaresthe busy tide of life runs high. Four hundred thousand human beingsdwell within or around the five miles circuit of its ancient wall, everyone a soul that JESUS loves, for whom He died. 

As winter drew on I rented a native house in Wu-gyiao-deo, or Lake HeadStreet. It was not then a very comfortable residence. I have a verydistinct remembrance of tracing my initials on the snow which during thenight had collected upon my coverlet in the large barn-like upper room, now subdivided into four or five smaller ones, each of which iscomfortably ceiled. The tiling of an unceiled Chinese house may keep offthe rain--if it happens to be sound--but it does not afford so good aprotection against snow, which will beat up through crannies andcrevices, and find its way within. But however unfinished may have beenits fittings, the little house was well adapted for work amongst thepeople; and there I thankfully settled down, finding ample scope forservice, --morning, noon, and night. 

During the latter part of this year my mind was greatly exercised aboutcontinued connection with my Society, it being frequently in debt. Personally I had always avoided debt, and kept within my salary, thoughat times only by very careful economy. Now there was no difficulty indoing this, for my income was larger, and the country being in a morepeaceful state, things were not so dear. But the Society itself was indebt. The quarterly bills which I and others were instructed to drawwere often met by borrowed money, and a correspondence commenced whichterminated in the following year by my resigning from conscientiousmotives. 

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, acontradiction of Scripture--a confession that GOD had withheld some goodthing, 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 anassociation of Christians? Or could any amount of precedents make awrong course justifiable? If the Word taught me anything, it taught meto 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 ofwhatever work was really His. It seemed to me that if there were lack offunds to carry on work, then to that degree, in that specialdevelopment, or at that time, it could not be the work of GOD. Tosatisfy my conscience I was therefore compelled to resign connectionwith 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 thesame step; and we were both profoundly thankful that the separationtook place without the least breach of friendly feeling on either side. Indeed, we had the joy of knowing that the step we took commended itselfto several members of the Committee, although as a whole the Societycould not come to our position. Depending upon GOD alone for supplies, we were enabled to continue a measure of connection with our formersupporters, sending home journals, etc. , for publication as before, solong as the Society continued to exist. 

The step we had taken was not a little trying to faith. I was not at allsure what GOD would have me do, or whether He would so meet my need asto enable me to continue working as before. I had no friends whateverfrom whom I expected supplies. I did not know what means the LORD mightuse; but I was willing to give up all my time to the service ofevangelisation among the heathen, if by any means He would supply thesmallest amount on which I could live; and if He were not pleased to dothis, I was prepared to undertake whatever work might be necessary tosupply myself, giving all the time that could be spared from such acalling to more distinctly missionary efforts. But GOD blessed andprospered me; and how glad and thankful I felt when the separation wasreally effected! I could look right up into my FATHER'S face with asatisfied heart, ready, by His grace, to do the next thing as He mightteach 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 homeexperiences. My faith was not untried; it often, often failed, and I wasso sorry and ashamed of the failure to trust such a FATHER. But oh! Iwas learning to know Him. I would not even then have missed the trial. He became so near, so real, so intimate. The occasional difficulty aboutfunds never came from an insufficient supply for personal needs, but inconsequence of ministering to the wants of scores of the hungry anddying ones around us. And trials far more searching in other ways quiteeclipsed these difficulties; and being deeper, brought forth inconsequence richer fruits. How glad one is now, not only to know, withdear Miss Havergal, that----

 "They who trust Him wholly Find Him wholly true, "

but also that when we fail to trust fully He still remains unchanginglyfaithful. He _is_ wholly true whether we trust or not. "If we believenot, He abideth faithful; He cannot deny Himself. " But oh, how wedishonour 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 notoriousbombardment of Canton by the British, and the commencement of our secondChinese war. Rumours of trouble were everywhere rife, and in many placesthe missionaries passed through not a little danger. In Ningpo this wasespecially the case, and the preserving care of GOD in answer to prayerwas consequently most marked. When the awful news of the bombardment ofCanton reached the Cantonese in Ningpo their wrath and indignation knewno bounds, and they immediately set to work to plot the destruction ofall the foreigners resident in the city and neighbourhood. It was wellknown that many of the foreigners were in the habit of meeting forworship every Sunday evening at one of the missionary houses, and theplan was to surround the place on a given occasion and make short workof 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, waseasily obtained; and nothing remained to hinder the execution of theplot, of which the foreigners were of course entirely in ignorance. (Asimilar plot against the Portuguese a few months later was carried out, and between fifty and sixty were massacred in open daylight. ) It sohappened, however, that one of those acquainted with the conspiracy hada friend engaged in the service of the missionaries; and anxious for hissafety, he was led to warn him of the coming danger, and urge hisleaving foreign employ. The servant made the matter known to his master, and thus the little community became aware of their peril. Realising thegravity of the situation, they determined to meet together at the houseof one of their number to seek the protection of the Most High, and tohide 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 aninferior mandarin, the Superintendent of Customs, to call upon theTao-t'ai, and remonstrate with him upon the folly of permitting such anattempt, which he assured him would rouse the foreigners in other placesto come with armed forces to avenge the death of their countrymen andraze the city to the ground. The Tao-t'ai replied that, when theforeigners came for that purpose, he should deny all knowledge of orcomplicity in the plot, and so direct their vengeance against theCantonese, who would in their turn be destroyed; "and thus, " said he, "we shall get rid of both Cantonese and foreigners by one stroke ofpolicy. " The Superintendent of Customs assured him that all suchattempts at evasion would be useless; and, finally, the Tao-t'ai sent tothe Cantonese, withdrawing his permission, and prohibiting the attack. This took place at the very time when we were asking protection of theLORD, though we did not become acquainted with the facts until someweeks 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 thisperiod, but ere 1857 terminated Mr. Jones and I were cheered by tokensof blessing. It is interesting to recall the circumstances connectedwith the first profession of faith in Christ, which encouraged us. 

On one occasion I was preaching the glad tidings of salvation throughthe finished work of CHRIST, when a middle-aged man stood up, andtestified before his assembled countrymen to his faith in the power ofthe Gospel. 

"I have long sought for the Truth, " said he earnestly, "as my fathersdid 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 hereto-night. Henceforth I am a believer in JESUS. "

This man was one of the leading officers of a sect of reformed Buddhistsin Ningpo. A short time after his confession of faith in the SAVIOURthere was a meeting of the sect over which he had formerly presided. Iaccompanied him to that meeting, and there, to his formerco-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 preachto his countrymen the glad tidings of great joy. A few nights after hisconversion he asked how long this Gospel had been known in England. Hewas told that we had known it for some hundreds of years. 

"What!" said he, amazed; "is it possible that for hundreds of years youhave had the knowledge of these glad tidings in your possession, and yethave only now come to preach it to us? My father sought after the Truthfor more than twenty years, and died without finding it. Oh, why did younot 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 twohundred millions in the meanwhile have been swept into eternity, withoutan offer of salvation. How long shall this continue, and the MASTER'Swords, "To every creature, " remain unheeded?

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CHAPTER XVI

TIMELY SUPPLIES

NOT infrequently our GOD brings His people into difficulties on purposethat they may come to know Him as they could not otherwise do. Then Hereveals Himself as "a very present help in trouble, " and makes the heartglad indeed at each fresh revelation of a FATHER'S faithfulness. We whoonly see so small a part of the sweet issues of trial often feel that wewould not for anything have missed them; how much more shall we blessand 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, alittle incident occurred that did much to strengthen our faith in theloving-kindness and ever-watchful care of GOD. 

A brother in the LORD, the Rev. John Quarterman, of the AmericanPresbyterian Mission North, was taken with virulent small-pox, and itwas my mournful privilege to nurse him through his suffering illness toits fatal close. When all was over, it became necessary to lay aside thegarments worn while nursing, for fear of conveying the infection toothers. Not having sufficient money in hand to purchase what was needfulin order to make this change, prayer was the only resource. The LORDanswered it by the unexpected arrival of a long-lost box of clothingfrom Swatow, that had remained in the care of the Rev. William Burnswhen 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 itwas 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 inone sense, but I thank GOD it is "as poor, yet making many rich; ashaving 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, beotherwise than I am--entirely dependent myself upon the LORD, and usedas a channel of help to others. 

On Saturday, the 4th inst. , our regular home mail arrived. That morningwe supplied, as usual, a breakfast to the destitute poor, who came tothe number of seventy. Sometimes they do not reach forty, at othersagain 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 ourother duties too. Well, on that Saturday morning we paid all expenses, and provided ourselves for the morrow, after which we had not a singledollar left between us. How the LORD was going to provide for Monday weknew not; but over our mantelpiece hung two scrolls in the Chinesecharacter--_Ebenezer_, "Hitherto hath the LORD helped us"; and_Jehovah-Jireh_, "The LORD will provide"--and He kept us from doubtingfor a moment. That very day the mail came in, _a week sooner than wasexpected_, and Mr. Jones received a bill for two hundred and fourteendollars. We thanked GOD and took courage. The bill was taken to amerchant, and although there is usually a delay of several days ingetting 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 haveseventy on account; so all was well. Oh, it is sweet to live thusdirectly dependent upon the LORD, who never fails us!

On Monday the poor had their breakfast as usual, for we had not toldthem not to come, being assured that it was the LORD'S work, and thatthe LORD would provide. We could not help our eyes filling with tears ofgratitude when we saw not only our own needs supplied, but the widow andthe orphan, the blind and the lame, the friendless and the destitute, together provided for by the bounty of Him who feeds the ravens. "Omagnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His Name together. . . . Tasteand 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 fearHim. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek theLORD 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 Daysupplies were again getting low. At last, on January 6th, 1858, only onesolitary cash remained--the twentieth part of a penny--in the jointpossession of Mr. Jones and myself; but though tried we looked to GODonce again to manifest His gracious care. Enough provision was found inthe house to supply a meagre breakfast; after which, having neither foodfor the rest of the day, nor money to buy any, we could only betakeourselves 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 todispose of something we possessed in order to meet our immediaterequirements. But on looking round we saw nothing that we could wellspare, and little that the Chinese would purchase for ready money. Credit to any extent we might have had, could we conscientiously haveavailed 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 readilypurchase; but we much regretted the necessity of parting with it. Atlength, however, we set out to the founder's, and after a walk of somedistance came to the river, which we had intended to cross by a floatingbridge of boats; but here the LORD shut up our path. The bridge had beencarried away during the preceding night, and the river was only passableby means of a ferry, the fare for which was two cash each person. As weonly possessed one cash, our course clearly was to return and awaitGOD'S own interposition on our behalf. 

Upon reaching home, we found that Mrs. Jones had gone with the childrento dine at a friend's house, in accordance with an invitation acceptedsome days previously. Mr. Jones, though himself included in theinvitation, refused now to go and leave me to fast alone. So we set towork and carefully searched the cupboards; and though there was nothingto eat, we found a small packet of cocoa, which, with a little hotwater, somewhat revived us. After this we again cried to the LORD in ourtrouble, and the LORD heard and saved us out of all our distresses. Forwhile we were still upon our knees a letter arrived from Englandcontaining a remittance. 

This timely supply not only met the immediate and urgent need of theday; for in the assured confidence that GOD, whose we were and whom weserved, would not put to shame those whose whole and only trust was inHimself. My marriage had been previously arranged to take place justfourteen days after this date. And this expectation was notdisappointed; for "the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenantof My peace be removed. " And although during subsequent years our faithwas often exercised, and sometimes severely, He ever proved faithful toHis promise, and never suffered us to lack any good thing. 

Never, perhaps, was there a union that more fully realised the blessedtruth, "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favourof the LORD. " My dear wife was not only a precious gift to me; GODblessed her to many others during the twelve eventful years throughwhich she was spared to those that loved her and to China. 

Hers had been a life connection with missionary work in that greatempire; for her father, the loved and devoted Samuel Dyer, was amongstthe very earliest representatives of the London Mission in the East. Hereached the Straits as early as 1827, and for sixteen years labouredassiduously amongst the Chinese in Penang and Singapore, completing atthe same time a valuable fount of Chinese metallic type, the first ofthe kind that had then been attempted. Dying in 1843, it was never Mr. Dyers privilege to realise his hopes of ultimately being able to settleon Chinese soil; but his children lived to see the country opened to theGospel, and to take their share in the great work that had been so dearto his heart. At the time of her marriage, my dear wife had been alreadyliving for several years in Ningpo with her friend, Miss Aldersey, inwhose varied missionary operations she was well qualified to rendervaluable assistance. 

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CHAPTER XVII

GOD A REFUGE FOR US

A SOMEWHAT different though not less manifest answer to prayer wasvouchsafed early in the year 1859. My dear wife was brought very low byillness, and at last all hope of recovery seemed gone. Every remedytried had proved unavailing; and Dr. Parker, who was in attendance, hadnothing more to suggest. Life was ebbing fast away. The only ground ofhope was that GOD might yet see fit to raise her up, in answer tobelieving but submissive prayer. 

The afternoon for the usual prayer meeting among the missionaries hadarrived, and I sent in a request for prayer, which was most warmlyresponded to. Just at this time a remedy that had not yet been tried wassuggested 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. Thehollow temples, sunken eyes, and pinched features denoted the nearapproach of death; and it seemed more than questionable as to whetherlife 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, whilewrestling mightily with GOD in prayer, the precious words were broughtwith power to my soul, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I willdeliver thee, and thou shall glorify Me. " I was at once enabled to pleadthem in faith, and the result was deep, deep, unspeakable peace andjoy. All consciousness of distance was gone. Dr. Parker cordiallyapproved of the use of the means suggested, but upon arriving at home Isaw at a glance that the desired change had taken place in the absenceof this or any other remedy. The pinched aspect of the countenance hadgiven place to the calmness of tranquil slumber, and not oneunfavourable symptom remained to retard recovery to health and strength. 

Spared thus in answer to prayer the loss of my own loved one, it waswith added sympathy and sorrow that I felt for Dr. Parker, when, in theautumn of the same year, his own wife was very suddenly removed. Itbeing necessary for the doctor to return at once with his motherlesschildren to Glasgow, temporary arrangements had to be made for theconduct of the Mission Hospital in Ningpo, for which he alone had beenresponsible. Under these circumstances he requested me to take up thework, at least so far as the dispensary was concerned. After a few days'waiting upon the LORD for guidance, I felt constrained to undertake notonly the dispensary work, but also that of the hospital; relying solelyupon the faithfulness of a prayer-hearing GOD to furnish the meansrequired for its support. 

The funds for the maintenance of the hospital had hitherto been suppliedby the proceeds of the doctor's foreign medical practice; and with hisdeparture these ceased. But had not GOD said that whatever we ask in theName of the LORD JESUS shall be done? And are we not told to seek firstthe kingdom of GOD, not means to advance it, and that all these thingsshall be added to us? Such promises were surely sufficient. Eight daysbefore entering upon this responsibility I had not the remotest idea ofever 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 tosupply 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 theirattendants; and about as many to opium-smokers, who paid for their boardwhile being cured of the habit. As all the wants of the sick in thewards were supplied gratuitously, in addition to the remedial appliancesneeded for the out-patient work, the daily expenses were considerable;besides which, a number of native attendants were required, involvingtheir support. 

When Dr. Parker handed the hospital over to me he was able to leavemoney that would meet the salaries and working expenses of the currentmonth, and little more. Being unable to guarantee their support, hisnative staff retired; and then I mentioned the circumstances to themembers of our little church, some of whom volunteered to help me, depending, like myself, upon the LORD; and they with me continued towait upon GOD that in some way or other He would provide for His ownwork. Day by day the stores diminished, and they were all but exhaustedwhen one day a remarkable letter reached me from a friend in Englandwhich contained a cheque for £50. The letter stated that the sender hadrecently lost his father, and had inherited his property; that notdesiring to increase his personal expenditure, he wished to hold themoney which had now been left to him to further the LORD'S work. Heenclosed 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 theLORD might lead me; only asking to know how it was applied, and whetherthere was need for more. 

After a little season of thanksgiving with my dear wife, I called mynative helpers into our little chapel, and translated to them theletter. I need not say how rejoiced they were, and that we togetherpraised GOD. They returned to their work in the hospital withoverflowing hearts, and told out to the patients what a GOD was ours;appealing to them whether their idols had ever helped them so. Bothhelpers and patients were blessed spiritually through this remarkableprovision, and from that time the LORD provided all that was necessaryfor carrying on the institution, in addition to what was needed for themaintenance of my own family, and for sustaining other branches ofmissionary work under my care. When, nine months later, I was obligedthrough failure of health to relinquish this charge, I was able to leavemore funds in hand for the support of the hospital than were forthcomingat the time I undertook it. 

But not only were pecuniary supplies vouchsafed in answer toprayer--many lives were spared; persons apparently in hopeless stages ofdisease were restored, and success was given in cases of serious anddangerous operations. In the case of one poor man, whose legs wereamputated under very unfavourable circumstances, healthy action tookplace with such rapidity that both wounds were healed in less than twoweeks. And more permanent benefits than these were conferred. Many wereconvinced of the truth of Christianity; not a few sought the LORD infaith and prayer, and experienced the power of the Great Physician tocure the sin-sick soul. During the nine months above alluded to sixteenpatients from the hospital were baptized, and more than thirty othersbecame candidates for admission into one or other of the Christianchurches in the city. 

Thus the year 1860 began with openings on all hands, but time andstrength were sadly too limited to admit of their being used to thebest advantage. For some time the help of additional workers had been amuch-felt need; and in January very definite prayer was made to the LORDof the harvest that He would thrust forth more labourers into thisspecial portion of the great world-field. Writing to relatives at homein England, under date of January 16th, 1860, I thus expressed the deeplonging 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 andmental strain involved, in the care of the hospital during Dr. Parker'sabsence, as well as the continued discharge of my other missionaryduties, my own health began rapidly to fail, and it became a seriousquestion as to whether it would not be needful to return to England fora time. 

It was hard to face this possibility. The growing church and work seemedto need our presence, and it was no small trial to part from those whomwe had learned so truly to love in the LORD. Thirty or forty nativeChristians had been gathered into the recently organised church; and thewell-filled meetings, and the warm-hearted earnestness of the converts, all bespoke a future of much promise. At last, however, completelyprostrated by repeated attacks of illness, the only hope of restorationseemed to lie in a voyage to England and a brief stay in its morebracing climate; and this necessity, painful though it seemed at thetime, proved to be only another opportunity for the manifestation of thefaithfulness and loving care of Him "who worketh all things after thecounsel of His own will. "

As heretofore, the LORD was present with His aid. The means for ourjourney were supplied, and that so liberally that we were able to bringwith us a native Christian to assist in translation or other literarywork, and to instruct in the language such helpers as the LORD mightraise up for the extension of the Mission. That He would give usfellow-labourers we had no doubt; for we had been enabled to seek themfrom 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 everstrengthened our hands in the LORD while in that distant land:--

"We are bringing with us a young Chinese brother to assist in literarywork, and I hope also in teaching the dialect to those whom the LORD mayinduce to return with us. "

And throughout the voyage our earnest cry to GOD was that He wouldoverrule our stay at home for good to China, and make it instrumental inraising up at least five helpers to labour in the province ofCHEH-KIANG. 

The way in which it pleased the LORD to answer these earnest andbelieving prayers, and the "exceeding abundantly" with which He crownedthem, we shall now sketch in brief outline. 

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CHAPTER XVIII

A NEW AGENCY NEEDED

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saiththe LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My wayshigher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. "[3] How trueare these words! When the LORD is bringing in great blessing in the bestpossible way, how oftentimes our unbelieving hearts are feeling, if notsaying, like Jacob of old, "All these things are against me. " Or we arefilled with fear, as were the disciples when the LORD, walking on thewaters, drew near to quiet the troubled sea, and to bring them quicklyto their desired haven. And yet mere common-sense ought to tell us thatHe, whose way is perfect, _can_ make no mistakes; that He who haspromised to "perfect that which concerneth" us, and whose minute carecounts the very hairs of our heads, and forms for us our circumstances, _must_ know better than we the way to forward our truest interests andto 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 myrelinquishing work for GOD in China, just when it was more fruitful thanever before; and to leave the little band of Christians in Ningpo, needing much care and teaching, was a great sorrow. Nor was the sorrowlessened when, on reaching England, medical testimony assured me thatreturn to China, at least for years to come, was impossible. Little didI then realise that the long separation from China was a necessary steptowards the formation of a work which GOD would bless as He has blessedthe CHINA INLAND MISSION. While in the field, the pressure of claimsimmediately around me was so great that I could not think much of thestill greater needs of the regions farther inland; and, if they werethought of, could do nothing for them. But while detained for some yearsin England, daily viewing the whole country on the large map on the wallof my study, I was as near to the vast regions of Inland China as to thesmaller districts in which I had laboured personally for GOD; and prayerwas often the only resource by which the burdened heart could gain anyrelief. 

As a long absence from China appeared inevitable, the next question washow best to serve China while in England, and this led to my engagingfor several years, with the late Rev. F. F. Gough of the C. M. S. , inthe revision of a version of the New Testament in the colloquial ofNingpo for the British and Foreign Bible Society. In undertaking thiswork, in my short-sightedness I saw nothing beyond the use that theBook, and the marginal references, would be to the native Christians;but I have often seen since that, without those months of feeding andfeasting on the Word of GOD, I should have been quite unprepared toform, on its present basis, a mission like the CHINA INLAND MISSION. 

In the study of that Divine Word I learned that, to obtain successfullabourers, not elaborate appeals for help, but, _first_, earnest _prayerto GOD to thrust forth labourers_, and, _second_, the deepening of thespiritual life of the church, so that _men should be unable to stay athome_, were what was needed. I saw that the Apostolic plan was not toraise ways and means, but _to go and do the work_, trusting in His sureWord who has said, "Seek ye _first_ the Kingdom of GOD and Hisrighteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. "

In the meantime the prayer for workers for CHEH-KIANG was beinganswered. The first, Mr. Meadows, sailed for China with his young wifein January 1862, through the kind co-operation and aid of our friend Mr. Berger. The second left England in 1864, having her passage provided bythe Foreign Evangelisation Society. The third and fourth reached Ningpoon July 24th, 1865. A fifth soon followed them, reaching Ningpo inSeptember 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 ina deep conviction that _a special agency was essential_ for theevangelisation of Inland China. At this time I had not only the dailyhelp of prayer and conference with my beloved friend and fellow-workerthe 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 pietywere of priceless value at this juncture) spent many days in prayerfuldeliberation. The grave difficulty of possibly interfering with existingmissionary operations at home was foreseen; but it was concluded that, by simple trust in GOD, suitable agency might be raised up and sustainedwithout interfering injuriously with any existing work. I had also agrowing conviction that GOD would have _me_ to seek from Him the neededworkers, and to go forth with them. But for a long time unbeliefhindered my taking the first step. 

How inconsistent unbelief always is! I had no doubt that, if I prayedfor workers, "_in_ the Name" of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, they would begiven me. I had no doubt that, in answer to such prayer, the means forour going forth would be provided, and that doors would be opened beforeus in unreached parts of the Empire. But I had not then learned to trustGOD for _keeping_ power and grace for myself, so no wonder that I couldnot trust Him to keep others who might be prepared to go with me. Ifeared that in the midst of the dangers, difficulties, and trials whichwould necessarily be connected with such a work, some who werecomparatively inexperienced Christians might break down, and bitterlyreproach me for having encouraged them to undertake an enterprise forwhich they were unequal. 

Yet, what was I to do? The feeling of blood-guiltiness became more andmore intense. Simply because I refused to ask for them, the labourersdid not come forward--did not go out to China--and every day tens ofthousands were passing away to Christless graves! Perishing China sofilled my heart and mind that there was no rest by day, and little sleepby night, till health broke down. At the invitation of my beloved andhonoured friend, Mr. George Pearse (then of the Stock Exchange), I wentto spend a few days with him in Brighton. 

On Sunday, June 25th, 1865, unable to bear the sight of a congregationof a thousand or more Christian people rejoicing in their own security, while millions were perishing for lack of knowledge, I wandered out onthe sands alone, in great spiritual agony; and there the LORD conqueredmy unbelief, and I surrendered myself to GOD for this service. I toldHim that all the responsibility as to issues and consequences must restwith Him; that as His servant, it was mine to obey and to followHim--His, to direct, to care for, and to guide me and those who mightlabour with me. Need I say that peace at once flowed into my burdenedheart? There and then I asked Him for twenty-four fellow-workers, twofor each of eleven inland provinces which were without a missionary, andtwo for Mongolia; and writing the petition on the margin of the Bible Ihad with me, I returned home with a heart enjoying rest such as it hadbeen a stranger to for months, and with an assurance that the LORD wouldbless His own work and that I should share in the blessing. I hadpreviously prayed, and asked prayer, that workers might be raised up forthe 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 inprayer. With the help of Mr. Berger, who had given valued aid in therevision of the manuscript, and who bore the expense of printing anedition of 3000 copies, they were soon put in circulation. I spokepublicly of the proposed work as opportunity permitted, specially at thePerth and Mildmay Conferences of 1865, and continued in prayer forfellow-workers, who were soon raised up, and after due correspondencewere invited to my home, then in the East of London. When one housebecame insufficient, the occupant of the adjoining house removed, and Iwas able to rent it; and when that in its turn became insufficient, further accommodation was provided close by. Soon there were a number ofmen and women under preparatory training, and engaging in evangelisticwork which tested in some measure their qualifications as soul-winners. 

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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 wasorganised; and the workers already in the field were incorporated intoit. W. T. Berger, Esq. , then residing at Saint Hill, near EastGrinstead, without whose help and encouragement I could not have goneforward, undertook the direction of the home department of the workduring my anticipated absence in China; and I proposed, as soon asarrangements could be completed, to go out with the volunteers and takethe direction of the work in the field. For the support of the workersalready in China, our friends at home were sending in unsolicitedcontributions from time to time, and every need was met. 

We had now, however, to look forward to the outgoing of a party ofsixteen or seventeen, and estimated that from £1500 to £2000 might berequired to cover outfits, passage-money, and initial expenses. I wrotea little pamphlet, calling it "Occasional Paper, No. I. " (intending insuccessive numbers to give to donors and friends accounts of the workwrought through us in China), and in that paper stated the anticipatedneeds for floating the enterprise. I expected that GOD would incline thehearts of some of the readers to send contributions: I had determinednever to use personal solicitation, or to make collections, or to issuecollecting-books. Missionary-boxes were thought unobjectionable, and wehad a few prepared for those who might ask for them, and have continuedto use them ever since. 

It was February 6th, 1866, when I sent my manuscript of "OccasionalPaper, No. I. , " with a design for the cover, to the printer. From delaysin engraving and printing, it was March 12th when the bales of pamphletswere 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 hadreceived (from December 30th) £170:8:3. 

"We felt much encouraged by the receipt of so much money in little morethan a month, as it was entirely unsolicited by us--save from GOD. Butit was also evident that we must ask the LORD to do yet greater thingsfor us, or it would be impossible for a party of from ten to sixteen toleave in the middle of May. _Daily united prayer was therefore offeredto_ GOD for the funds needful for the outfits and passages of as many asHe would have to go out in May. 

"Owing to the delays mentioned above in the printing of the 'OccasionalPaper, ' it was not ready for the publisher until March 12th. On this dayI again examined my mission cash-book, and the comparison of the resultof the two similar periods of one month and six days each, one beforeand 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 wasthe response of a faithful GOD to the united prayers of those whom Hehad 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 whenGOD had supplied the special need, the special supply also ceased. Trulythere is a LIVING GOD, and HE is the hearer and answerer of prayer. "

But this gracious answer to prayer made it a little difficult tocirculate "Occasional Paper, No. I. , " for it stated as a need that whichwas already supplied. The difficulty was obviated by the issue with eachcopy of a coloured inset stating that the funds for outfit and passagewere already in hand in answer to prayer. We were reminded of thedifficulty of Moses--not a very common one in the present day--and ofthe proclamation he had to send through the camp to the people toprepare no more for the building of the Tabernacle, as the gifts in handwere already too much. We are convinced that if there were _less_solicitation for money and _more_ dependence upon the power of the HOLYGHOST and upon the deepening of spiritual life, the experience of Moseswould be a common one in every branch of Christian work. 

Preparations for sailing to China were at once proceeded with. Aboutthis time I was asked to give a lecture on China in a village not veryfar from London, and agreed to do so on condition that there should beno collection, and that this should be announced on the bills. Thegentleman who invited me, and who kindly presided as chairman, said hehad never had that condition imposed before. He accepted it, however, and the bills were issued accordingly for the 2nd or 3rd of May. Withthe aid of a large map, something of the extent and population and deepspiritual need of China was presented, and many were evidentlyimpressed. 

At the close of the meeting the chairman said that by my request it hadbeen intimated on the bills that there would be no collection; but hefelt that many present would be distressed and burdened if they had notthe opportunity of contributing something towards the good workproposed. He trusted that as the proposition emanated entirely fromhimself, and expressed, he felt sure, the feelings of many in theaudience, I should not object to it. I begged, however, that thecondition agreed to might be carried out; pointing out among otherreasons for making no collection, that the very reason adduced by ourkind 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 suchcontribution as might there and then be convenient, under the influenceof a present emotion; but that each one should go home burdened with thedeep need of China, and ask of GOD what He would have them to do. If, after thought and prayer, they were satisfied that a pecuniarycontribution was what He wanted of them, it could be given to anyMissionary Society having agents in China; or it might be posted to ourLondon 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 orgold--to His service. I added that I thought the tendency of acollection was to leave the impression that the all-important thing was_money_, whereas no amount of money could convert a single soul; thatwhat was needed was that men and women filled with the HOLY GHOST shouldgive _themselves_ to the work: for the support of such there would neverbe a lack of funds. As my wish was evidently very strong, the chairmankindly yielded to it, and closed the meeting. He told me, however, atthe 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 littlecontributions into his hands. 

Next morning at breakfast, my kind host came in a little late, andacknowledged to not having had a very good night. After breakfast heasked me to his study, and giving me the contributions handed to him thenight before, said, "I thought last night, Mr. Taylor, that you were inthe 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 passingonward into the dark, I could only cry as you suggested, 'LORD, whatwilt Thou have _me_ to do?' I think I have obtained the guidance Isought, and here it is. " He handed me a cheque for £500, adding that ifthere had been a collection he would have given a few pounds to it, butnow this cheque was the result of having spent no small part of thenight in prayer. 

I need scarcely say how surprised and thankful I was for this gift. Ihad received at the breakfast-table a letter from Messrs. Killick, Martin and Co. , shipping agents, in which they stated that they couldoffer us the whole passenger accommodation of the ship _Lammermuir_. Iwent direct to the ship, found it in every way suitable, and paid thecheque on account. As above stated, the funds deemed needed had beenalready in hand for some time; but the coincidence of the simultaneousoffer 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 missionaryparty of 16 (besides my four children and their nurse, and Miss Bausum(afterwards Mrs. Barchet)); in all 22 passengers. Mr. Berger took chargeof 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 fullydelineated by Miss Guinness in her interesting _Story of the ChinaInland Mission_, which continues its history to the present date. It isindeed a record of the goodness of GOD, every remembrance of which callsfor 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 reachedChina, and during the first ten years stations and out-stations wereopened in many cities and towns in four provinces which hitherto hadbeen unreached by the Gospel. At home Mr. And Mrs. Berger continuedtheir devoted service until March 19th, 1872, I having returned toEngland the year before. Shortly after this the London Council wasformed, which has now for several years been assisted by an auxiliaryCouncil of ladies. A Scotch Council was also formed in Glasgow a fewyears ago. 

A visit to America in 1888 issued in the formation of the Council forNorth America, and a similar Council for Australasia was commenced inMelbourne two years later. In the field a China Council was organised in1886, 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--whichsend out and support their own missionaries, who in China have theassistance of the educational and other advantages of the C. I. M. , andwho 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 (95of whom were unpaid), working as pastors, evangelists, teachers, colporteurs, Bible-women, etc. , in 14 different provinces. 

Duly qualified candidates for missionary labour are accepted withoutrestriction as to denomination, provided they are sound in the faith inall fundamental truths: these go out in dependence upon GOD for temporalsupplies, with the clear understanding that the officers of the Missiondo not guarantee any income whatever; and knowing that as they will notgo into debt, they can only minister to them as the funds sent in fromtime to time will allow. But we praise GOD that during the pasttwenty-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 voluntarycontributions, sent to the offices of the Mission without personalsolicitation, by those who wish to aid in this effort to spread theknowledge of the Gospel throughout China. The income for the year 1892was about £34, 000 from all sources--Great Britain, the Continent ofEurope, North America, Australasia, China, etc. 

Some of the missionaries having private property have gone out at theirown expense, and do not take anything from the Mission funds. 

Stations have been opened in ten of the eleven provinces which werepreviously without Protestant missionaries; from one of these, however, we have had to retire. The eleventh province has been visited severaltimes, 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 ofthe eighteen provinces, in all of which stations either missionaries ornative labourers are resident. Over 6000 converts have been baptizedfrom the commencement, some 4000 of whom are now living and infellowship. 

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 workof the Mission, and early in the following year the houses in PyrlandRoad, which had so long formed the home of the Mission in England, werevacated, and NEWINGTON GREEN, LONDON, N. , became the address of theMission offices and home. 

From that date until the Boxer outbreak of 1900 the Mission made steadyprogress, the development of the work in China being accompanied bycorresponding developments in the home departments of the Mission inEngland, America, and Australasia. 

In January 1900, before the Boxer outbreak, there were in connectionwith the Mission, 811 missionaries, including wives and associates; 171stations; 223 out-stations; 387 chapels; 581 paid native helpers; 193unpaid native helpers; 8557 communicants in fellowship, 12, 964 havingbeen 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 missionariesand 53 missionaries' children and many thousands of Chinese Christianswere cruelly murdered, the China Inland Mission lost 58 missionaries and21 children. The records of these unparalleled times of suffering havebeen told in _Martyred Missionaries of the China Inland Mission_ and in_Last Letters_, both of which books will be found advertised at the endof this volume. Apart from loss of life, there was an immense amount ofMission property destroyed, and the missionaries were compelled toretire from their stations in most parts of China. 

The doors closed by this outbreak have all been reopened in the goodnessof GOD. In those districts which suffered most from the massacres thework has largely been one of reorganisation; but throughout Chinagenerally there has been a spirit of awakening and a time of enlargedopportunity; which is a loud call for more men and women to volunteer tostep into the gaps and fill the places of those who have fallen. 

Among recent developments we would specially mention the opening of anew home centre at Philadelphia, U. S. A. The total income of the Missionfor 1901 was £53, 633 = $257, 712, and the total received in Englandalone, for 1902, was £51, 446 = $246, 912. The total membership of theMission in June 1902 was 761. 

Current information about the progress of the work in China may beobtained from _China's Millions_, the organ of the Mission. It ispublished monthly, and may be ordered through any bookseller fromMessrs. Morgan and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, E. C. , for 1s. Peryear, or direct by post from the offices of the Mission, NewingtonGreen, London, N. , for 1s. 6d. Per annum. 

The Australasian edition of _China's Millions_ may be ordered at thesame price from M. L. Hutchinson, Little Collins Street, or from theMission Offices, 267 Collins Street, Melbourne. The North Americanedition will be sent post free from the Mission Offices, 507 ChurchStreet, Toronto, for 50 cents per annum. 

Prayer meetings on behalf of the work in China are held at the principalhome centres of the Mission, as follows: Every Saturday afternoon from 4to 6 o'clock, at Newington Green, London. Every Friday evening at 8o'clock, at 507 Church Street, Toronto. Every Saturday afternoon at 4o'clock, in the Office, 267 Collins Street, Melbourne. A heartyinvitation to attend any one of these meetings is given to any oneresiding in or visiting any of these cities. 

Donations to the Mission, applications from candidates, orders forliterature, requests for deputation speakers, and other correspondenceshould 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 InlandMission 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 toMap. The dates in this column in many cases are of itinerations begun. 

[5] Capitals of Provinces in capital letters; of Prefectures in smallcapitals; 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 suchas Bhâmo and Bhamô.