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This ittm Is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est (ilm^ au taux de reduction indiqu< cl-dcisous. 10x 14x 18x 22x 26x 30x 7" 12x 16x 20x 24 x 28x 32x Tha copy fiimtd hara has baan raproducad thanks to tha ganarosity of: Knox College, Toronto Caven Library Tha imagas appaaring hara ara tha bast quality possibia considaring tha condition and lagibility of tha original copy and in kaapir 'T UnA ■L 4 I m / I . this should surely be the eternal interests t sympathies of our 'ood-bougfht nature ? eless misery^ orisin^ :e our sluggfish eor mighty, continued. ri^T Ift -•J RE\/. J HUDSON TAYLOR. M.RC.S U I "»«r?»* »f qfe7?a«w«agai:K- ; A RETROSPECT. By REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR. M.R.CS. CHAPTER I. THE POWER OF PRAYKR, J'fcfe^V-Ts'l**) J 'B''*'*^^|i H F- following account of some of the experiences t BtPM^JShI which eventually led to the formation of the China SiRl SlCf^fll Inli)"d Mission, and to its taking the form in which it has bten developed, first appeared in the pages of China's Millions. Miss Guinness incorporated it in the Story of the China Inland Mission, a record which contained the account of God's goodness to the beginning of 1894. Much of the material was taken from notes of addresses giveq in China during a conference of our missionaries; this will account for the direct and nafrative form of the papers, which it has not been thought necessary to change. It is always helpful to us to fix our attcMtion on the God ward a.^pect of Christian work; to realize that the work of God dot not mean so much man's work for God, as God's own work through man. Furthermore, in our privileged position cf fellow-workers with Him. while fully recognizing all the benefits and blessings to be bestowed on a sin-stricken world through the proclamation of the Gospel and spread of the Truth, we shoulu never lose sight of tfic hi^Ije^ ^sp^ct of oi>r work— th^t of obedience to God, of bfingipg c !■ .' iV 6 A RETROSPECT. glory to His Name, of gladdening the heart of our God and Father by living and serving as His beloved children. Many circumstances connected with my own early Iitc and ser- vice presented this aspect of work vividly to me; and as I think of some of them I am reminded of how much the cause of missions is indebted to many who are never themselves permitted to see the mission field — many, it may be, who are unable to give largely of their substance, and who will be not a little surprised the Great Day to see how much the work has been advanced by their love, their sympathy, and their prayers. For myself, and for the work that I have been permitted to do for God, I owe an unspeakable debt of gratitude to my beloved and honoured parents, who have pa.ssed away and entered into re,st, but the influence of whose lives will never pass away. Many years ago, probably about 1830. the heart of my dear father, then himself ,m earnest and successful Evangelist at home, was deeply stirred as to the spiritual state of Cliina by reading several books, and especially an account of the travels of Captain Basil Hall His circumstances were such as to preclude the hope of his ever going to China for personal service, but he was led to pray that if God should give him a son, he might be called and privileged to labour in the vast needy empire which was then apparently so sealed against the truth. I was not aware of this desire or praye'T triyself until my return to England, more than seven years after I Had sailed for China; but It was very interesting then to know how prayer offered before my birth had been answered in this matter. All thought of my becoming a missionary was abandoned for many years by my dear parents on account of the feebleness of my health. When the time came, however. God gave increased health, and my life has been spared, and strength has been given for not a little toilsome service both in the mission field and at home, while many stronger men and women have succumbed. I had many opportunities in early years of learning the value of prayer and of the Word of God; for it was the delight of my dear parents to point out that if there were any such Being as God, to trust Him, to obey Him, and to be fully given up to His service, must of necessity be the best and wisest course both for myself and othprs. But iji spite of these helpful examples and precepts my heart i 11 r God and Father early lite and ser- aiid as I think of cause of missions jrmitted to see the to give largely of jrised the Great iced by their love, permitted to do for ) my beloved and tered into rest, but t of my dear father, list at home, was by reading several Captain Basil Hall hope of his ever led to pray that if and privileged to pparently so sealed e or prayer myself s after I Had sailed know how prayer is matter. vas abandoned for e feebleness of my e increased health, en given for not a nd at home, while irning the value of delight of my dear Being as God, to up to His service, oth for myself and I precepts my hear^ A RETROSPECT. / ivas unchanged. Often I had tried to make myself a Christian; and failing of course in such efforts, I began at last to think that for some reason or other I could not be saved, and that the best 1 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 hold- ing sceptical and infidel views, and accepted their teaching, only too thankful for some hope ot escape from the doom which, if my parents were right and the Bible true, awaited the impenitent. It may seem strange to say it, but I have often felt thankful for the experience of this time of scepticism. The inconsistencies of Christian people, who, while confessing to believe their Bibles, were yet content to live just as they would if there were no such book, had been ont of the strongest arguments of my sceptical companions; and I fre- (luently felt at that time, and said, that if I pretended to believe the Bible, I would at any rate attempt to live by it, putting it fairly to the test, and if it failed to prove true and reliable, would throw it overboard altogether. These views I retained when the Lord was pleased to bring me to Himself; and I think I may say that since then I have put God's Word to the test. Certainly it has never failed me. I have never had reason to regret the confidence I have placed in its promises, or to deplore following the guidance I have found in its directions. Let me tell you how God answered the prayers of my dear mother and very beloved sister (now Mrs. Broomhall), for my con- version. On a day which I shall never forget, when I was about fifteen years of age, my dear mother being absent from home, I had a holiday, and in the afternoon looked through my father's library to find some book with which to while away the unoccupied hours. Nothing attracting me, I turned over a little basket of pam- phlets, and selected from amongst them a Gospel tract which looked interesting, saying to myself, " There will be a story at the com- mencement and a sermon or moral at the close; I will take the former and leave the latter for those who like it." I sat down to read the little book in an utterly unconcerned state of mind, believing, indeed, at the time that if there were any salva- tion it was not for me, and with a distinct intention to put away the tract as soon as it should seem prosy. I may say that it was not un- ).'%' '-' "I 't^^f-\i*fH9ff>vfJt' J -^ '^ 8 A RETROSPECT, Si 1 common in those days to call conversion " becoming serious;" and judging by the faces of some of its professors, it appeared to be a very serious matter indeed. Would it not be well if the people of God had always tell-tale faces, evincing the blessings and gladness of salvation so clearly that unconverted people might have to call conversion "becoming joyful" instead of "'becoming serious?" Little did I know at the time what was going on in the heart of my dear mother, seventy or eighty miles away. She rose from the dinner table that afternoon with an intense yearning for the con- version of her boy, and feeling that— absent from home and having more leisure than she could otherwise secure— a special opportunity was afforded her of pleading with God on my behalf. She went to her room and turned the key in the door, resolved not to leave that spot until her prayers were answered. Hour after hour did that dear mother plead for me. until at length she could pray no longer, but was constrained to praise God for that which His Spirit taught her had already been accomplished— the conversion of her only son. I, in the meantime, had been led in the way I have mentioned to take up this little tract, and while reading it was struck with the sentence, " The finished work of Christ." The thought passed through my mind, " Why does the author use this expression? Why not say the atoning or propitiatory work of Christ ?" Immediately the words, " It is finished " suggested themselves to my mind. What was finished? And I at once replied, "A full and perfect atonement and satisfaction for sin; the debt was paid by the Substitute; Christ died for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Then came the thought, " If the whole work was finished and the whole debt paid, what is there left for me to do?" And with thi.s dawned the joyful conviction, as light was flashed into my soul by the Holy Spirit, that there was nothing in the world to be done but to fall down on one's knees, and accepting this Saviour and His salvation, to praise Him for evermore. Thus, while my dear mother was praising God on her knees in her chamber, I was praising Him in the old warehouse to which I had gone alone to read at my leisure this little book. Several days elapsed ere I ventured to make my beloved sister the confidante of my joy, and then only after «'.!•: had promised not to tell anyone of my soul secret. When our di ir mother came home :oming serious;" and it appeared to be a well if the people of essings and gladness : might have to call coming serious?" ig on in the heart of She rose from the earning for the con- im home and having a special opportunity behalf. She went to ved not to leave that er hour did that dear pray no longer, but His Spirit taught her of her only son. ay I have mentioned I was struck with the rhe thought passed his expression? Why hrist ?" Immediately s to my mind. What nd perfect atonement he Substitute; Christ so for the sins of the the whole work was > left for me to do?" light was flashed into hing in the world to ccepting this Saviour re. Thus, while my 1 her chamber, I was I had gone alone to ^e my beloved sister 'ic had promised not ir mother came home A RETROSPEci*. g a fortnight later, I was the first to meet her at the door, and to tell her 1 had such glad news to give. I can almost feci that dear mo- ther's arms around my neck, as she pressed me to her bosom and said, "I know, my boy; 1 have been rejoicing for a fortnight in the glad tidings you have to tell me." " Why," I asked in surprise, ' has Amelia broken her promise? She said she would tell no one." My dear mother assured me that it was not from any human source that she had learned the tidings, and went on to tell the little in- cident mentioned above. You will agree with me that it would be strange indeed if I were not a believer in the power of prayer. Nor was this all. Some little time after I picked up a pocket- book exactly like one of my own, and thinking that it was mme, opened it. The lines that caught my eye were an entry in the little diary, which' belonged to my sister, to the effect that she would give herself daily to prayer until God should answer in the conversion of her brother. Exactly one month later the Lord was pleased to turn me from darkness to light. Brought up in such a circle and saved under such circumstances, it was perhaps natural that from the commencement of my Chris- tian life I was led to feel that the promises were very real, and that prayer was in sober matter of fact transacting business with God, whether on one's own behalf or on behalf of those for whom one sought His blessing. CHAPTER II. THE CALL TO SERVICE. THE first joys of conversion passed away after a time, and were succeeded by a period of painful deadness of soul, with much conflict. But this also came to an end, leaving a deepened sense of personal weakness and dependence on the Lord as the only Keeper as well as Saviour of His people. How swet-t to the soul, wearied and disappointed in its struggle"? with sin, is the calm repose of trust in the Shepherd of Israel. Not many months after my conversion, having a leisure after- noon, I retired to my own chamber to spend it largely in com- -iS' % >dmi i:iSW^a^^nrmtrM^...m, 10 A RETROSPECT. 'it H munion with God, Well do I remember that occasion. How in the gladness of my heart I poured out my soul before God; and again and again confessing my grateful love to Him who had done everything for nie— who had saved me when 1 had given up all hope and even desire for salvation— I besought Him to give me some work to do for Him, as an outlet for love and gratitude; some self-denying service, no matter what it might be, however trying or however trivial; something with which He would be pleased, and that I might do for Him who had done so much for me. Well do I remember, as in unreserved consecration I put myself, my life, my friends, my all, upon the altar, the deep solemnity that came oyer my soul with the assurance that my ofifcring was accepted. The presence of God became unutterably real and blessed; and though but a child under sixteen, I remember stretching my.self on the ground and lying there silent before Him with unspeakable awe and unspeakable joy. For what service I was accepted I knew not; but a deep con- sciousness that I was no longer my own took possesion of me, which has never since been effaced. It has been a very practical con- sciousness. Two or three years later propositions of an unusually favorable nature were made to me with regard to medical study, on the condition of my becoming apprenticed to the medical man who was my friend and teacher. But I felt I dared not accept any bind- ing engagement such as was suggested. I was not my own to give myself away; for I knew not when or how He whose alone I was, and for whose disposal I felt I must ever keep myself free, might call for service. Within a few months of this time of consecration the impres- sion was wrought into my soul tljat it was in China the Lord wanted me. It seemed to me highly probable that the work to which I was thus called might cost my life; for China was not then open as it is now. But few misisonary societies had at that time workers in China, and but few books on the subject of China missions were accessible to me. I learned, however, that the Congregational min- ister of my native town possessed a copy of Medhurst's China, and I called upon him to ask a loan of the book. This he kindly granted, asking me why I wished to read it. T told him that God had called me to spend my life in missionary service in that land. " And •hov*' A RETROSPECT. II occasion. How in il before God; and Him who had done id given up all hope [1 to give me some nd gratitnde; some be, however trying : would be pleased, much for me. Well put myself, my life, unity that came over was accepted. The )lessed; and though nng my.self on the mspeakable awe and )t; but a deep con- ic possesion of me, a very practical con- ans of an unusually to medical study, on le medical man who lot accept any bind- not my own to give whose alone I was, ) myself free, might ;cration the imprcs- ina the Lord wanted vork to which I was not then open as it hat time workers in Zhina missions were Congregational min- edhurst's China, and is he kindly granted, that God had called at land. " And 'hoW do you propose to go there?" he enquired. I answered that 1 did not at all know; that it seemed to me probable that I should need to do as the Twelve and the Seventy had done in Judea— go without purse or scrip, relying on Him who had called me to supply ail my need. Kindly placing his hand upon my shoulder, the minister replied, " Ah, my boy, as you grow older you will get wiser than that. Such an idea would do very well in the days when Christ Himself was on earth, but not now." I have grown older since then, but not wiser. I am more than ever convinced that if we were to take the directions of our Master and the assurances He gave to His first disciples more fully as our guide, we should find them to be just as suited to our times as to those in which they were originally given. Medhurst's book on China emphasized the value of medical mis- sions there, and this directed my attention to medical studies as a valuable mode of preparation. My beloved parents neither discouraged nor encouraged my de- sire to engage in missionary work. They advised me, with such convictions, to use all the means in my power to develop the re- sources of body, mind, heart and soul, and to wait prayerfully upon God, quite willing, should He show me that I was mistaken, to follow His guidance, or to go forward if in due time He should open the way to missionary service. The importance of this advice I have often since had occasion to prove. I began to take more exercise in the open air to strengthen my physique. My feather bed I had taken away, and sought to dispense with as many other home comforts as I could, in order to prepare myself for rougher lines of life. I began also to do what Christian work was in my power, m the way of tract distribution, Sunday School teaching, and visiting the poor and sick, as opportunity afforded. After a time of preparatory study at home, I went to Hull for medical and surgical training. There I became assistant to a doctor who was connected with the Hull School of Medicine, and was sur- geon also to a number of factories, which brought many accident cases to our dispensary, and gave me the opportunity of seeing and practising the minor operations of surgery. And here an event took place that I must not omit to mention. Before leaving home my attention was drawn to the subject of set- I iriiminm i ^ u A RETROSPECT. \ m ting apart the first fruits of all one's increase and a proportionate part of one's possessions to the Lord's service. I thought it well to study the question with my Bible in hand before I went away from home, and was placed in circumstances which might bias my conclusions by the pressure of surrounding wants and cares. I was thus led to the determination to set apart not less than one-tenth of whatever moneys I might earn or become possessed of for the Lord's service. The salary I received as medical assistant in Hull at the time now referred to would have allowed me with ease to do this. But owing to changes in the family of my kind friend and em- ployer, it was necessary for me to reside out of doors. Comfortable quarters were secured with a relative, and in addition to the sum determined on as remuneration for my services I received the exact amount I had to pay for board and lodging. Now arose in my mind the question, Ought not this sum also to be tithed? It was surely a part of my income, and I felt that if it had been a question of Government income tax it certainly would not have been excluded. On the other hand, to take a tithe from the whole would not leave me sufficient for other purposes; and for some little time I was much embarrassed to know what to do. After much thought and prayer I was led to leave the comfortable quar- ters and happy circle in which I was now residing, and to engage a little lodging in the suburbs— a sitting-room and bedroom in one — undertaking to board myself. In this way I was able without diffi- culty to tithe the whole of my income; and while I felt the change a good deal, it was attended with no small blessing. More time was given in my solitude to the study of the Word of God, to visiting the poor, and to evangelistic work on summer evenings than would otherwise have *i>een the case. Brought into contact in this way with many who were in distress, I soon saw the privilegfe of still further economising, and found it not difficult to give away much more than the proportion of my income I had at first intended. About this time a friend drew my attention to the question of the personal and pre-millenial coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and gave me a list of passages bearing upon it, without note or com- ment, advising me to ponder the subject. For a while I gave much time to studying the Scriptures about it, with the result that I was d a proportionate I thought it well fore I went away :h might bias my and cares. I was ss than one-tenth ssessed of for the assistant in Hull e with ease to do nd friend and em- lors. Comfortable iition to the sum received the exact not this sum also e, and I felt that it certainly would :e a tithe from the urposes; and for iwhat to do. After comfortable quar- g, and to engage bedroom in one — able without diffi- I felt the change I?- udy of the Word work on summer >e. Brought into s, I soon saw the it not difficult to income I had at le question of the fesus Christ, and >ut note or com- hile I gave much result that I was A RETROSPECT. 13 Ld to see Aat this same Jesus who left our earth in His resurrection Ibody was so to come again, that His feet were to stand on the Mount lof Olives, and that He was to take possession of the temporal throne Lf His father David which wus promised before His birth. I saw. liurther. that all through the New Testament the coming of the Lord was the great hope of His people, and was always appealed to as Ithe strongest motive for consecration and service, and as the great- Ls, comfort in trial and affliction. I learned, too, that the period of iHis return for His people was not revealed, and that it was their [privilege, from day to day and from hour to hour, to hye as men who iwait for the Lord; that thus living it was immaterial, so to spea^, whether He should or should not come at any particular hour, the important thing being to be so ready for Him as to be able when- ever He might appear, to give an account of one s stewardship with joy, and not with grief. The effect of this blessed hope was a thoroughly practical one. It led me to look carefully through my little library to see . there were any books there that were not needed or likely to be of further service and to examine my small wardrobe, to be quite sure that it contained nothing that I should be sorry to give an account of should the Master come at once. The result was that the library was considerably diminished to the benefit of some poor neigh- bours, anu to the far greater benefit of my own soul,, and that 1 found I had articles of clothing also which might be put to better advantage in other directions. It has been very helpful to me from time to time through life, as occasion has served, to act again in a similar way; and I have never gone through my house, from basement to attic, with this object in view, without receiving a great accession of spiritual joy and blessing. I believe we are all in danger of accumulating-it may be from thoughtlessness or from pressure of occupation-things which would be useful to others, while not needed by ourselves, and the re- tention of which entails loss of blessing. If the whole resources of the Church of God were well utilized, how much more might be accom- plished! How many poor might be fed and naked clothed, and to how many of those as yet unreached the Gospel might be carried! Let me advise this line of things as a constant habit of mmd, and a profitable course to be practically adopted whenever circumstances permit if."' m I I J4 A RETROSPECt. i ii'' CHAPTER III. PREPARATION FOR SERVICE.- HAVING now the two-fold object in view of accustoming tny- stlf to endure hardness and of economizing, in order to be able more largely to assist those amongst whom I spent a good deal of time labouring in the Gospel. I soon found that I could live upon very much less than I had previously thought possible. Butter, milk and other such luxuries 1 soon ceased to use; and I found that by living mainly on oatmeal and rice, with occasional vari- ations, a very small sum was sufficient for my needs In this way I had more than two-thirds of my income available for other purposes; and my experience was that the less I spent on myself and the more I gave away, the fuller of happiness and blessing did my soul become. Unspeakable joy all the day long, and every day, was my happy ex- perience. God, even my God, was a living, bright Reality; and all I had to do was joyful service. It was to me a very grave matter, however, to contemplate going out to China, far away from all human aid, there to depend upon the living God alone for protection, supplies, and help of every kind. I felt that one's spiritual muscles required strengthening for such an undertaking. There was po doubt that if faith did not fail, God would not fail; but then, what if one's faith should prove insuffi- cient? I had not at that time learned that even "if we believe not. He abideth faithful, He cannot deny Himself;" and it was conse- quently a very serious question to my mind, not whether He was faithful, but whether I had strong enough faith to warrant my em- barking in the enterprise set before me. I thought to myself, " When I get out to China, I shall have no claim on anyone for anything; my only claim will be on God. How important, therefore, to learn before leaving England to move man, through God, by prayer alone."' At Hull my kind employer, always busily occupied, wished me to remind him whenever my salary became due. This I determined not to do directly, but to ask that God would bring the I to his . '*» i I A RETROSPECT. 15 of accustoming tny- zing, in order to be gst whom I spent a n found that I could ily thought possible, eased to use; and I with occasional vari- leeds In this way I e for other purposes; myself and the more did my soul become. y, was my happy ex- ight Reality; and all to contemplate going lere to depend upon d help of every kind. gthening for such an :h did not fail, God should prove insuflft- 1 " if we believe not, ' and it was conse- not whether He was I to warrant my em- hina, I shall have no ^ill be on God. How igland to move man, cupied, wished me to This I determined bring the f to his recollection, and thus encourage mc by answering prayer. At one time, as the day drew near for the pay.nc.U of a <,uartcr s salary, was. as usual, much in prayer about it. The time arr.vcd. but my kind friend made no allusion to the matter. I contnnud praying, and days passed on. but he did not remember, until at length on se- lling up my weekly accounts one Saturday night, 1 found niysel possessed of only a single coin-one half-crown piece. Still 1 had hitherto had no lack, and I continued to pray. That Sunday was very happy one. As usual, my heart was full and brimming c ^er with blessing. After attending Divine serme m the morning, my afternoons and evenings were filled with Gospel work in the various lodging-houses T was accustomed to visit in the lowest part of the town. At such times it almost seemed to mc as if heaven were begun below, and that all that could be looked for was an enlargement of one's capacity for joy. not a truer filling than I possessed. After concluding my last service about ten o'clock that night, a poor man a.sked me to go and pray with his wife, saying that she was dying. I readily agreed, and on my way to his house asked him why he had not sent for the priest, as his accent told me he was an Iri-»hman. He had done so. he said, but the priest refused to come without a payment of eighteenpence. which the man did not possess, as the family was starving. Immediately it occurred to my min.l that all the money I had in the world was the solitary half-crown, and that it was in one coin; moreover, that while the basin of water grue I usually took for supper was awaiting me, and there was sutTicient in the house for breakfast in the morning. I certainly had nothing for dinner on the coming day. . . ^ c • • Somehow or other there was at once a stoppage in the flow of joy in my heart; but instead of reproving myself I began to reprove the poor man telling him it was very wrong to have allowed matters to get into such a state as he described, and that he ought to have applied to the reHeving officer. His answer was that he had done so. and was told to come at eleven o'clock the next morning, but that he feared that his wife might not live through the night, "Ah." thought I. "if only I had two shillings and a sixpence instead of this half-crown, how gladly would I give these poor people one shilling of it ! But ;.. part with the half-crown was far from my thoughts. I little dreamed that the real truth of the matter simply was that I could trust m God i iS '& 1 I. h P- I i6 A RETROSPECT. plus one-and sixpence, but was not yet prepared to trust Him only, without any money at all in my pocket. My conductor led me into a court, down which I followed him with some decree of nervousness I had found myself there before, and at my last visit had been very roughly handled, while my tracts were torn to pieces, and I received riuch a warning not to come i again that I felt more than a little concerned. Still, it was the path of duty, and I followed on. Up a miserable flitrht of stairs, Into a wretched rO',m. he led me; and oh what a sight there piesentcd itself to our eycr! Four or five poor children stood about, their sunken cheeks and temples all tellmg unmistakeably the story of slow star- vation; and lying on a wretched pallet was a poor, exhausted mother, with a tiny infant thirty-six hours old, moaning rather than crying at her side, for it, too, seemed spent and failing. " Ah!" thought I, " if I had two shillings and a sixpence instead of half-a-crown, hew gladly should they have one-and-sixpence of it!" But still a wretched unbelief prevented me from obeying the impulse to relieve their dis- tress at the cost of all I possessed. It will scarcely seem strange that I was unable to sav much to comfort these poor people. I needed comfort myself. I began to tell them, however, that thy must not be cast down, that though their circumstances were very distr'^ssing, there was a kind and loving Father in heaven; but something within me said, "You hypocrite! telling these unconverted people about a kind and loving Father in heaven and not prepared yourself to trust Him without half-a-crown!" I was nearly choked. How gladly would I have compromised with conscience if I had a florin and a sixpence! I would have given the florin thankfully and kept the rest; but I was not yet prepared to trust in God alone, without the sixpence. To talk was impossible under these circumstances; yet, strange to say, I thought I should have no difficulty in praying. Prayer was a delightful occupation to me in those davs; time thus spent never seemed wearisome, and I knew nothing of lack of words. I seemed to think that all I should have to do would be to kneel down and engage in rayer, and that relief would come to them and to myself together. " You asked me to come and pray with your wife." I said to the man, "let us pray." And I knelt down. But scarcely had I opened my tips with " Our Father who art in heaven " than A RETROSPECT. t7 I to trust Him only. Iiich I followed him myself there before, iled, while my tracts arning not to come Still, it was the path itrht of stairs, into a there piesentcd itself about, their sunken ; story of slow star- r, exhausted mother, 5 rather than crying . " Ah!" thought I, af half-a- crown, how But still a wretched ; to relieve their dis- able to sav much to myself. I began to ; down, that though /as a kind and loving lid, " You hypocrite! ind loving Father in ithout half-a-crown!" e compromised with I would have given vas not yet prepared stances; yet, strange in praying. Prayer vs; time thus spent of lack of words. I aid be to kneel down )me to them and to )ray with your wife," down. But scarcely art in heaven" than 1 cnnscicncf said within, " Dare you mock God? Pare von kneel down and call Ilim I'athcr with that half-crown in your pocket?" Such a time of conilirt cami' upon mc then as I have never experienced be- fore or since. How I got through that form of prayer I know not, and whether the words uttered were connected or disconnected I can- not fl!; but I axse from my knees in great distress of mind. -^hc poor father turned to me and said, " You see what a terrible state wc arc in, sir; if you can help us. for God's sake do!" Just then the word flashed into my mind, " Give to him that asketh of thee," and in the word of a King there is power. I put my hand into my pocket, and slowly drawing forth the half-crown, nave it to tl..> man. telling him that it might seem a small matter for mc to re- lieve them, seeing that I was comparatively well ofT. but that in parting with that coin I was giving him my all: what I had been trying to tell him was indeed true— God really was a Father, and might be trusted. The joy all came back in full flood-tide to my heart; I could say anything and feel it then, and the hindrance to blessing was gone— gone, I trust, for ever. Not only was the poor woman's life saved, but I realized that my life was saved, too! It might have been a wreck— would have been a wreck, probably, as a Christisn life— had not grace at that time conquered, and the striving of God's Spirit been obeyed. I well re- member how that night, as I went home to my lodgings, my heart was as light as my pocket. The lonely, deserted streets resounded with a hymn of praise which I could not restrain. When I took my basin of gruel before retiring, I would not have exchanged it for a prince's feast. 1 reminded the Lord as I knelt at my bedside of His own A^ord, that he who giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord; I asked Him not to let my loan be a long one. or I should have no dinner next day; and with peace within and peace without. I spent a happy, restful night. Next morning for breakfast my plate of porridgr remaineo, and before it was consumed the postman's knock was heard at the door. I was not in the habit of receiving letters on Monday, as my parents and most of my friends refrained from posting on Saturday: so that I was somewhat surprised when the landlady came in holding a letter or packet in her wet hand covered by her apron. T looked at the letter, but could not make out the handwriting. It was either a 4 i8 A *FTnor.rECT. f %> strange hand or a ft VVlifrc it oatr- from I ■ited one, ^nd the postmark was blurred. :oiil ' not tell. On opening; the envelope I found nothing Wiittiti within; bMt inside a sheet of blank paper was folded a |)air of 1. .i v, loves, from which, as I opened tlicm in astonish- ment, half-a-sovcrcign tell to the ground. "Praise the Lord!" I ex- claimed; "400 per cent, for twelve hours' investment; that is good interest. How ^,'lad the merchants of Hull would he if th^y could lend their money at such a rate!" I then and there determined that a hank which could not break should have my savings or earnings as the case mighl be- a determination I have not yet learned to regret. I cannot tell you how often my mind has recurred to this incident, or all the help it has been to me in circumstances of difficulty in after life. H we are faithful to (iod in little things, we shall gain experi- ence and Strength that will be helpful to us in the more serious trials of life. CHAPTER IV. FURTHER ANSWERS TO PRAYER. THE remarkiible and gracious deliverance I have spoken of was a great joy to me, as well as a strong cr ifirmation of faith; but cf course ten shiihngs, however economically used, will not go very far, and it was none the less necessary to continue in prayer, asking that the larger supply which was till due might be remem- bered and paid. All my petitions, however, appeared to remain unan- swered; and b'iore a fjiuiight had elapsed I found myself pretty 'II H in the sauic position that I had occupied on the Sunday night already made so memorable. Meanwhile, I continued pleading with God, more and more earnestly, that He would graciously remind my employer that my salary was overdue. Of course it was not the want of the money that distressed me— that could have been had at any time for the asking — but the question uppermost in my mind was this: " Can I go to China? or will my want of faith and power with God prove to be so serious an obstacle as to preclude my entering upon this much-prized service?" As the week drew to a close I felt exceedingly embarra^^sed. There was not only myself to consider: on Saturday night a payment would he due to my Christian landlady, which I knew she could not well A RETROSPECT. t9 stmatk was blurred. fniiiR the envelope I :t of blank paper was ncd tlicm in astonish- lisc the Lord!" I ex- stnicnt; that is good »uld he if th»:y couhl there determined that avings or earnings as yet learned to regret, urrcd to this incident, "s of difficulty in after we shall gain experi- hc more serious trials YER. have spoken of was a irniation of faith; but -ally used, will not go o continue in prayer, due might be remem- eared to remain unan- [ found myself pretty on the Sunday night ntinued pleading with graciously remind my se it was not the want have been had at any lost in my mind was f faith and power with preclude my entering y embarra'^sed. There light a payment would :w she could not well dispense with. Ought 1 not. for her sake. t. peak about th< matter of the salary? Yet to do so would be my aH at any rat the ad- mission that 1 was not fitted to unde he was wont, and began to speak o the things of God. He wa.. truly Christian man. and many season- of very happy spiritual fello',^ hip wc had together. I was busily wat. ling, at the time, a pan in .tub a decoction was boiling that requi-ed a good deal of attention, i was indeed fortu- nate for me that i was so, for without any obvio connection with what had bcengoii ,- on, all at once he said, "By-ih -bye, Taylor is not your salary due at, an?" M> emotion may be imaginedl I. had to swallow two or three times before I could answer. With my eye fixed on the pan a d my back to the doctor, I told him as quietly M I could that it w , overdue some little time. How thankful 1 ftlt at that moment! G d surely had heard my prayer, and caused him, in this time of my treat need, to remember the salary without any word or suggestion trom me. He replied, "Oh, I am so sorry you did not remind me! You know how busy I am, I wish I had thought of it a little sooner, for only this afternocii I sent all the money I had to the 1 ank, otherwise I would pay you at once. It is impossible to descr be the revulsion of feeling caused by this un- expected statement. . knew not what to do. Fortunately for me my pan boiled up, and I had a good reason for rushing with it from the room. Glad, indeed. 1 was to get away, and keep out of sigh until after the doctor had returned to his house, and most thankful that he had not perceived my emotion. As soon as he was gone I had to seek my little sanctum and pour i*^ A RETROSPECt. i-. out my heart 'before the Lord for some time, before calmness— ind more than calmness— thankfulness and joy were restored to me. I felt that God had His own way, and was not going to fail me. I had sought to know His will early in the day, and, as far as I could judge, had received guidance to wait patiently; and now God was going to work for me in some other way. ""That evening was spent, as my Saturday evenings usually were, in reading the Word and preparing the subjects on which 1 expected to speak in the various lodging-houses on the morrow. I waited, perhaps, a little longer than usual. At last, about ten o'clock, there being no interruption of any kind, I put on my overcoat, and was preparing to leave for home, rather thankful to know that by that time I should have to let myself in with the latch-key, as my landlady retired early to rest. There was certainly no help for that night; but perhaps God would interpose for me by Monday, and I might be able to pay my landlady early in the week the money I would have given her before had it been possible. Just as I was preparing to turn the gas, I heard the doctor's step in the gsrden, which lay between the dwelHng-house and surgery. He was laughing to himself very heartily, as though greatly amused by something. Entering the surgery, he asked for the ledger, and told me that, strange to say, one of his richest patients had just come to pay his doctor's bill— was it not an odd thing to do? It never •truck me that it might have any bearing on my own particular case, or I might have felt embarrassed; but looking at it simply from the position of an uninterested spectator, I also was highly amused that a man who was rolling in wealth should come after ten o'clock at night to pay a doctor's bill, which he could any day have met by a cheque with the greatest ease. It appeared that, somehow or other, he could not rest with this on his mind, and had been constrained to come at that unusual hour to discharge his liability. The account was duly receipted in the ledger, and the doctor was about to leave, when suddenly he turned, and handing me some of the bank notes just received, said, to my surprise and thankfulness, " By the way, Taylor, you might as well take these notes; I have not any change, but can give you the balance next week." Again I was left— my feelings undiscovered— to go back to my own little closet and praise the Lovd with a joyful heart that after all I might go to China. A fttetROSPfiCt. 2i Imheis— ind more o me. I felt that ae. I had sought IS I could judge, t God was going ngs usually were» which 1 expected orrow. I waited, ten o'clock, there avercoat, and was mow that by that ey, as my landlady Ip for that night; iday, and I might le money I would i the doctor's step ouse and surgery, gh greatly amusedl or the ledger, and ents had just come ; to do? It never wn particular case, it simply from the lighly amused that fter ten o'clock at day have met by a somehow or other, )een constrained to md the doctor was nding me some of i and thankfulness, : notes; I have not sek." Again I was y own little closet - all I might go to ■; To me this incident was not a trivial one; and to recall it some- limes, in circumstances of great difficulty, in China or elsewhere, has ;)ioved no small comfort and strength. By-and-by j;he time drew near when it was thought desirable that should leave Hull to attend the medical course of the London Hos- j)ital. A little while spent there, and then I had every reason to be- lieve that my life-work in China would commence. But much as I had Rejoiced at the willingness of God to hear and answer prayer and to lelp His half-trusting, half-timid child, I felt that I could not go to j:hina without having still further developed and tested my power So rest upon His faithfulness; and a mark"d opportunity for doing mo was providentially afforded me. My dear father had offered to bear all th". expense of my stay in ^ondon. I knew, however, that, owing to recent losses, it would mean a considerable sacrifice for him to undertake this just when it seemed necessary for me to go forward. I had recently become ac- quainted with the Committee of the Chinese Evangelization Society, \n connection with which I ultimately left for China, and especially vith its secretary, my esteemed and much-loved friend, Mr. George ^earse, then of the Stock Exchange, but now and for many years limself a missionary. Not knowing of my father's proposition, the "ommittee also kindly offered to bear my expenses while in London. \Vhen these proposals were first made to me, I was not quite clear Ls to what I ought to do, and in writing to my father and the secre- faries, I told them that I would take a few days to pray about the natter before deciding any course of action. I mentioned to m^ Lther that I had had this offer from the Society, and told the ; ecre- |aries also of his proffered aid. Subsequently, while waiting upon God in prayer for guidance, it aecanie clear to my mind that I could, without difficulty, decline both .jgOffers. The secretaries of the Society would not know that I had cast Iiiyself wholly on God for supplies, and my father would conclude that I had accepted the other offer. I therefore wrote declining both propositions, and felt that without anyone having either care or an- iciety on my account I was simply in the hands of God, and that He, Ivho knew my heart, if He wished to encourage me to go to China, |would bless my effort to depend upon Him alone at home. I m 32 A RETROSPECT. P CHAPTER V. LIFE IN LONDON. " 1MUST not now attempt to detail the ways in which the Lord was pleased— often to my surprise, as well as to my delight- to help me i m time to time. I soon found that it was not possible to live q?iite as ec(momically in London as in Hull. To lessen expenses I shared a room with a cousin, four miles from the hospital, providing myself with board; and after various experiments I found that the most economical way was to live almost exclusively on brown bread and water. Thus I was able to make the means that God gave me last as long as possible. Some of my expenses I could not diminish, but my board was largely within my own control. A large twopenny loaf of brown bread, purchased daily on my long walk from the hospital, furnished me with supper and breakfast; and on that diet, with a few apples for lunch, I managed to walk eight or nine miles a day, besides being a good deal on foot while attending the practice of the hospital and the medical school. One incident that occurred just about this time I must refer to. The husband of my former landlady in Hull was chief officer of a ship that sailed fri)m London, and by receiving his half-pay monthly and remitting it to her I was able to save her the cost of a com- mission. This I had been doing for several months, when she wrote requesting that I would obtain the next payment as early as possible, as her rent was almost due, and she depended upon that sum to meet it. The request came at an inconvenient time. I was working hard for an examination in the hope of obtaining a scholar- ship which would be of service to me, and felt that I could ill af?ord the time to go during the busiest part of the day to the city and procure the money. I had, however, sufficient of my own m hand to enable me to send the required sum. I made the remittance, therefore, purposing, as soon as the examination was over, to go and draw the regular allowance with which to refund myself. Before the time of the examination the medical school was closed for a day. on account of the funeral of the Duke of Wellington, and I had an opportunity of going at once to the office, which was situ- i A RETROSPECT. a3 ys in which the Lord ;11 as to my delight- found that it was not idon as in Hull. To 1, four miles from the er various experiments live almost exclusively make the means that if my expenses I couUi 1 my own control. A daily on my long walk . breakfast; and on that to walk eight or nine ot while attending the ool. time I must refer to. was chief officer of a g his half-pay monthly ler the cost of a com- ■al months, when she (tt payment as early as le depended upon that onvenient time. I was of obtaining a scholar- t that I could ill af?ord le day to the city and nt of my own in hand [ made the remittance, lation was over, to go to refund myself. ?dical school was closed >uke of Wellington, and ; office, which was situ- TO ™, surpHs. and *-;^^f;„ t?. "'".wa; L,., H. »„ip an- Ipay It, as the officer m question ...parked "that is very '"trrsoon ...er ,hi=, po.ibly .h. same -enin. ««>.»»«». ,„„., I accidentally pricked the fir "^sej """y "«f ,^, h„,pi,a, in a few momen,, forgo. aU abou, Ij. Jl" "'»' ^ „, ^ „,„„ who had d,ed "• ''""^ „,„, ,„„,e of ..s who were a. work rn'rdssec.eT!i.h spell care, knowing ,ha. .he sligh.es. scratch ,in,e. a draught o. cold water -vwed me -.nd was .d 1 J ^^^ the students. 1 became more and more unwe 1 ,,y^ .„ the af.ernoon lecture on snrgcry was over fonnd t ™P»»* hold .he pencil and continue .ak,n« notes. By '«"-=' „, lect<..re was through, my whole am. and r ght «de were lire pain, and I was both -'<-2: T^-- , ,,„,,„,. Finding tha. I conld not «»'"™- '""';■. 7, "^H:,, p„, „way my room t. bind up the portj^^n I w^ 3^^^^^^ ^,^^ /,„^ ,,„, , r:::r"rcan::t :^<^l^ >.- come o,er me," describing th. I- si 94 A RETROSPECT. m' f symptoms. "Why," said he, "what has happened is clear enough, you must have cut yourself in dissecting, and you know that this iN a case of malignant fever." I assured him that I had been most careful, and was quite certain tliat I had no cut or scratch. " Well," he replied, "you certainly must have had one;" and he very closely scrutinized my hand to find it, but in vain. All at once it occurred to me that I had pricked my finger the night before, and I asked him if it were possible that a prick from a needle, at that time, could have been still unclosed. His opinion was that this was probably the cause of the trouble, and he advised me to get a hansom, drive home as fast as I could, and arrange my affairs forthwith, " For," he said, " you are a dead man." My first thought was one of sorrow that I could not go to China; but very soon came the feeling, " Unless I am greatly mistaken, I have work to do in China, and .shall not die." I was glad, however, to take the opportunity of speaking to my medical friend, who was a confirmed sceptic as to things spiritual, of the joy that the prospect of perhaps soon being with my Master gave nie; telling him at the same time that I did not think I should die, as, unless I were much mistaken, I had work to do in China; and if so, however severe the struggle, I must be brought through. " That is all very well," he answered, " but you get a hansom and drive home as fast as you can. You have no time to lose, for you will soon be inca- pable of winding up your affairs." I smiled a little at the idea of my driving home in a hansom, for by this time my means were too exhausted to allow of such a pro- ceeding, and I set out to walk the distance if possible. Before long, however, my strength gave way, and I felt it was no use to attempt to reach home by walking. Availing myself of an omnibus from VVhitechapel Church to Farringdon Street, and another from Far- ringdon Street onwards, I reached, in great suffering, the neigh- bourhood of Soho Square, behind which I lived. On going into the house I got some hot water from the servant, and charging her very earnestly— literally as a dying man— to accept eternal life as the gift of God through Jesus Christ, I bathed my head and lanced the finger, hoping to let out some of the poisoned blood. The pain was very severe; I fainted away, and was for some time uncon- ncd is clear enough: oil know that this is at I had been most or scratch. " Well," and he very closely 1 at once it occurred before, and I asked e, at that time, could it this was probably Ret a hansom, drive rs forthwith, " For," uld not go to China; I greatly mistaken. I I was glad, however, lical friend, who was joy that the prospect me; telling him at ie, as, unless I were and if so, however I. "That is all very d drive home as fast u will soon be inca- me in a hansom, for allow of such a pro- )ssible. Before long, as no use to attempt af an omnibus from I another from Far- suffering, the neigh - On going into the t, and charging her ccept eternal life as my head and lanced led blood. The pain r some time uncon- A RETROSPECT. «s scious, so long that when I came to myself 1 found that I had been carried to bed. An uncle of mine who lived near at hand had come in, and sent for his own medical man, an assistant surgeon at the Westminster Hospital. I assured my uncle that medical help would be of no service to me, and that 1 did not wish to go to the expense involved. He, however, quieted me on this score, saying that he had sent for his own doctor, and that the bill would be charged to himself. When the surgeon came and learned all the particulars, he said. " Well, if you have been living moderately, you may pull through; but if you have been going in for beer and that sort of thing, there is no manner of chance for you." I thought that if sober living was to do anything, few could have a better chance, as little but bread and water had been my diet for a good while past. I told him I had lived abstemiously, and found that it helped me in study. " But now," he said, " you must keep up your strength, for it will be a pretty hard struggle." And he ordered me a bottle of port wine every day, and as many chops as I could consume. Again I smiled inwardly, having no means for the purchase of such luxuries. This difficulty, however, was also met by my kind uncle, who sem me at once all that was needed. I was much concerned, notwithstanding the agony I suffered, that my dear parents should not be made acquainted with my state. Thought and prayer had satisfied me that I was not going to (lie, but that there was indeed a work for me to do in China. If my dear parents should come up and find me in that condition, I must lose the opportunity of seeing how God was going to work for me, row that my money had almost come to an end. So. after prayer for guidance, I obtained a promise from my uncle and cousin not to write to my parents, but to leave me to communicate with them myself. I felt it was a very distinct answer to prayer when they gave me this promise, and I took care to defer all communication with them myself until the crisis was past and the worst of the attack over. At home they knew that I was working hard for an examination, and did not wonder at my silence. Days and nights of suffering passed slowly by; but at length, after several weeks, I was sufficiently restored to leave my room; and then I learned that two men, though not from the London Hos- *«ff a6 A RETROSPECT. pital, who had had dissection wounds at the same time as myseh', had both succumbed, wliilc 1 was spared in answer to prayer to work for God in China. CHAPTER VI. ?,'* fa* STRENGTHENED BY FAITH. ONE day the doctor coming in found me on the sofa, and was surprised to learn that with assistance I had walked down- stairs. " Now," he said, " the best thing you can do is to get off to the country as soon as you feel equal to the journey. You must rusticate until you have recovered a fair amount of health and strength, for if you begin your work too soon the consequences may still be serious." When he had left, as I lay very exhausted on the sofa, I just told the Lord all about it, and that I was refrain- ing from making my circumstances known to those who would delight to meet my need, in order that my faith might be strength- ened by receiving help from Himself in answer to prayer alone What was I to do ? And I waited for His answer. It seemed to me as if He were directing my mind to the con- clusion to go again to the shipping office, and inquire about the wages I had been unable to draw. I reminded the Lord that 1 could not aflford to take a conveyance, and that it did not seem at all likely that I should succeed in getting the money, and asked whether this impulse was not a mere clutching at a straw, some mental process of my own, rather than His guidance and teaching. After prayer, however, and renewed waiting upon God, I was con- firmed in my belief that He Himself was teaching me to go to the office. The next question was, " How am I to go ?" I had had to seek help in coming downstairs, and the place was at least two miles away. The assurance was vividly brought home to me that what- ever I asked of God in the name of Christ would be done, that the Father might be glorified in the Son; that what I had to do was to seek strength for the long walk, to receive it by faith, and to set out uiJon it. Unhesitatingly I told the Lord that I was quite willing »r««ww*^fW' ■ f same time as myself, answer to prayer to on the sofa, and was I had walked down- ng you can do is to ijqual to the journey, fair amount of health loon the consequences I lay very exhausted ind that I was refrain- to those who would th might be strength- iwer to prayer alone inswer. my mind to the con- md inquire about the ided the Lord that 1 that it did not seem the money, and asked ling at a straw, some guidance and teaching, ipon God, I was con- :hing me to go to the ?" I had had to seek las at least two miles ome to me that what- 'ould be done, that the hat I had to do was to it by faith, and to set that I was quite willing A RETROSPECT. ^7 -to take the walk if He would give me the .s'trcngth. I asked in the Inamc of Christ that the strength miuht be immediately given; and Iscnding the servant tip to my room for my hat and stick. I set out, |not to attempt to walk, but to milk to Choapside. Although undoubtedly strengthened by faith. I never took so Imuch interest in the shop windows as I did upon that journey. At [every second or third step I was glad to lean a little agaiiist the Iplate glass, and take time to examine the contents of the windows [before passing on. It needed a special effort of faith when I got to [the bottom of Farringdon Street to attempt the toilsome assent of Snow Hill : there was no Holborn Viaduct in those days, and it nad to be done. God did wonderfully help me. and in due time I reach- ed Cheapsidc, turned into the by^strcct in which the office was found I md sat down much exhausted on the steps leading to the first floor, 1 which was my destination. I felt my position to be a little peculiar ' -sitting there on the steps, so evidently spent-and the gentlemen who rushed up and down stairs looked at me with an inquiring ga?e After a little rest, however, and a further season of prayer. I succeeded in climbing the staircase, and to my comfort found in the office the clerk with whom T had hitherto dealt in the matter. Seeing me looking pale and exhausted, he kindly inquired as to my [health and I told him that I had had a serious illness, and was or- ' dered to the countrv. but thought it well to call first, and make fur- 1 ther inquiry, lest there should have been any mistake about the mate ' having run ofT to the gold diggings. " Oh." he said. " I am so glad : vou have come, for it turns out th.it it was an able seaman of the same name that ran away. The mate is still on board ; the ship has iust reached Gravesend. and will be up very soon. I shall be glad to give you the half-pav up to date, for doubtless it will reach his wife more safelv through you. We all know what temptations beset the men when they arrive at home after a voyage. Before, however, giving me the sum of mor.y. he insisted upon my coming inside and sharing his lunch. I felt ,t was the Lord indeed who was providing for me. and accepted his offer with thank- fulness. When I was refreshed and rested, he gave trie a sheetot paper to write a few lines to the wife, telling her of the circum- stances On my way back I procured in Ch-pside a money order {pr thp balance du? to her. and posted it: and returning home ,Ra,n. t 28 A RETROSPECT. t I ( ! \f felt myself now quite justified in taking an omnibus as far as 1: would serve me. Very much better the next morning, after seeing to some little matters that I had to settle, I made my way to the surgery of tlii doctor who had attended me. feeling that, although my uncle w;i prepared to pay the bill, it wa« right for me, now that I had soiu' money in hand, to ask for the account myself. The kind surgcdi refused to allow me, as a medical student, to pay anything for lii attendance; but he had supplied me with quinine, which he allowiM me to pay for to the extent of eight shillings. When that was set tied, I saw that the sum left was just sufficient to take me home and tc my mind the whole thing seemed a wonderful interposition of God on my behalf. I knew that the surgeon was sceptical, and told him that I shouM very much like to speak to him freely, if I might do so without offence; that I felt that under God I owed my life to his kind care, and wished very earnestly that he himself might become a partaker of the same precious faith that I possessed. So I told him my rea son for being in London, and about my circumstances, and why 1 had declined the help of both my father and the officers of t1i( Society in connection with which it was probable that I should go to China. I told him of the recent providential dealings of God with me, and how apparently hopeless my position had been the day before, when he had ordered me to go to the country, unless I wouM reveal my need, which I had determined not to do. I described to him the mental exercises I had gone through; but when I added that I had actually got up from the sofa and walked to Cheap side, he looked at me incredulou.sly, and said, "Impossible' Why, I left you lying there more like a ghost than n man." And T had to assure him acjain and agahn that, strengthened by faith, the waJk had really been taken. I told him also what money was left to mc, and what payments there had been to make, and' showed him that just sufficient remaincl to take me home to Yorkshire, providing for needful refreshment by the way and the omnibus journey at the end. My kind friend was completely broken down, and said, with tears in his eyes. " I would give all the world for a faith like yours." 1, on the other hand, had tb^ joy of telliug him that it was to be I omnibus as far as it] r seeing to some littUJ ■ to the surgery of thi ilthough my uncle wm , now that I had soiik elf. The kind surgeon pay anything for hi< inine, which he allowed s. When that was set lent to take me home; wonderful interposition [ told him that I should [ might do so without ny life to his kind care, ight become a partaker So I told him my re:i cumstances. and why 1 and the ofificers of tlic •bable that I should go ial dealings of God with tion had been the day country, unless I would t to do. I described tparate, and we had rth apain. 1 much as possible. er blessing; I stood moved towards the and the separation • of anpruish wrung kc a knife. I never the world " meant. A RETROSPECT. 33 And I am quite sure that my precious mother learned more of the love of God to the perishing' in that hour than in all her life before. Oh how it must grieve the heart of (iod when He sees His chil- dren indifferent to the needs of that wide world fur wWuU His beldveil, His only begotten Son died! " Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; Forget also thine own people, and thy father's Imuse; So shall the King desire thy beauty: For He is Thy Lord; and worship thou Him," Praise God. the number is increasing who arc finding out the ex- ceeding joys, the wondrous revelations of His tnercies. vouchsaled to those who " follow Him." and emptying themselves, leave all in obedience to His great commission. It was on 19th September, 185,1, that the Dumfries sailed for China; and not until ist March, in the spritiK of the following year, did I arrive in Shanghai. Our voyage had a rough beginning, but many had promised to remember us in con.stant prayer. No mall comfort was this; for we had scarcely left the Mersey wIrt; a violent etininoctial gale caught us, and foi twelve days we were beating backwards and for- wards in the Irish Channel, unable to get out to sea. The gale steadily increased, and after almost a week we lay to for a time; but drifting on a lee coast, we were compelled again to make sail, and endeavoured to beat off to windward. The utmost efforts of the captain and crew, however, were unavailing; and Sunday night, 25th September, found us drifting into Carnarvon Bay, each tack becoming shorter, until at last we were within a stonr'- throw of the rocks. About this time, as the ship, which had refused to stay, was put round in the other direction, the Christian captain said to me, " We cannot live half an hour now: v,hat of your call to labour for the Lord in China ?" I had previously passed through a time of much conflict, but that was over, and it was a great joy to feel nnrf to tell him that I would not for any consideration be in any other position; that I strongly expected to reach China; but that, if otherwise, at any rate the Master would say it was well that I was found seeking to obey His command. Within a few minutes after wearing ship the captain walked up p i ■i"f$^SHf H^L^ 34 A kEfl?OSt»£ct. to the compass, and said to me, "The wind has freed two points, wc shall be able to beat out of the bay." And so we did. The bow- sprit was sprung and the vessel seriously strained; but in a few days we got out to sea, and the necessary repairs were so thoroughly tffected on board that our journey to China was in due time satis- factorily accomplished. One thing was a great trouble to me that night. I was a very young believer, and had not sufficient faith in God to see Him in and through the use of means. I had felt it a duty to comply with the earnest wish of my beloved and honoured mother, and for her sake to procure a swimming belt. But in my own soul I felt as it I could not simply trust in God while I had this swimming belt; and my heart had no rest until on that night, after all hope of being saved was gone, I had given it away. Then I had perfect peace, and, strange to say, put several light things together, likely to float at the time we struck, without any thought of inconsistency or scruple. Ever since, I have seen clearly the mistake I made— a mis take that is very common in these days, when erroneous teaching on faith-healing does much harm, misleading some as to the pur poses of God, shaking the faith of others, and distressing the minds \ of many. The use of means ought not to lessen our faith in God; and our faith in God ought not to hinder our using whatever means He has given us for the accomplishment of His own purposes. For years after this I always took a swimming belt with me, and never had any trouble about it; for after the storm was over, the, question was settled for me, through the prayerful study of the Scriptures. God gave me then to see my mistake, probably to deliver me from a great deal of trouble on similar questions now so constantly raised. When in medical or surgical charge of any case, I have never thought of neglecting to ask God's guidance and blessing in the use of appropriate means, nor yet of omitting to give Him thanks for answered prayer and restored health. But to me it would appear as presumptions and wrong to neglect the use of those measures which He Himself has put within our reach, as to neglect to take daily food, and suppose that life and health might be maintained by prayer alone. The voyage was a very tedious one. We lost a good deal of time on the equator from calms; and when we finally reached the m A RETROSPECT. 35 I has freed two points. I so we did. The bow- ined; but in a few days rs were so thoroughly was in due time satis- it night. I was a very in God to see Him in a duty to comply with ;d mother, and for her ly own soul I felt as it id this swimming belt; after all hope of being n I had perfect peace, together, likely to float It of inconsistency or mistake I made — a mis len erroneous teaching g some as to the pur d distressing the minds :ssen our faith in God; • using whatever means His own purposes, •imming belt with me, ter the storm was over. prayerful study of the mistake, probably lo similar questions now surgical charge of any isk God's guidance and lor yet of omitting to estored health. But to ong to neglect the use it within our reach, as it life and health might 'e lost a good deal of we finally reached the Eastern Archipelago, were again detained from the same cause. Usually a breeze would spring up soon after sunset, and last until about dawn. The utmost use was made of it, but during the d:iy we lay still with flapping sails, often drifting back and losing a good deal of the advantage we had gained during the night. This happened notably on one occasion, when we were in dan- I gerous proximity to the north of New Guinea. Saturday night had brought us to a point some thirty miles off the land; but during the Sunday morning service, which was held on deck, I could not fail to notice that the captain looked troubled, and frequently went over to the side of the ship. When the service was ended, I learnt from him the cause — a four-knot current was carrying us rapidly towards some sunken reefs, and we were already .so near that it seemed improbable that we should get through the afternoon in sarfety. After dinner the long-boat was put out. and all hands en- deavoured, without success, to turn the ship's head from the shore. As we drifted nearer we could plainly see the natives rushing about the sands and lighting fires every here and there. The captain's horn- book informed him that these people were cannibals, so that our position was not a little alarming. After standing together on the deck for some time in silence, the captain said to me, " Well, we have done everything that can be done; we can only await the result." A thought occurred to me. and I replied, " No, there is one thing we have not done yet." " What is it ?" he queried. " Four of us on board are Christians," I answered (the Swedish carpenter and our coloured steward, with the captain and myself): "let us each retire to his own cabin, and in agreed prayer ask the Lord to give us immediately a breeze. He can as easily send it now as at sunset." The captain complied with this propo.sal. T went and spoke to the other two men. and after prayer with the carpenter we all four retired to wait upon God. I had a good but very brief season in prayer, and then felt so satisfied that our request was granted that I could not continue asking, and very soon went up again on deck. The first officer, a godless man. was in charge. T went over and asked him to let down the clews or corners of the mainsail, which had been drawn up in order to lessen the useless flapping of the sail agai^s^ th^ riggtTig. Hp answered, " What would be t^e gqo(i q( k pfi 36 A RETROSPECT. that ?" I told him we had hcen asking a wind from God, that it was coming immediately, and we were so near the reef by this time that there was not a minute to lose. With a look of incredulity and contempt, he said, with an oath, that he would rather see a wind than hear of it! Rut while he was speaking I watched his eye, and followed it up to the royal (the topmost sail), and there, sure enough, the corner of the sail was beginning to tremble in the com- ing 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 pufT of wind). " Cat's-paw or not," I cried, " pray let down the mainsail, and let us have the benefit!" This he was not slow to do. In another minute the heavy tread of the men on the deck brought up the captain from his cabin to see what was the matter; and he saw that the breeze had indeed come. In a few minutes we were ploughing our way at six or seven knots an hour through the water, and the multitude of naked sav- ages whom we had seen on the beach had no wreckage that night. We wer . soon out of danger; and though the wind was sometimes unsteady, we did not altogether lose it until after passing the Pelew Islands. Thus God encouraged me. ere landing on China's shores, to bring every variety of need to Him in prayer, and to exited that He tvould honour the Name of the Lord Jesus, and give the help which each emergency required. CHAPTER IX. RARI.Y MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES. ON landing in Shanghai on ist March, 1S54, I found myself surrounded with diffi'-ulties that were wholly unexpected. A band of rebels, known as the " Red Turbans," had taken possession of the native city, against which was encamped an Im- perial army of from forty' to fifty thousand nlon. who were a much greater source of discomfort and danger to the little European community than were the rebels tbemsei /es. Upon landing, I was told that to live outside the Settlement was impossible, while "within the foreign concession apartme^its wer? scarcely obtainable ^t at^y nd from God, that it the reef by this time a look of incredulity c would rather see a ng I watched his eye, sail), and there, sure ) tremble in the coni- ming ? Look at the •paw," he rejoined (a ;ried, " pray let down linute the heavy tread lin from his cabin to he breeze had indeed ir way at six or seven iltitude of naked sav- wreckage that night. wind was sometimes tcr passing the Pelew n China's shores, to and to exited that He give the help which 7.NCKS. T854, I found myself 2 wholly unexpected. Turbans," had taken vas encamped an Im- Mi. who were a much the little European Upon landing, I was (possible, while -within ely obtainable j»t ar^y A ui:tk(>simut. 17 price. The dollar, now wurfh about three shillings, had risen to a value of eight-and-ninc pence, and the i)r()Spoi-t for one witli only a small income of English money was dark indeed. However, I h.ul thnc letters of introduction, and counted on coun little missionary for a few months the Imperialists in came so dangerous f nightly recurring pt in the daytime, ibed up to a little u?e, to see whether drangle, showering : a ball struck the 1 itself rolled down ounds; and had it spent its force on r kept the ball for Ion the house and /as taken none too removed, the house possible to convey iture, the horrors, ■ a terrible ordeal, iderable. With an lelled, upon moving iventy for rent, and tee of the Chinese n, after the arrival stances, many pain- ?h. Few can realize cer these difficulties 1 of a pioneer who , as to do so would )ft-repcated sugges- 39 tion, "All these things are against me." But oh, how false the word! The cold, and even the hunger, the watchings and sleepless- ness of nights of danger, and the feeling at times of utter isolation and helplessness, were well and wisely chosen, and tenderly and lov- ingly meted out. What circumstances could have rendered the Word of God more sweet, the presence of God more real, the help of God more precious? They were times, indeed, of emptying and humbling, but were experiences that made rot ashamed, and that strengthened purpose to go forward as God ,might direct, with His proved promise, " I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." One can see, even now* that " as for God, His way is perfect," and yet can rejoice that the missionary path of to-day is comparatively a smooth and an ea.sy one. Journeying inland was contrary to treaty arrangements, and at- tended with much difficulty, especially for some time after the battle of Muddy Flat, in which an Anglo-American contingent of about three hundred marines and seamen, with a volunteer corps of less than a hundred residents, attacked the Imperial camp, and drove away from thirty to fifty thousand Chinese soldiers, the range of our shot and shell making the native artillery useless. Still, in the au- tumn of 1854 a journey of perhaps a week's duration was safely accomplished with Dr. Edkins, who of course did the speaking and preaching, while I was able to help in the distribution of h.-oks. CHAPTER X. FIRST EV.XNGELTSTIC EFFORTS. A JOURNEY taken in the spring of i8s5 with the Rev. J. S. Burden, of the Church Missionary Society (now the Bishop of Victoria. Hong-kong), was attended with some serious dangers. In the great mouth of the River Yang-tse, distant some thirty miles to the north of Shanghai, lies the group of islands of which Ts'ung-ming and Hai-men are the largest and most important; and farther up the river, wlierc the estuary narrows away from the sea, is situated the influential city of T'ung-chau. close to Lang- shan, or the Wolf Mountains, famous as a resort for pilgrim de- ■5& i **i« ■■■■irtjil*''-' 40 A KETKOSPKCt. vutees. Wo spciil sonic time in evangelizing on thosf islands, and theu proceeded to Lang-shan, where we preached and gave boolis to thousands of the devotees who were attending an idolatrous [es- tival. From thence we went on tu T'uiig-chau, and of our painful experiences there the following journal will tell: — Thursday, April 26th, 1S35. After breakfast we commended ourselves to the care of our Hea- venly Father, and sought His hlessiirg before proceeding to this great city. The day was dull aud wet. We felt 'persuaded that Satan would not allow us to ass.til his kingdom, as we were attempt- ing to do. without raising serious opposition; but we were also fully assured that it was the will of (iod that we should preach Christ in this city, and distribute the Word of Truth among its people. W'e were sorry that we liad b>it few books left for such an important place: the result, however, proved that this also was pro- vidential. Our native teachers did their best to persuade us not to go into the city; but we delerniiued that, by God's help, nothing should hinder us. We directed thcni, however, to remain in one of the boats; and if we did not return, to learn whatever they could respect- ing our fate, and make all i)Mssible haste to Shanghai with the inior- -mation. We also arranged that the other boat should wait for us, even if we coidd not get back that night, so that we might not be detained for want of a lioat in case of returning later. We then intt niu- books ititi) two bags, and with a scrviuit who always ac- companied us on these occasions, 'ct o(T for the city, distant about seven miles. Walking was out of the i|uestion, from the state of the roads, so we availed ourselves of wheel-barrows, the only convey- ance to be had in these parts. A wheel-barrow is cheaper than a sedan, only rc(|uiring one coolie; but is by no means an agreeable conveyance on rough, dirty roads. We had not gone far liefore the servant ref|uested permission to go back, as he was thoroughly frightened by reports concerning the native soldiery. Of course we at once con.?nl.Hl, not wishing to involve another in trouble, and determined to carry the books ourselves, and look for physical as well as spiritual strength to Him who had promised to supply all our need. those islands, and il and gave boohs an idolatrous fes- and of our painful ipril 26th, 1S55. e care of our Ilea- procceding to this felt •persuaded that IS we were attempi- l)ut we were also we should preach f Truth among its )ks left for such an t this also was pro- L' us not to go into elp, nothing should iiain in one of the ■ they could rcspect- hIku with the inior- should wait for us, it we might not be w'^ later. We then int who always ac- z city, distant about rom the state of the =;, the only convey- v is cheaper than a means an agreeable equested permission ' reports concernin;j: i,?nl?d, not wishing to carry the books ual strength to Him A KliTUDSI'liCT. 4i At this point a respectable man came up, and earnestly warned us against proceeding, saying that if we did we should tind to our sorrow what the T'ung-chau militia were -like. We thaiiked him lor his kindly counsel, hut could not act upon it, as our hearts were fixed. Whether it were to bonds, imprisonment, and death, or whether to distribute our Scriptures and tracts in safety, and return unhurt, we knew not; but we were determined, by the grace <>f God, not to leave T'ung ch.iu .my hm^er witlmut the tlo.'-ptl. nor its teeming thousands to die in uncared-for ignoraiue of tlie Way of life. After this my wheel-barrow man would proceed no further, and I had to seek another, who was fortunately not difticult to tind. A.s we went on, the ride in the mud and rain was anything but agree- able, and we could not help feeling the n'i ii> iB ill' Mm >i I lii A RETROSPECT. 49 habit of leaving our clock in the morning, I suitable station, one nutes, while the other f places, the voice of r two thus occupied, istance from the first, eturncd to our boats esumed our out-door c would go with our hours might be spent qucntly before leaving much truth had been aooks in the hands of urns to his mother at ES FROM Shanghai, ary 26th, 1856. 1 confines me to my r to Dundee, contain s now forty-one days >k. young English mis- tion Society, has been boat, and I in mine— 1 some occasions con- d to tell already more 2Qth. I put on the Chi- raylor had made this le was, in consequence, by the crowd, that I pie. We were at that ighai that we are now, ice had we not met at demanded money and threatened to break our boats if their demands were refused. The l)oatmen were very much alarmed, and insisted on returning to some place nearer home. These people had previously broken in, vio- lently, a part of Mr. Taylor's boat, because their unreasonable de- niaiul 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 him- self 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 Gods 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 im- perfectly fitted without much grace for such a work. And yet grace can make the few and feeble instruments the means of accomplishing great things— things greater than we can even conceive." The incident referred to in this letter, which led to our return to Shanghai more speedily than we had at first intended, took place on the northern border of Cheh-kiang. We had reached a busy market town known by the name of Wu-chen, or Black Town, the inhabit- ants of which, we had been told, were the wildest and most lawless people in that part of the country. Such, indeed, we found them to be: the town was a refuge for salt smugglers and other bad charac- ters. The following extracts are taken from my journal, written at the time: — I ' r January 8th, 1856. Commenced our work in Wu.chen this morning by distributing a large number of tracts and some Testaments. The people seemed much surprised and we could not learn that any foreigner had been here before. We preached twice— once in the temple of the God of War. and afterwards in an empty space left by a fire, which had com- pletely destroyed many houses. In the afternoon we preached again to a large and attentive audience on the same site; andjn the even- ing adjourned to a tea-shop, where we had a good opportunity of speaking until it got noised abroad that we were there, when, too many people coming in, we were obliged to leave. Our native assist- ants, Tsien and Kuei-hua, were able, however, to remain. Returning % I -~ 'fSE? I t !»*^ 50 A RETROSPECT. to our boats, we spoke to a number of people standing on a bridge, and felt we had abundant reason to be thankful and encouraged by the result of our first day's labour. January loth. First sent Tsien and Kuei-hua to distribute some sheet tracts. After their return we went with them, and in a space cleared by fire we separated, and addressed two audiences. On our return to the boats for lunch, we found people waiting, as usual, and desmng books. Some were distributed to those who were able to read tnem: and then asking them kindly to excuse us d\c we took our midday meal, I went into my boat and shut ' ">or. Hardly was there time to pour c ip of tea when a battenng began, and the roof was at once broken in. I went out at the back and found four or five men taking the large lumps of frozen earth turned up in a field close by-weighing, I should suppose, from seven to fourteen pounds each-and throwing them at the boat Re- monstrance was of no avail, and it was not long ere a considerable part of the upper structure of the boat was broken to pieces, and a quantity of earth covered the things inside. Finally, Tsien got a boat that was passing to land him at a short distance, and by a few tracts drew away the attention of the men, thus ending the assault. We now learned that of those who had done the mischief only two were natives of the place, the others being salt smugglers, and that the cause was our not having satisfied their unreasonable demand for books. Most providentially, no one was injured; and as soon as quiet was somewhat restored, we all met in Mr. Burns boat and joined in thanksgiving that we had been preserved from persona harm, praying also for the perpetr&tors of the mischief, and that it might be overruled for good to us and to those with us. We then took our lunch and went on shore, and but a few steps from the boats addressed a large multitude that soon assembled. We were specially assisted; never were we heard with more attention, and not one voice was found to sympathize with the men who had molested us In the evening, at the tea-shops, the same spirit was manifested, and some seemed to hear with joy the glad tidings of salvation through a crucified and risen Saviour. As we came home we passed a barber's shop still open, and I went in, Und while getting my head shaved had an opportunity of VI ; nWLWMWk, •J^c-i •*'« landing on a bridge, and encouraged by January loth. ; some sheet tracts, space cleared by fire n our return to the usual, and desiring e able to read them, we took our midday tea when a battering vent out at the back, imps of frozen earth hould suppose, from lem at the boat. Re- ig ere a considerable )ken to pieces, and a ally, Tsien got a boat i, and by a few tracts the assault, the mischief only two t smugglers, and that easonable demand for red; and as soon as Mr. Burn's boat and served from personal mischief, and that it se with us. We then a few steps from the assembled. We were ore attention, and not len who had molested spirit was manifested, 1 tidings of salvation hop still open, and 1 lad an opportunity of A RETROSPECT. 51 speaking to a few people, and afterwards pasted a couple of sheet tracts on the wall for the benefit of future customers. January nth. A respectable shop-keeper of the name of Yac, who on the first or second day of our stay at Wu-chen had received portions of the New Testament and a tract, came yesterday, when our boat was broken to beg for some more books. At that time we were all in confusion from the damage done, and from the earth thrown Into the boat and so invited him to come again in a day or two's time, when wc would gladly supply him. This morning he appeared and handed in the following note:— " On a former day I begged Burns and Taylor, the-two ' Rabbis,' to give me good books. It happened at that time those of our town whose hearts were deceived by Satan, not knowing the Son of Davtd, went so far as to dare to ' raca' and ' tnoreh' and injure your re- spected boat. I thank you for promising afterwards to give the books, and beg the following: Complete New Testament, ' Discourse of a Good Man when near his Death,' ' Important Christian Doc- trines,' an Almanac, 'Principles of Christianity.' 'Way to Make the World Happy '-of each one copy. Sung and Tsien, and all teachers I hope are well. Further compliments are unwritten." This note is interesting, as showing that he had been reading the New Testament attentively, as the italicised words were all taken from it. His use of "raca" and "moreh" for reviling, shows their meaning was not lost upon him. After supplying this man, we went out with Tsien and Kuei -hua to the east of the town, and spoke in the street for a short tinie. Upon returning to the boats. I was visited by two Chih-h men, who are in the magistrate's office here. I was greatly helped in speakmg to them of a crucified Saviour in the Mandarin dialect; and though one of them did not pay much attention, the other did. and made inquiries that showed the interest he was feeling. When they had left I went on shore and spoke to the people collected there to whom Kuei-hua had been preaching. The setting sun afforded a parable, and reminded one of the words of Jesus, The night cometh when no man can work." and as I spoke of the uncertain duration of I I Sa A RETROSPECT. %': h* 1 1; this life, and of our ignorance as to the time of Christ's return, a degree of deep seriousness prevailed that I had never previously wit- nessed in China. I engaged in prayer, and the greatest decorum was observed. 1 then returned to my boat with a Buddhist priest who had been in the audience, and he admitted that Buddhism was a system of deceit that could give no hope in death. January i2th. In the afternoon we addressed the people on shore close to our boats, also in one of the streets of the city, and in a tea-shop, books being distributed on each occasion. In the evening we went as usual to speak in the tea-shops, but determined to go to the opposite end of the town,.in order to afford those who lived there a better oppor- tunity of meeting with us. It was a long straggling place, nearly two English miles in length. As Mr. Burns and \ were accustomed to talk together in Chinese, this conclusion was known to those in ihe boats. After we had proceeded a short distance we changed our minds, and went instead to the usual tea-shop, thinking that persons might have gone there expecting to meet us. But this was not the case; and we did not hnd such serious hearers as we had done on previous occasions. On this account Mr. Burns proposed leaving earlier than usual, and we did so, telling Tsien and Kuei-hua that they might remain a little longer. Returning to the boats, we gave away a few books; but, singularly enough, were left to go alone, no one accompanying us, as is so generally the case. Instead of being a clear night, as it was when we started, we found that it had become intensely dark. On our way we met the boatman, whose manner seemed very strange, and, without giving us any explanation, he blew out the candle of our lantern; we relighted the lantern, telhng him not to put it out again, when, to our .surprise, he de'-iberatelv removed the candle and threw it into the canal. He then walked down along a low wall jutting out to the river's edge, and gazed into the water. Not knowing what was the matter with him, I ran forward to hold him, fearful lest he were going to drown himself; but to my great relief he came quietly back. In answer to our repeated questions he told us not to speak, for some bad men were seeking to destroy I A RETROSPECT. 53 of Christ's return, a never previously wit- the greatest decorum ith a Buddhist priest that Buddhism was a nh. January 12th. )n shore close to our i in a tea-shop, books ning we went as usual o to the opposite end there a better oppor- raggling place, nearly nd \ were accustomed as known to those in 'C changed our minds, ng that persons might this was not the case, had done on previous )posed leaving earlier id Kuei-hua that they e boats, we gave away ft to go alone, no one e. Instead of being a ind that it had become jatman, whose manner IS any explanation, he ited the lantern, telling urprise, he deliberately anal. He then walked •iver's edge, and gazed 1, I ran forward to hold nself; but to my great our repeated questions were seeking to destroy Ithe. boats, and they*liad moved away to avoid them. He then leii [us to the place where one of them was lying. Before long Tsien l;iiid Kuei-hua came and got safely on board, and soon after we were [joined by the teacher Sung, and the boat moved away. The cause of all this disturbance was then explained. A man pro- Ifcssing to be the constable had come to the boats in our absence, with a written demand for ten dollars and a quantity of opium. He {stated that there were more than fifty country people (salt smug- tglers) awaiting our reply in an adjoining tea-shop; and if we gave them what they wanted, and three hundred cash to pay for their tea, we might remain in peace; but that if not, they would come at once land destroy our boats. Sung told them that we could not comply with their demand; for, not being engaged in trade, but only in ^ preaching and book-distribution, we had not an atom of opium, and that our money was nearly all expended. The man, however, told [him plainly that he did not believe him, and Sung had no alterna- tive but to seek us out, desiring the man to await our reply. Not knowing that we had changed our plans, he sought us in the wrong I direction, and of course in vain. In the meanwhile the boatmen had succeeded in moving off. They were very much alarmed; and having so recently had proof of what these men would do in open daylight, felt no desire to experience what they might attempt by night. Moving away, therefore, they had separated, so that if one boat should be injured the other might atTord us a refuge. It was after this that we had providentially met the boatman, and had been safely led on board. As Sung repassed the place where we were previously moored, he saw between the trees a dozen or more men, and heard them inquiring where the boats had gone to; but no one could tell. Fortunately they sought in vain. After a while the two boats joined, and rowed together for some time. It was already late, and to travel by night in that part of the country was not the way to avoid danger from evil men; so the question arose as to what should be done. This we left for the boatmen to decide; they had moved off of their own accord, and we felt that whatever we personally might desire we could not constrain others to remain in a position of danger on our account. Wc urged them, however, to do quickly whatever they intended to *. o, as the morrow was the Lord's Day, when we should not wish to travel. Sri_ 54 A RETROSPECT. n } \'2 We also informed them thai wherever we were we must {alfil our mission, and preach the Gospel; it therefore nade but little difference where we might stay, for even if we passed the night unperceived, we were sure to be found out on the following morning. The •aeii consequently concluded that we might as well return to the place from which we had started; to this we fully agreed, and they turned back accordingly. But— whether by accident or no we could not tell— they got into another stream, and rowed for some time they knew not whither. At last, as it was very dark, they moored for ;he i ight. We then called all the boatmen together, with our native assi.st- ants, and read to them the ninety-first Psalm. It may be ima^'lned how appropriate to our position and need and how sweetly consol- ing was this portion of God's Word: — " He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shado>; 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 ^halt 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 htm, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him— and show him My salvation.' Committing ourselves in prayer to His care and keeping Who had covered us with thick darkness and permitted us to escape from the hand of the violent, we retired for the night; which-thanks to the kind protection of the Watchman of Israel, who neither slumbers nor forgets His people-we passed in peace and quietness, and were enabled, in some measure, to realize the truth of that precious word, "Thou art my Hiding-place, and my Shield." ^^., IWn 'i^l'^'t-^r- A RETROSPECT. 55 Sunday, January ijlh. we must {alfil our t)Ut little difference night unperceived, orning. The >aeii eturn to the place d, and they turned no we could not me time they knew ored for ;he light our native assist- may be imagined )w sweetly consol- it HiRh y fortress: the fowler. sr His wings -.halt t; will I deliver him. My Name. 1, and honour him. My salvation."' and keeping Who us to escape from which — thanks to JO neither slumbers quietness, and were ihat precious word, This morning I was awakened about 4 a.m. by viol-nt rain in- tlic knee-joint. I had bruised it the day before, and severe mflam- niation was the result. To my great surprise I heard the ram p-ur- ,nK down in torrents, the weather having previously been particu- 1 ,rly fine. On looking QUt, we found ourselves so near cur former .topping-place, that, had nothing happened to prevent it. wc .>*hould not have felt justified in neglecting to go in^o the town to preach -,s usual; but the rain was so heavy all day that no one could leave the boats. Thus we enjoyed a delightful day of rest, sucli as we had not had for some time; and the weather prevented much mqu.ry being made for us. Had the day been fine we should most Itkely hive been discovered, even if we had not left the boats. As .t was we were allowed to think in peace, with wonder and gratnude. of the gracious dealings of our God, who had thus led us apart into a desert place " to rest awhile. ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^ A cloudless morning. One of the native assistants ;^<="t J^fl^V" .hvbreak to get some dothes which had been given out for washtng. He' «mVback witn the tidings that notwithstanding the d en,, rtin of yesterday, men had been seeking us m all directions. We ;:;;d been Lpt. Lwever, in peace and safety "under the shadow of %T[t^cn were now so thoroughly alarmed that they w^^d stay no longer, and moved of! at dawn. ^ --^-"^"^^i^^^ „ u>r« by lameness, and had no alternative but *« ^^^'^J^^^^ the afternoon we reached Ping-wang, on the way to Shanghai. " 111 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." 56 A RETROSPECT. & -'** CHAPTER XII. CALLED TO SWATOW. HAVING to leave the neighbourhood of Black Town thus unexpectedly was a real disappointment to us, as wc had hoped to spend some time evangelizing in that district. We were to prove, however, that no unforeseen mischance had hap pened. but that these circumstances which seemed so trying' wvu necessary 'inks in the chain of a divinely ordered providence, guid ing to other and wider spheres. God does not permit persecution to arise without sufficient re.i son. ... He was leading us by a way that we knew not; but it was none the less His way. " O Lord, how happy should we be If we would cast our care on Thee, If we from self would rest; And feel at heart that One above, In perfect wisdom, perfect love, Is working for the best ! " When we reached Shanghai, thinking to return inland in a few days with fresh supplies of bocks and money, we met a Christian captain who had been trading at* Swatow, and he put very strongly before us the need of that region, and the fact that there were British merchants living on Double Island, selling opium and engaged in the coolie trade (practically a slave traffic), while there was no British missionary to preach the Gospel. The Spirit of God impressed mc with the feeling that this was His call, but for days I felt that I could not obey it. I had never had such a spiritual father as Mr. Burns; I had never known such holy, happy fellowship; and I said to myseli that it could not be God's will that we should separate. In great unrest of soul I went one evening, with Mr. Burns, to take tea gt the house of the Rev. R. Lowrie, of the American Presby- terian Mission, at the South Gate of Shanghai. After tea Mrs. Lowrie played over to us "The Missionary Call."* I had never heard it before, and it greatly affected me. My heart was almost broken 'hr- *'»'.* '■fti'^.Jf* Mack Town thus us, as we had in that district. ischancc had hap il so trying wevf providence, guiil out sufficient rc.i knew not; but it n inland in a few e met a Christian put very strongly there were British n and engaged in lere was no British God impressed mc I felt that I could her as Mr. Burns; nd I said to myself parate. vith Mr. Burns, to I American Presby- :er tea Mrs. Lowric lad never heard it was almost broken A RETROSPr.Ct. 57 Itifore it was finished, and I said to the Lord, in the wprds 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; 1 only pray, God, make me holy, And my spirit nerve for the stern hour of strife." Upon leaving I asked Mr. Burns to come hotue with me to the little house that was still my headquarters in the native city, and tlicre, with many tears, told him how the Loru had been leading me, and how rebellious I had been and unwilling to leave him for tills new sphere of labour. He listened with a strange look of sur- prise, and of pleasure rather than pain; and answered that he had determined that very night to tell me that he had heard the Lord's ( ,ill to Swatow, and that his one regret had been the prospect of the severance of our happy fellowship. We went together, and thus was recommenced missionary work in that part of China, which in later years has been so abundantly blessed. Long before this time the Rev. R. Lechler, of the Basel Mission- ary Society, had widely itinerated in the neighbourhood of Swatow and the surrounding regions. Driven about from place to place, he had done work that was not forgotten, although ultimately he was obliged to retire to Hongkong. P'or more than forty years this ( arncst-hearted servant of God has continued in " labours more abundant " ; and quite recently he has left Hong-kong, with his devoted wife, to return again inland, and spend the strength of his remaining years amongst the people he has so long and truly loved. Captain Bowers, the Christian friend who had been used of God in bringing the needs of Swatow before Mr. Burns and myself, was overjoyed when he heard of our decision to devote ourselves to the evangelization of that busy, important, and populous mart. Being about to sailthimself on his return journey, he gladly offered us free passages, on board the Geelong. in which we left Shanghai early in the month of March, 1856. A favourable journey of six day.s brought us to Double Island. 4. n i* 58 A RETROSPECT. \ f where we found ourselves landed in the midst of a small but very ungodly community of toreigners. engaged in the opium trade and other commercial enterprises. [Tnwilling to be in any way identifiai with these fellow-countrymen, we were most desirous of obtamuig quarters at once within the native city, situated on a promontory (,i the mainland, five miles further up, at the mouth of the Han nvcr. Great difficulty was experienced in this attempt to obtam a footing amongst the people. Indeed, it seemed as though we should fail| altogether, and we were helplessly ca-t upon the Lord in prayer. Our God soon undertook for us. Meeting one day with a Can- tonese merchant, a relative of the highest official in the town, Mr, Burns addressed him in the Cantonese dialect; this gentleman was so pleased at being spoken to by a foreigner in his own tongue that he became our friend, and secured us a lodging. We had only une| little room, however, and not easily shall I forget the long hot sum- mer months in that oven-like place, where towards the eaves one could touch the heated tiles with one's hand. More room or better| accommodation it was impossible to obtain. We varied our stay by visits to the surrounding country; but the difficulties and dangers that encountered us here were so great and constant, that our former work in the North began to appear sale and easy in companion. The hatred and contempt of the Cantonese was very painful, " foreign devil," " foreign dog," or " foreign pig being the commonest appellations; but all this led us into deeper fellowship than I had ever known before with Him who was " de- spised and rejected of men." _ 1 In our visits to the country we were liable to be seized at anyl time and held to ransom; and the people commonly declared that| the whole district was "without emperor, without ruler, and with out law." Certainly might was right in those days. On one occa- sion we were visiting a small town, and found the inhabitants had captured a wealthy man of another cltm. A large ransom was de- manded for his release, and on his refusing to pay it they had smashed his ankle-bones, one by one, with a club, and thus extorted the promise they desired. There was nothing but God's, protection to prevent our being treated in the same way. The towns were all walled, and one such place would eontain ten or twenty thousitnd people of the same clan and surname, who were frequently at war ^ ite- A RETROSPECT. 59 )f a small but vcryl e opium trade and any way identified sirous of obtaining )n a promontory u\\ 1 of the Han river to obtain a footing | ugh we should fail le Lord in prayer] 5 day with a Can- il in the town, Mr this gentleman was! lis own tongue tliall We had only unej t the long hot suin- ards the eaves one I lore room or betterl ng country; but the! ; were so great and I (gan to appear sale I ipt of the Cantonesej ," or " foreign pig led us into deeper Him who was " de- to be seized at any monly declared that out ruler, and with- days. On one occa- the inhabitants had rge ransom was de- r it they had smashed d thus extorted the God's, protection toj The towns were all • or twenty thousand :re frequently at war] with the people living in the next town. To he kindly received in otie place was not uncommonly a source of danger in the next. In rcumstaiiccs such as these the preserving care of our God w;»'- ( iff en manifested. After a time the local mandarin became ill, and the native doctors were unable to relieve him. lie had heard from some who had been iindi r my treatment of the benefit derived, and was led to seek our lulp. God blessed the medicines given, and gratefid for relief, he ridviscd our renting a house for a hospital and dispensary. Having his permission, we were able to secure the entire premises, one room of which we had previously occupied. I had left my stock of medi- rine and surgical instruments under the care of my friend, the late ^Tr. Wylie, in Shanghai, and 'vent back at once to fetch them. Mr. Burn"? came down from a town called Am-po, that we had visited together several times, to see me off, and returned again when I had sailed, with two native evangelists sent up from Hong- kong by the Rev. J. Johnson, of the American Baptist Missionary Union. The people were willing to listen to their preaching, and to nrcept their books as a gift, but they would not buy thf-m. One night robbers broke in and carried off everything they had, with the excep- tion of their stock of literature, which was su posed to be valueless. Next morning, very early, they were knocked up by persons wishing to buy books, and the sales continued: so that by breakfast time they hnd not only cash enough to procure food, but to pay also for the passage of one of the men to Double Island, below Swatow, with a letter to Mr. Burns' agent to supply him with money. Purchasers continued coming during that day and the next, and our friends la.lvcd nothing; but on the third day they could not sell a single book. Then, however, when the cash from their sales was just exhausted, the messenger returned with supplies. It was early in July, after about four months' residence in Swa- tow, that I left for Shanghai, intending to return in the course of a few weeks, bringing with me my medical apparatus, for further work in association with the Rev. William Burns. A new and promising field seemed to be opening before us. and it was with much hopeful anticipation that we looked forward to the future of the work. Marked blessing was indeed in store for the city and neighbourhood of Swatow; but it was not the purpose of God that either of us r 60 A RETROSPECT. should remain to reap the harvest. Mr. Rurns while in the interio- was taken up and imprisoned by the Chinese autlioritits soon aftc I left, and was sent to Canton. And thoiiRh he returned to hwatow after the war had broken out. he was called away (or o.htr service, which prevented his subsequent return; while my jou' '.ev to Sl< -sik- hai fToved to be the first step in a diverging pathway l acl= *g to clhcr spheres. ' "The Missionary Call." I. My soul is not at rest. There comes a strange and secret whisper to my spirit, like a dream of night, that tells mc I am on enchanted ground. CHORUS FOR FIRST FOUR VERSES. The voire of my departed Lord. " Go, teach all nations," Comes on the night air and awakes mine ear. 2. Why live I here? the vows of God are | on mc; | and I may not stop to play with shadows or pluck earthly | flowers, 1 till I my work have done, and | rendered up ac 1 count. 1 And I will I go ! I I niav no longer doubt to give up friends, and idol I hopes, I and every tie that binds my heart to 1 thee, my I 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. 1 has gained at la.st that blessed | shore, | Oh! how this heart will glow with | gratitude and | love. CHORUS FOR LAST VERSE. Through ages of eternal years, my spirit never shall repent, that W» ap^ suflFerine once were mine below. ■MMiMn'lllil I 11 I - for the night, and then I will pay you for your trouble ?" He was willing to befriend me, and we set off in search of lodgings. At the first place or two the people would not receive me; for though on our first going in they seemed willing to do so, the presence of a man who followed us, and who, I found, was engaged in one of the Gov- ernment offices, seemed to alarm them; at'd I was re'used. We now went to a third place, and being no. longer followed by the mandarin s messenger, we were promised quarters; some tea was brought, and I paid the man who had accompanied mc for his trouble. Soon after he was gone some official people came in; they soon went away, but the result of their visit was that I was told I could I 64 A RETROSPECT, p " I heal the sick." "Oh! you are a physician." the landlord rcnsarked: and to my intense relief closed the book. His wife, however, took up the con- versation. 1 1 f *i •' Yuu arc a physician, arc you ?" said she; 'I ani glad of that, for I have a daughter aftlicicd with leprosy. If you will cure her, you shall have your supper and bod for nothing." I was curious enough to inciuire what my supper and bed were to cost, if paid for; and to my amusement found they were worth less than three-halfpence of our money ! Being unable to benefit tlie girl, I declined to prescribe for her, saying that leprosy was a very intractable disease, and that I had no medicines with me. The mother, however, brought pen and paper, urging, " You can at least write a prescription, which will do no harm, if it does no good." , , 1 u„ 1 But this also I declined t>d m one or two places. More than three hundred cash also were dedt-.cted from its price on this account, which was a serious loss to me in my trying position. I then sought throughout the town U>r tidings of my servant and coolies, as T thought it possible that they might have arrived later, or have come on in the morning. The town is large, long, and strag- gling, being nearly two miles from one end to the other, so this occupied some time. I gained no information, however; and, foot- sore and weary, set out for Hai-ning in the full heat of the day. The ed: and to my )ok up the con- ii; glad of that, I will cure her, ind bed were to were worth less rescribe for her, d that I had no ging, " You can 11, if it does no ; shown my bed. md-floor, where, e night, without ut any mosquito I the same room, ig stolen; but I le on. August 5th. tfreshed, and felt kfast was obtain- d get change for being chi ';).'d in so were dedv.cted loss to me in my f my servant and ive arrived later. . long, and strag- iie other, so this fever; and, foot- of the day. The A RETROSPECT. 65 journey— about eight miles- took me a long time; but a halfway vil- lage afforded u resting place and a cup of tea, both of which I gladly availed myself ot. When about to leave again, a hea#y shower of rain came on, aud the delay thus occasioned enabled me to speak a little to the people about the truths of the Gospel. The afternoon was far spent before I approached the northern suburb of Hai-ning, where I commenced inquiries, but could hear no tidings of my servant or things. I was told that outside the East Gate I should be more likely to hear of them, as it was there the sca- junks called. I therefore proceeded thither, and sought for them out- side the Little East Gate, but in vain. Very weary, I sat down in a tea-shop to rest; and while there a number of persons from one of the mandarin's offices came in, and made inquiries as to who I was, where I had come from, etc. On learning the object of my search, one of the men in the tea-shop said, "A bamboo box and a bed, such as you describe, were carried past here about half an hour ago. The bearer se^UiCd to be going towards either the Great East Gate or the South Gate; you had better go to the hongs there and inquire." I asked him to accompany me in the search, and promised to reward him for his trouble, but he would not. Another man offered to go with me, so wc set off together, and both inside and outside the two gates made diligent inquiries, but all in vain. I then engaged a man to make a thorough search, promising him a liberal reward if he should be successful. In the meantime I had some dinner, and ad- dressed a 'argc concourse of people who had gathered together. When he returned, having met with no success, I said to him, "I am now quite exhausted: will you help me to find quarters for the night, and then I will pay you for your trouble ?" He was willing to befriend me, and we set off in search of lodgings. At the first place or two the people would not receive me; for though on our first going in they seemed willing to do so, the pres • of a man w, 'ollowed us, and vl". I f( ,nd, was engaged in 01 v the Gov- ernment offices, seemed io alarm th^ 1, and I was refused. We now went to a third place, and being no.luiiger followed by the mandarin s messenger, we were promised ^ ■"'ters; some t... uos brought, and I paid the man who had accomi.anied me for hi'= tr.-vjble. Soon after he was gone some official people carne in; they soon went away, but the result of their visit was that I was told I could I I 9 66 A RETROSPECT. not he entertaine*' the- that night. A young man present blamed (! em for th.^j-- heartless behaviour, and said, " Never mind, come with me, and if we cMirxoi get better lodgings for you, you shall sleep at our house." ' w« ui. with him. but we found the people of his house unwiihvT to receive uie. Weary and footsore, so that I could scarcely stand, 1 had again to seek quarters, and at length got promise of them; but a little crowd collecting about the door, they desired me to go to a tea-shop and wait there till the people had retired, or they would be unable to accommodate me. There was no help for it, so I went, accompanied still by the young man, and waited till past mid- night. Then we left for the promised resting-place; but my conductor -ould not find it, and he led me about to another part of the city; and finally, between one and two o'clock, he left me to pass the rest of the night as best I could. I was opposite a temple, but it was closed; so I lay down on the stone steps in front of it, and putting my money under my head for a r.illow, should soon have been asleep in spite of the cold had I not perceived a person coming stealthily towards me. As he approached I saw he was one of the beggars so common in China, and had no doubt his intention was to rob me of my money. I did not stir, but watched his movements, and looked to my Father not to leave me in this hour of trial. The man came up, looked at me for some time to assure himself that I was asleep (it was so dark that he could not see my eyes fixed on him), and then began to feel about nje gently. I said to him in the quietest tone, but so as to convince him that I was not, nor had oeen, sleeping, " What do you want ?" He made no answer, but went away. I was very thankful to see hins go, and when he was out of sight ptit as much of my cash as would not go into my pocket safely up Aty sleeve, and made my pillow of a stone projection of the wall. It ^ not long ere I began to doze, but T was aroused by the all but 1 u. eless footsteps of two persons approaching; for my nervous sys- .em was rendered so sensitive by exhaustion that th* slightest noise tartled me. Again I sought protection from Him who alone was my stay, and lay still as before, till one of them came up and began i") feel under my head for the cash. I spoke again, and they sat ..\: v/n at my feet. I asked them what they were doing; they replied ri..it they, like me, were going to pass the night there. I then ^jL (resent blamed ind, come with 1 shall sleep at le of his house could scarcely jot promise of t desired me to etired, or they lelp for it, so I 1 till past mid- : my conductor irt of the city; o pass the rest ly down on the er my head for cold had I not he approached na, and had no iid not stir, but ot to leave me ; for some time at he could not 3out me gently, ince him that I It ?" He made vas out of sight jocket safely up of the wall. It d by the all but my nervous sys- * slightest noise who alone was le up and began n, and they sat ig; they replied there. I then A RETROSPECT. 67 requested them to take the opposite side, as theie was plenty of room, and leave this side to me; but they would not move from my feet, so I raised myself up and set my back against the wall. They said, "You had better lie down and sleep; if you do not, you will be unable to walk to-morrow. Do not be atraid; we shall not leave you, and will see that no one hurts you." ''Listen to me." I replied. "I do not want your protection; I need it not; I am not a Chinese; I do not worship your senseless, helpless idols. I worship God; He is my Father; I trust in Him. 1 know well what you are, and what your intentions are, and shall keep my eye on you, and shall not sleep." On this, one of them went away, but soon retrrned with a third companion. I felt very uneasy, but looked to God for help. Once or twice one of them got up to see if I was asleep. I only said, " Do not be mistaken; I am not sleeping." Occasionally my head dropped, ^and this was a signal for one of them to rise; but I at one* roused myself and made some remark. As the night slowly passed on, I felt very weary; and to keep myself awake, as well as to cheer my mind, I sang several hymns, repeated aloud some portions of Scrip- ture, and engaged in prayer in English, to the great annoyance of my companions, who seemed as if they would have given anything to get me to desist. After that they troubled me no more; and shortly before dawn of day they left me, and I got a little sleep. August 6th. I was awakened by the young man who- had so misled me on the previous evening. He was very rude, and insisted on my getting up and paying him for his trouble, and even went so far as to try to ac- complish by force what he wanted. This roused me: and in an unguarded moment, with very improper feeling. I seized his arm with such a grasp as he little expected I was capable of. and dared him to lay a finger upon me again or to annoy me further. This quite changed his manner: he let me quietly remain till the guns announced the opening of the gates of the city, and then he begged me to give him some money to buy opium with. It is needless to say this was refused. I gave him the price of two candles, that he said he had burnt while with me last night, and no more. I learned he was connected with one of the mandarin's offices. ! I ! I m 5^' gg A RETROSPECT. A. .con as possible. I ^ou^^^ ^ ^^^^^^^ it^l.T ^: "^^^■ fast, and then once more made - P^ "^^^ f\^^ ^„, ,„ ^he return Some hours thus spent proving ""^^'''^f^ , ^^,^ .cached Chang- lourney. and ^^-^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ - ^^^e me any trace gan about noon. Here also my 1 .^ ^ ^^^ ^^^p^ g^^ t*:,^:rrrM.h:.' "naa^ea >ee., and a,.e. «n„e, ..ea and slept till four in the afternoon. ^" MuJh refreshed. I then set -^^l^^^Zl^'^^^jt^Z Gate of which I ^ad Parted -Uh '^^^^^^^^^^ God. and before. On the way I was '^^ /^/f "=^ °" ^^ ^ , that I might be recollected that I had not made ,t a "^^"^ ^^^^J^^^^^ too. that I provided with lodgings la.t n,ght. I eU condom ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ should h.ve been so anxious ^° ^ ^^^j^J'^^^^iion. 1 came as a , precious souls around me ^^d -used so htf^e emo ^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^^ sinner and pleaded the blood of Jesus, ^^^^^ ^j j^^^,, how in Hiu, -pardoned, cleansed. ^^^^^'^^^^r^^^J^, th^^ I had ever pre- ,reat I felt it to be I ^^'^--J-t," l^-^ ^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^ 'r viously known of what it was to J^ « P ^^^^ ^ ^^^^ ^^^^ nowhere to lay one's head; and I ^^^ /"^ ^ ^lim to leave His before the greatness of that '«- ^^.h inducf H ^^^ ^^^ ^.^^ home in glory and suffer thu^^"'^ "^^^ T" despfsed and rejected of upon the Cross. I ^Hought of H m as ^^ P j ^^^^^^t of .en. a Man of -J^^ J^^^gTy and ^^^^^^^ ''' '"'^"" '' ""''' Him at Jacob's well, weary. """8'^^' contrasted this with my „eat and drink to do His Fathers wU -d ^-t^rast^^ ^^^ littleness of love. I looked o Him for pa ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^ grace and strength .o do H is v„ Hn t^e " ^.^ ^ ^^^^, in His footsteps and be "^or^^^" 7^'^ brethren in the work, myself, for friends in Engla i^ and^or rny ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ J I A RETROSI'ECT. (^ :a for break- • tnv things, n the return ched Chang- me any trace i-shop, got a dinner rested at the South lies two days s of God, and at I might be I. too. that I lile the many I came as a , was accepted of Jesus, how had ever pre- d, and to have tt I had done 1 to leave His n His very life nd rejected of I thought of finding it His d this with my e past, and for id more closely I prayed for 1 in the work. r, the road was lad reached my ea, asked about ;n I entered the h Gate. the communion ible to finish the ig. Firstlweit into another tea-shop to buy some native cakes, and was making a meal of them when who should come in but one of the identical coolies who had carried my things the first stage. From him I learned that after I left them they had taken my luggage to the South Gate; there my servant went away, saying on his return that I had gone on, that he did noit intend to start at once, but would spend the day with his friend, and then rejoin me; they carried the things to this friend's house, and left them there. I got him to go with me to the house, and there learned that the man had spent the day and night with them, and next morning had called other coolies, and set off for Hang-chau. This was all I could gather; so, unable to do any- thing but proceed on my return journey to Shanghai with all expedi- tion, I left the city again. It was now too late to go on to Shih- mun-wan. I looken o my Father as able to supply all my need, and received another token of His ceaseless love and care, being invited to sleep on a hong-boat dry in the bed of the river. The night was again very cold and .nc mosquitoes troublesome. Still. I got a little rest, and at sunrise was up and continued my journey. Au. 7th. I felt very ill at first, and had a sore throat, but reflected en the wonderful goodness of God in enabling me to bear the heat by day and the cold by night so long. I felt also that quite a load was now taken off my mirr* T had committed myself and my affairs to the Lord, and knew t j S it was for my good and for His glory my things would be restored; if not, all would be for the best. I hopcil that the most trying part of my journey was now drawing to a close, and this helped me, weary and footsore, on the way. When I got to Shih-mun-wan and had breakfasted. I found I had still eight hundred and ten cash in hand; and I knew that the hong-boat fare to Kia- hing Fu was one hundred and twenty cash, and thence to Shanghai three hundred and sixty, leaving me just three hundred and thirty cash — or twelve pence and a fraction — for three or four days' provis- ions. I went at once to the boat office, but to my dismay found that from the dry state of the river goods had not come down, so that no boat would leave to-day and perhaps none fo-morrow. I inquired if there were no letter-boats for Kia-hing Fu, -^ r ri was told that they had 1 I s**^^ I 70 A RETROSPECT. i I already left. The only remaining resource was to ascertain if any private boats were going in which I could get a passage. My search, however, was in vain: and 1 could get no boat to undertake to go all the way lO Shanghai, or my difficulty would have been at an end. Just at this juncture I saw before me, at a turn in the car a letter-boat going in the direction of Kia-hing Fu. This, I con- cluded, must be one of the Kia hing boats that liad been unexpect- edly detained, and I set off after it as fast as hope and the necessities of the case would carry me. For the time being '.veariness and sore feet were alike forgotten. Aft" a cha ■ of about a mile I over- took it. "Are you going to Kia-hi g Fu ?" I called out. " No," was f'e only answ "Are you going in that diiv:ction ?" " No." " Will you give me a passage t.s r as you do go that way ? Still " No." and nothing more. Completely dispirited and exhausted. sank down on the grass and fainted away. As consciousness returned some voice" reached my ear, and I found they wore t. Iking about me. One said, " He speaks pure Shang- hai dialect," and from their own speech I knew them to be Shanghai people. Raising myself. 1 saw that they were on a large hong-boat on the other side of the canal, and after a few words they st .it their smal' boat to fetch me. and I went on board the junk. They were very kind, and gave me some tea: and when I wa<- refreshed and able to partake of it. some food aNo. I then took my sh .es and stock- ings off to ease my feet, and the boatman kindly provided me with hot water to bathe them. When they liord my story, and saw the blisters on my feet, they evidently pitied me. and hailed every boat that passed to see if it was going my way. Not finding one. by and by, after . few hours' sleep. T went ashore with the captain, intending to preach in the temple of Kwan i. Before leaving the junk . told the captain and those on board that I was now unable to helr^ myself; that I had not strength to walk to Kia-hing Fu. and having be.n disappointed in getting a passage to-day I should no longer have sufficient means to take me there by jj..'aa««weJtet..7 A RETROSPECT. ain if any My search, take to go jeen at an le car a lis, I cou- i unexpect- necessities s« and sore ile I over- 71 way ?" n the grass ear, and T pure Shang- be Shanghai e hoiig-boat :y St iit their They were efreshed and ?s and stock- ded me with and saw the r1 every boat one, by and lin, intending in board that ngth to walk ng a passage ! me there by letter-boat which was an expensive mode of travelling; that I knew not how the God whom I served would help nu-. but that I had no doubt He would do so: and that my business now was to serve Him where I was. I also told them that the help which I| knew would come^ ought to be an evidence to them of the truth of the religion which I and the . ther missionaries at Shanghai preached. On our way to the town, while engaged in conversation with the captain, we saw a letter-boat ccming up. The captain drew my atten- tion to It; but I reminded him that I had no longer the means of paying my passage by it. He hailed it, nevertlieless. and found that It was going to a place about nine English miles from Shanghai, whence one of the boatmen would carry the mails overland to the city. He then said. " This gentleman is a foreigner from Shanghai, who has been robbed, and has no longer the means of returning If voii will take him with you as far as you go. and then engage a sedan chair to carry him the rest of the way. he will pay you in Shanghai. You see my boat is lyin« aground yonder for want of water, and can- not get away. Now, I will stand surety: and if this gentleman does not pay when you get to Shanghai, I will do so on your return.'" This unsolicited kindness on the part of a Chinaman, a perfect stranger, will appear the more remarkable to any one acqirainted with the character of the Chinese, who are generally most reluctant to risk their money. Those on the letter-boat agreeing to the terms, I was f en on ^oard as a passenger. Oh. how thankful I felt for this provider ♦a! ■ erposition,, ,and to be once more on my way to Shangha Letter-boats such as the one on which I was now travelling are of a long narrow build, and very limited as to their inside accommoda- tion. One has to lie down all the time they are in motion, as a slight movement would easily upset them. 1 his was no irksome condition to me, however; on the ontrary, I was only too glad to be quiet. They are the quickest boats I have seen in China. Each one is worked by two men. who relieve one another continuously night and day. They row with their feet, an( paddle with their hands; or. if the wind is quite favourable, row with their feet, and with one hand manage a small sail, while steering with the other. After a pleasant and speedy journey, I reached Shanghai in safety on August 9th, through the help of Him who has said, " I will never I I I 72 A RETROSPECT. leave thee nor forsake thee"; " Lo. I am w.th you alway. even untd the -^nd of the world." li CHAPTER XIV. PROVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE. T T now seemed very clear that the lost property-including every- I thing I possessed in China, with the exception of a sma 1 sum ol "■- money providentially left in Shanghai-had been dehberately stolen by my servant, who had gone off with it to Hang-chau^ The first question, of cour'se. was how best to act for the K^^d of the man who had been the cause of so much trouble. It would not have been dimcuU to take steps that would have led to his pua.shment; though the likelihood of any reparation being made for the loss sustamed was very small. But the consideration which weighed most heav.ly wa that the thief was a man for who.e salvation I had laboured and Tayed and I felt that to prosecute him would not be to emphas:.e 'he caching of the Sermon on the Mount, in wh.ch we had read ogc her, "Resist not evil." and other similar precepts. Fmally concluding that his .soul was of more value than the £40 worth .;f ing" had lost. I wrote and told hi,n this, urg.ng upon h.m h.s n d of r P ntancc and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The course Ttlk conm,ended itself to n.y Christian frienns .n England on o whom was afterwards led to send me a cheque for i40-the first manv subsenuentlv received from the same kind helper^ Ha ing n >tain;,l the little n,oney left in Sl>angha. I agam set out for Ning,fo. to seek assistance from Dr. Parker ,n rep lacmg too m.dt- ils T" ad previously lost by fire. This being sat.sfactonlv a, corn- ered T rettirned once more to Shanghai, en route for Swa.ow. hnl^LnTo retoin my much-loved friend. Mr. Burns, in the work in that mportant cntre.' God had willed it otherwise, however: and the delircaused by the robbery was iust suf^cient to prevent me ^-O^t^pSuit; ^l^:t:i^r ^t^ .ng Wn g.^. 1 even untO ding every- riall sum ol deliberately chau. The of the man t have been int; though 5s sustained lost heavily iboured and emphasize ve had read ts. Finally, '40 worth <'f pon him his The course ;land, one of —the first of igain set out HK '.'no mf di- lorilv at com- for Swaiov", , in the work lowever; and ) prevent me :en gathering. is year (1856") definite com- A RETROSPECT. 73 menccment of hostilities. Very soon China was deeply involved in a second prolonged struggle with foreign powers, and missionary operations, in the South at any rate, had to be l.irgcly suspnulod. Tidings of these events, together with letters from Mr. Hums, arrived just in time to m:et me in Shanghai as I was leaving for Swatow; and thus hi dered, T could not but realize the hand of God in closing the door I had so much desired to enter. While in Ningpo I had made the acquaintance of Mr. John Jones, who, with Dr. Parker, represented the Chinese Evangelization So- ciety In that city. Hindered from returning to Swatow, I now de- cided to join these brethren in the Ningpo work, and set out at once upon the journey. On the afternoon of the second day, when already about thirty miles distan: from Shanghai, Mr. Jones and I drew near the large and important city of Sung-kiang, and I spoke of going ashore to preach the Gospel to the thronging multitudes tha; lined the banks and crowded the approaches to the city gates. Among the passengers on board the boat was one intelligent man, who in the course of his travels had been a good deal abrond, and had even visited England, where he went by the name of Peter. As might be expected, he had heard something of the Gospel, but had never experienced its saving power. On the previous evening I had drawn him into earnest converse about his soul's salvation. The man listened with attention, and was even moved to tears, but still no definite result was apparent. I was pleased, therefore, when he asked to be allowed to accompany me, and to '.':a/r me preach. I went into the cabin of the boat to prepare tracts and books for distribution on landing with my Chinese friend, when suddenly I was startled by a splash and a ciy from withouj. I sprang on deck, and took in the situation at a glance. Peter was gone I The other men were all there, on board, looking helplessly at the spot where he had disappeared, but making no effort co save him. A strong wind was carrying the junk rapidly forward in spite of a steady current in the opposite direction, and the low-lying shrubless shore afforded no landmark to indicate how far we had left the drowning man behind. I instantly let down the .sail and leapt overboard in the hope of finding him. Unsuccessful, I looked around in agonizing suspense. and saw close to me a fishing-boat with a peculiar drag-net furnished with hooks, which I knew would bring him up. §mt>^^fS ^ r J : v 9' " *f V ^ 74 A RETROSPECT. I *• ^ I " Come !" I cried, as hope revived in my heart. " Come and drag over this spot directly; a man is drowning just here !" "Veh bin" (it is not convenient), was the unfeeling answer. "Don't talk o^ 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 nid, " I will give you more money than many a day's fishing will bring; only come— come at once! ' " How much money will you give us ?" "We cannot stay to discuss tha- now! Come, or it will be too late. I will give you five dollars " (then worth about thirty shillings in English money). " We won't do it for that," replied the men. " Give us twenty dollars, and we will drag." . "I do not possess so much: do come quickly, and I will give you all I h?»ve !" " How much may that be ? " I don't know exactly, about foarteen dollars." At last, but even then slowly enough, the boat was paddled over. and the net let down. Less than a min .te sufficed to bring up the body of the missing man. The fishermen were clamorous and mdig- nant because their exorbiti.,nt demand was delayed while eiYorts at resuscitation were being made. Out all was in vain-life was extinct.. To myself this incident was profoLTidiy sad and full of significance,, suggesting a far more mournful reality. Were not those fishermen, actually guilty of this poor Chinaman's death, in that they had the means of saving him at hand, if they would but have used them ?' Assuredly they were guilty. And yet, let us pause ere we pronounce judgment against them, lest a greater than Nathan answer, Thou art the man." Is it so hard-hearted, so wicked a thing to neglect to «a- e the body ? Of how much sorer punishment, then, is he worthy who leaves the soul to perish, and Cain-like says. " Am I my brother's k*€per?" The Lord Jesus commands, commands me, commands yAipilhy brother, and you, my sister. "Go," says He, "/" y« '"*" aH.t!«|o,Jirarld, and preach the Gospel to ^ery creature. Shall we sa'.«f*0T^/W»»tjt.HNo, it is not convenient" ? shall we tell Hm that WcndrmQasj^«4««r ^nd cannot go? that we have bought a piece of ground and cannot Ro^^that we have purchased five yoke of oxen. •ii I p ome and swcr. d, man is )mc."' re money once! ' ill be too • shillings js twenty will give llc<1 over, ig up the ind indig- euorts at IS extinct.. jnificance,, fishermen! f had the ed them ?' jronounce :r, " Thou neglect to lie worthy ' brother's rommands ;o ye into Shall we Him that a piece of i of oxen, A RETROSPECT. 75 or have married, or are engaged in other and more interesting pur- smts, and cannot go? Ere long " we must all appear before the judg- n.cm seat of Christ; that every one may r»jceivc the things done in his body." Let us remember, let us pray for, let us labour for the unevangehzed Chmese; or we shall sin against our own souls. Let us consider Who it is that has said, " If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain- if thou sayest. Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that pondereth the heart consi.U i it? and He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it? and shall not He render to every man according to his works ?" Through midnight gloom from Macedon, The cry of myriads as of one; The voiceful silence of despair Is eloquent in awful praysr; The soul's exceeding biti.cr 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 I" ! 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 so'd. 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: " / come; whc would abide My day, In yonder wilds prepare My way; My voice is crying in tneir cry, Help yt the dying, lest ye die." ,' ! , I •■«f * 76 A RETROSPECT. 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 anu Arill to hear their cry; Help us to help them, lest we die. CHAPTER XV. SETTLEMENT IN NINGPO. ^HE autumn of 1856 was well advanced before I reached Ningpo T one of the most ar.cient and influential oties on^^« --\,^ ^ China Opened to the residence of foreigners n 1842 by the treaty of Nanking, it had long been the scene of missionary labours. Within ts thronging thoroughfares the busy tide of life run. high ^ou hundred th'ouLd human beings dwell -thin or around h five miles' circuit of its ancient wall, every one a soul that Jesus loves, for whom He died. . ,„ • ^ j^« ^r A winter drew on I rented a native house in Wu-gyiao-deo. or Lake H ad Street. It was not then a very comfortable residence^ I have a very distinct remembrance of tracing my initials on he now which during the night had collected upon my coverlet in the ZZ blrn lUce upper room, now sub-divided into four or five smaUer ones eh of lich is comfortably ceiled. The tiling of an unceUed Chinese house may keep oflf the rain-if it happens to be sound- bui does not afford so good a protection against snow, which wU beat up through crannies and crevices, and find its way within. Bu however unfinished may have been its ^f-^^'XTlZn^^S well adapted for work amongst the people; and there I th^^^^^ Tettled down, finding ample scope for service-mormng. noon and "'^During the latter part of this year my mind was greatly exercised about continued connection with my Society, it being frequentl> in .eb Pe sonally 1 had always avoided debt, and kept within my 'alary though at times only by very careful economy. Now there was no d^culty in doing this, for my income was larger, and. the coun- I ■.awe- r A RETROSPECT. n tied Ningpo the coast of 1842 by the lary labours. ! runs high. around the 1 that Jesus yiao-deo, or le residence, itials on the verlet in the • five smaller ; an unceiled be sound — V, which will within. But e house was I thankfully g, noon and itly exercised frequently in )t within my ow there was id, the coun try being in a more peaceful state, things were not so dear. But the Society itself was in debt. The quarterly bills which 1 and others were instructed to draw were often met by borrowed money, and a correspondence commenced which terminated in the following year by my resigning from conscientious motives. To me it seemed that the teaching of God's Word was unmistak- ably clear: "Owe no man anything." To borrow money implied, to my mind, a contradiction of Scripture— a confession that God had withheld some good thing, and a determination to get for ourselves what He had not given. Could that which was wrong for one Chris- tian to do be right for an association of Christians ? Or could any amount of precedents make a wrong course justifiable ? If the Word taught me anything, it taught me to have no connection with debt. 1 could not think that God was poor, that He was short of resources, or unwilling to supply any want of whatever work was really His. It seemed to me that if there were lack of funds to carry on work, then to that degree, in that special development, or at that time, it could not be the work of God. To satisfy my conscience I was there- fore compelled to resign connection with the Society which had hitherto supplied my salary. It was a great satisfaction to me that my friend and colleague, Mr. Jones, also of the Chinese Evangelization Society, was led to take the same step; and we were both profoundly thankful that the separation took place without the least breach of friendly feeling on either side. Indeed, we had the joy of knowing that the step we took commended itself to several members of the Committee, al- though as a whole the Society could not come to our position. Depending upon God alone for supplies, w« were enabled to continue a measure of connection with our former supporters, sending home journals, etc., for publication as before, so long as the Society con- tinued to exist. The step we had taken was not a little trying to faith. I was not at all sure what God would have me do, or whether He would so meet my need as to enable tne to continue working as before. 1 had no frends whatever from whom I expected supplies. I did not know what means the Lord might use; but I was willing to give up all my time to the service of evangelization among the lieathen it by any means He would supply the smallest amount on which I could a» 78 A RETROSPECT. I'' live; and if He were not pleased to do this, I was prepared to under- take whatever work might be necessaiy to supply myself, giving all the time thaJ could be spared from such a calling to more distinctly missionary efforts. But God blessed and prospered me; and how glad and thankful I felt when the separation was really effected ! I could look right up into my Father's face with a satisfied heart, ready, by His grace, to do the next thing as He might teach me, and feel- ing very sure of His loving care. And now blessedly He did lead me on and provide for me I can neve., nc^er tell. It was like a continuation of some of my earlier home experiences. My faith was not untried; it often, often failed, and I was so sorry and ashamed of the failure to trust such a Father. But oh! I was learning to know Him. I would not even then have missed the trial. He became so near, so real, so intimate. The oc- casional difficulty about funds never came from an insufficient supply for personal needs, but in consequence of ministering to the wants of scores of the hungry and dying ones around us. And trials far more searching in other ways quite eclipsed these difficulties; and being deeper, brought forth in consequence richer fruits. How glad one is now, not only to know, with dear Miss Havergal, that — " They who trust Him wholly Find Him wholly true," but also that when we fail to trust fully He still remains unchang- ingly faithful. He is wholly true whether we trust or not. " If we believe not, He abideth faithful; He cannot deny Himself." But oh, how we dishonour our Lord whenever we fail to trust Him, and what peace, blessing, and triumph wt- lose in thus sinning against the Faith- ful One ! May we never again presume in anything to doubt Him! The year 1857 was a troublous time, and closed with the notorious bombardment of Canton by the British, and the commencement of our second Chinese war. Rumours of trouble were everywhere rife, and in many places the missionarios passed through not a little danger. In Ningpo this was especially the case, and the preserving care of God in answer to prayer was coiiseciucntiy most marked. When the awful news of the bombardment of Canton reached the Cantonese in Ningpo their wrath and indignation knew no bounds, and they ini- mediately set to work to plot the destruction of all the foreigners resi- I to under- giving all i distinctly and how ffected! I :art, ready, , and feel- me I can my earlier ften failed, 1 a Father. then have The oc- lent supply the wants i trials far ilties; and How glad that— i unchang- t. " If we " But oh. I, and what the Faith- oubt Him! : notorious icement of where rife, ttle danger, ng care of When the Cantonese id they im- igners resi- A RETROSPECT. 79 dent in the city and neighbourhood. It was well known that many of the foreigners were in the habit of meeting for worship every Sun- day evening at one of the missionary houses, and the plan was to surround the place on a given occasion and make short work of all present, cutting off afterwards any who might not be present. The sanction of the Tao-tai, or chief civil magistrate of the city, was easily obtained; and nothing remained to hinder the execution of the plot, of which the foreigners were of course entirely in ignor- ance. (A similar plot against the Portuguese a few months later was carried out, and between fifty and sixty were massacred in open day- light.) It so happened, however, that one of these acquainted with the conspiracy had a friend engaged in the service of the mission- aries; and, anxious for his safety, he was led to warn him of the coming danger, and urge his leaving foreign employ. The servant made the matter known to his master, and thus the little community became aware of their peril. Realizing the gravity of the situation, they determined to meet together at the house of one of their number to seek the protection of the Most High, and to hide under the shadow of His wings. Nor did they thus meet in vain. At the very time we were praying the Lord was working. He led an inferior mandarin, the Superintendent of Customs, to call upon the Tao-t'ai, and remonstrate witli him upon the folly of permitting such an attempt, which he assured him would rouse the foreigners in other places to come with armed forces to avenge the death of their countrymen and raze the city to the ground. The Tao-t'ai replied that, when the foreigners came for that purpose, he should deny all knowledge of or complicity in the plot, and so direct their vengeance against the Cantonese, who would in their turn be destroyed; "and thus," said he, " we shall get rid of both Cantonese and foreigners by one stroke of policy." The Superintendent of Customs assured him that all such attempts at evasion would be useless; and, finally, the Tao-t'ai sent to the Cantonese, withdr i vu-g his permission and prohibiting the attack. This took place y t-,i" very time when we were asking protection of the Lord, thou.c' we did not become acquainted with the facts until some weeks later. Thus again we were led to prove that — " Sufficient is His arm alone, , And our defence is sure." i ' , i.l ^ r .■^:mf: 80 A RETROSPECT. I cannot attempt to give any historical record of the events of this period, but ere 1857 terminated Mr. Jones and I were cheered by tokens of blessing. It is interesting to recall the circumstances connected with the first profession of faith m Christ, which en- couraged us. , 1 • On one occasion I was preaching the glad tidings of salvation through the Sinishcd work of Christ, when a middle-aged man stood up, and festiiicd before his assembled countryme- to his faith in the power of the Gospel. " I have long sought for the Truth." said he earnestly, as my f.ithers did before me; but I have never found it. I have travelled far and near, but without obtaining it. I have found no rest in Con- fucianism, Buddhism, or Taoism; but I do find rest in what I have heard here to-night. Henceforth I am a believer in Jesus." This man was one of the leading officers of a sect of reformed Buddhists in Ningpo. A short time after his confession of faith in the Saviour there was a meeting of the sect over which he had for- merly presided. I accompanied him to that meeting, and there, to his former co-religionists, he testified of the peace he had obtained in believing. Soon after, one of his former companions was con- verted and baptized. Both now sleep in Jesus. The first of these two long continued to preach to his countrymen the glad tidings cf great joy. A few nights after his conversion he asked how long this Gospel had been known in England. He was told that we had known it for some hundreds of years. "What !" said he, amazed; "is it possible that for hundreds of years you have had the knowledge of these glad tidings in your possession, and yet have only now come to preach it to us ? My father sought after the Truth for more than twenty years, and died without finding it. Oh. why did you not come sooner ?" A whole generation has passed away since that mournful inquiry was made; but how many, alas! might repeat the same question to- day ? More than two hundred millions in the meanwhile have been swept into eternity, without an ofTer of salvation. How long shall thi? continue, and the Master's words. "To every creature," remain unheeded ? 4t ..^ A RETROSPECT. 8i events of •e cheered umstances which en- salvation man stood nth in the r, " as my e travelled St in Con- hat I have [ reformed of faith in e had for- 1 there, to i obtained was con- st of these tidings cf r long this liad known undreds of fs in your us ? My I, and died ful inquiry uestion to- have been long shall e," remain CHAPTER XVI. TIMELY SUPPLIES. ^ NOT infrequently our God brings His people into difficulties on purpose that U.ey may come to know Him as they could not otherwise do. Then He rcvails Himself as * a very present help in trouble," and makes the heart glad indeed at each fresh revelation of a Father's faithfulness. We who only see so small a part of the sweet issues of trial often feci that we would not for anything have missed them; how much more shall we bless and mag- nify His Name when all the hidden things are brought to light ! In the autumn of 1857, just one year after I came to settle in Ningpo, a little incident occurred thait did much to strengthen our faith in the loving-kindness and ever-watchful care of God. A brother in the Lord, the Rev. John Quarterman, of the Ameri- can Presbyterian Mission North, was taken with virulent small-pox, and it was my mournful privileg-^ to nurse him through his sufforing illness to its fatal close. When all was over, it became necessary to lay aside the garments worn while nursing, for fear of conveying the infection to others. Not having sufficient money in hand to purchase what was needful in order to make this change, prayer was the only resource. The Lord answered it by the unexpected arrival of a long- lost box of clothing from Swatow, that had remained in the care of the Rev. William Burns when I left him for Shanghai, in the early summer of the previous year. The arrival of the thiuRs just at this juncture was as appropriate as it was remarkable, and brought a sweet sense of the Father's own providing. About two months later the following was penned:— November i8th, t8S7- Many seem to think that I am verv poor. This certainly is true enough in one sense, but I thank God it is " as poor, yet makmg many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things." And my God shall supply all my need; to Him be all the gloi-y. I would not. if I could, be otherwise than I am-entirely dependent myself upon the Lord, and used as a channel of help to others. J 82 A RETROSPECT. On Saturday, the 4th inst., our regular home mail arrived. That morning we supplied, as usual, a breakfast to the destitute poor, who came to the number of seventy. Sometimes they do not reach forty, at others again exceeding eighty. They come to us every day, Lord's Day excepted, for then we cannot manage to attend to them and gci through all our other duties too. Well, on that Saturday morning we :»ajd all expenses, and provided ourselves for the morrow, after whicn we had not a single dollar left between us. How the Lord was going to provide for Monday we knew not; but over our man- tel-piece hung two scrolls in the Chinese character — Ebeneser, "Hitherto liath the Lord helped us"; and Jehovah-Jireh, "The Lord will provide " — and He kept us from doubting for a moment. That very day the mail came in, a week sooner than was expected, and Mr. Jones received a bill for two hundred and fourteen dollars. We thanked God and took courage. The bill was taken to a merchant, and although there is usually a delay of several days in getting the change, this time he said, " Send down on Monday." We sent, and though he had not been able to buy all the dollars, he let us have seventy on account; so all was well. Oh, it is sweet to live thus directly dependent upon the Lord, who never fails us ! On Monday the poor had their breakfast as usual, for we had not told them not to come, being assured that it was the Lord's work, and that the Lord would provide. We could not help our eyes filling with tears of gratitude when we saw not only our own needs supplied, but the widow and the orphan, the blind and the lame, the friendless and the destitute, together provided for by the bounty of Him who feeds the ravens. " O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together. . . . Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. O fear the Lord, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing " — and if not good, why want it ? But even two hundred dollars cannot last forever, and by New Year's Day supplies were again getting low. Ait last, on January 6th, 1858, only one solitary cash remained — the twentieth part of a penny — in the joint possession of Mr. Jones and myself; but though tried we looked to God once again to manifest His gracious care. Enough provision was found tn the house to supply a meagre break- fast; after money to able to su| .laiiy breac After p •''o dispose ■equiremet well spare money. C tiously ha> in itself, as indeed, on readily pu with it. i a walk of to cross t our path, night, and for which our coursi on our be Upot. the childn tion acce included i alone. S and thou) cocoa, wl this we ai and saved our knees Thimme9mm hi A RETROSPECT. ^ CHAPTER XVIII. A NEW AGENCY NEEDED. MY thoughts are not as your thoughts, neither are your way* My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways Lnd My thoughts than your thoughts." How true are those words' Wherfhe Lord is bringing in great blessing in the best possible way. how oftentimes our unbelieving hearts are feeling, if not saying, ike Hcob of old, " All the.e things are against me." Or we are filled S fear, as were the disciples when the Lord, walking on the waters Irew near to quiet the troubled sea. and to bring them Qmckly to their desired haven. And yet mere common sense «"«ht ^o tel^us that He, whose way is perfect, can make no '"'«*;^^f ^^^f ,"' .^^^ has promised to "perfect that which concerneth us and wloee tninute care counts the very ha=rs of our heads, and forms for u "ur circumstances, must know better than we the way to torward our truest interests and to glorify His own Name. " Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan His work in vain; God is His own Interpreter. And He will make it plain." T„ mc i. scc„,ed a «rcat c;,lan,i.y tl.a, lailure of hcaUh compelled my relinquishing work for God in China. ,us. when ,, „a, more irLful than ever before; and to leave ,he l.ttle !»"'> ;' Chr^stans in Ningpo, needing much care and "-'""S. "»» » ^reat sorr^w^ Vor was the sorrow lessened when, on reachmg England, mea. .«tmony assured me that return ,o China, a, leas, for years to come^ was impossible. Little did I then realise that the long s para^^-n I % \ $0 A RETROSPECT. I l7^V ? u^""*'^ °" '^"^ '"^^ "^^P °" the wall of my studv I was as near o the vast regions of Inland China as to thTsmrit districts ,n wh.ch I had laboured personally for God and Trf 1 was of^ the only resource by which the burdened hett TouId^^S; ' As a long absence from Qiina appeared inevitable ♦!,. question was how best to «erve Chin, while in En^d and this"?"'; thV M -^ Missionary Society, in the revision of a version f' the New Testament in the colloquial of Ningoo for fh. Z^l u Foreign Bible Society. In undertaking Zwo/k t mv.'"' ^ghtedness I saw nothing oeyond the use Lt the' Book U .he XTs": „" ""T "°"'' '^ *° *^^ -^'- Christians; but ?h ol the WorTof S' TTlT' "^"^'^ °^ ^^^^'"^ ^^ ^-'fn "u ine word of God, I should have been quite unnrpnar^/* ♦« . aL* ,- Church, so that mm jAokW be unable to stav at W were what was needed. I saw that the Apostolic plan was no to ra^e ways and means, but to ,o and do the lork, trusUng in H° H s r^Z ^^° ^'' '''^' " ^''^ y' ^''' the Kingdom of Go3 and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you " answered ""Tr''^' '\^ '''^''' ^°'" ^°^'^«" f^'" Cheh-kiang was bein, tr niani «r ^" '''''°"^' ^^"^^ ^°^ ^^ina with his young friend Mr p''' ^^'^^vl^'"""^^ ^^' ''"^ co-operation and aid of our ;"!"! ^"- ^7f !? The second left England in 1864, having her passage provided by the Foreign Evangelization Society The third owe 'thfmT^'h' ^i:;^^° °" ^"'^ '''''' ''''■ ^ «^th Lon f ont fi f '"^ ^'"^^° '" September. 1865. Thus the prayer tolnokf r7:;^'".,r' ^""^ ^"^^^^^^^ ^"^ we were encouraged to look to God for still greater things. sultfd°?n''I 1 ^^'•"^^t Pf^y^*- and not a few abortive efforts had re- he?o o o r °' 'f "' P'"" ^* *^'» *-<= I had not only the dailv worker thefl l"^ ^^^f"'' u"'^' "'^ ^'^'^'^^ ^"^"d and fellow- worker, the late Rev. F. F. Gough. but also i^^aluable aid and counsel Ifrom Mr. and iiulgment and Innny days in Interfering wit Ibiit it was CO (might be rai Iwith any cxisi L'ould have « Iforth with the |t!ie first step. How incoi Iprayed for wc Iwould be give Itlie means foi Iwould be ope I had not the niyself, so no who might be tlie dangers, nected with su ! Christians mi encouraged tl [imequal. Yet, what more and mo the labourers every day ten: Perishing Ch by day, and li tation of my of the Stock Brighton. On Sunda; gation of a th security, whil( dered out on Lord conquei this service. ^m^ . li 'rft i nj ii — ....rfiiw. ■^WiWL i iii i MHi i m ajKUUi^mn^ f my study, he smaller id prayer :ouId gain the next id this led I - Gougli, version of ritish and ny short , and the it I have 1 feasting to lorm, on. I success- :st prayer g of the stay at was not « in His God and rou." as being is young i of our 'ing her he third Don fol- i prayer ouraged had re- for the he daily fellow- counsel A RETROSPECT. 91 Ifrom Mr. and Mrs. Berger, with whom I and my dear wife (whose jiiulgment and piety were of priceless value at this juncture) spent Imany days in prayerful deliberation. The great difficulty of possibly Interfering with existing missionary operations at home was foreseen; jbut it was concluded that, by simple trust in God, suitable agency Iniight be raised up and sustained without interfering injuriously Iwith any existing work. I had also a growing conviction that God Irt'ould have mc to seek from Him the needed workers, and to go jforth with them. But for a long time unbelief hindered my taking |t!ie first step. How inconsistent unbelief always is ! I had no doubt that, if I Jprayed for workers. " in the Name " of the Lord Jesus Christ, they Iwould be given me. I had no doubt that, in answer to such prayer, Itlie means for our going forth would be provided, and that doors Iwould be opened before us in unreached parts of the Empire. But I had not then learned to trust God for keeping power and grace for niyself, so no wonder that I could not trust Him to keep others who might be prepared to go with me. I feared that in the midst of jtlie dangers, difficulties, and trials which would necessarily be con- nected with such a work, some who were comparatively inexperienced ! Christians might break down, and bitterly reproach me for having encouraged them to undertake an enterprise for which they were |imequal. Yet, what was I to do ? The feeling of blood-gitiltiness became more and more intense. Simply because I refused to ask for them. the labourers did not come forward — did not go out to China — and every day tens of thousands were passing away to Christless graves ! Perishing China so filled my heart and mind that there was no rest by day, and little sleep by night, till health broke down. At the invi- tation of my beloved and honoured friend, Mr. George Pearse (then of the Stock Exchange), I went to spend a few days with him in Brighton. On Sunday, June 25th, 1865, unable to bear the sight of a congre- gation of a thousand or more Christian people rejoicing in their own security, while millions were perishing for lack of knowledge, I wan- dered out on the sands alone, in great spiritual agony; and there the Lord conquered my unbelief, and *L surrendered myself to God for this service. I told Him that all the responsibility as to issues and II , / r 93 A RETROSPECT. I consequences must rest with Him; that as His servant, it was mint to obey and to follow Him-His, to direct, to care for, and to guide me and those who might labour with me. Need I say that peace at once flowed into my burdened heart ? There and then I asked Hiin for twenty-four fellow-workers, two for each of eleven inland pro vinces which were without a missionary, and two for Mongolia; and writing the petition on the margin of the Bible I had with me, I re- turned home with a heart enjoying rest such as it had been a stranger to for months, and with an assurance that the Lord would bless His own work and that I should share in the blessing. I had previou.^ly prayed, and asked prayer, that workers might be raised up for the eleven then unoccupied provinces, and thrust forth and provided for, but had not surrendered myself to be their leader. About this time, with the help of my dear wife, I wrote the little book, "China's Spiritual Need and Claims." Every paragraph was steeped in prayer. With the help of Mr. Berger. who had given valued aid in the revision of the manuscript, and who bore the ex- pense of printing an edition of 3.000 copies, they were soon put in circulation. I spoke publicly of the proposed work as opportunity permitted, specially at the Perth and Mildmay Conferences of 1865. and continued in prayer for fellow-workers, who were soon raised up, and after due correspondence were invited to my home, then in the East of London. When one house became insufficient, the oc- cupant of the adjoining house removed, and I was able to rent it; and when that in its turn became insufficient, further accommoda- tion was provided close by. Soon there were a number of men and women under preparatory training, and engaging in evangelisuc work which tested in some measure their qualifications as soul- winners. THE FO IT was thu organize! porated Hill, near Ej T could not h department ol I proposed, a with the volt For the supp( were sending every need v We had n of sixteen 01 might be re( penses. I wr I " (intendini accounts of paper stated pected that ( send contribt tion, or to m; boxes were t those who r ever since. It was Fe sional Paper From delays bales of pam 6th, a daily menced, to a vain, the fol show : — "The rec June, i22i i: V i ii. i juB i . i i. . A RETROSPECT. 93 CHAPTER XIX. THE FORMATION OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION. IT was thus that in the year 1865 the China Inland Mission was organized; and the workers already in the field were incor- porated into it. W. T. Berger, Esq., then residing at Saint Hill, near East Grinstead, without whose help and encouragement I could not have gone forward, undertook the direction of the home department of the work during my anticipated absence in China; and I proposed, as soon as arrangements could be completed, to go out with the volunteers and take the direction of the work in the field. For the support of the workers already in China, our friends at home were sending in unsolicited contributions from time to time, and every need was met. We had now, however, to look forward to the outgoing of a party of sixteen or seventeen, and estimated that from £1,500 to £2,000 might be required to cover outfits, passage-mone- and initial ex- penses. I wrote a little pamphlet, calling it " Occa. t lal Paper, No. I " (intending in successive numbers to give to donors and friends accounts of the work wrought through us in China), and in that paper stated the anticipated needs for floating the enterprise. I ex- pected that God would incline the hearts of some of the readers to send contributions: I had determined never to use personal solicita- tion, or to make collections, or to issue collecting books. Missionary boxes were thought unobjectionable, and we had a few prepared for those who might ask for them, and have continued to use them ever since. It was February 6th, 1866, when I sent my manuscript of " Occa- sional Paper, No. i," with a design for the cover, to the printer. From delays in engraving and printing, it was March 12th when the bales of pamphlets were delivered at my house. Now, on February 6th, a daily prayer-meeting, from 12 to i o'clock, had been com- menced, to ask for the needed funds. And that we had not asked in vain, the following extiact from "Occasional Paper, No. II.." will show : — "The receipts for 1864 were £51 14s.; for 1865, from January to June, £221 128. 6d. besides two free passages; from June to Decera- m. I 94 A RETROSPECT. t I t i ber, £923 I2S. 8d. Hindrances having occurred, the MS. of the ' Oc- casional Paper, No. I.,' was not completed till February 6th, 1866. Up to this time we had received (from December 30th) £170 8s. 3d. " We felt much encouraged by the receipt of so much money in little more than a month, as it was entirely unsolicited by us — save from God. But it was also evident that we must ask the Lord to do yet greater things for us, or it would be impossible for a party of from ten to sixteen to leave in the middle of May. Daily uui' , prayer was therefore offered to God for the funds needful for the out- fits and passages of as many as He would have to go out in May. " Owing to the delays mentioned above in the printing of the ' Occasional Paper,' it was not ready for the publisher until March J2th. On this day I again examined my mission cash-book, and the comparison of the result of the two similar periods of one month and six days each, one before and one after special prayer for £1,500 to £2.000, was very striking: — "Receipts from December 30th to February 6th £170 8 3 "Receipts February 6th to March 12th £1,774 5 " "Funds advised, since received 200 o o ^1.974 S n This, it will be noticed, was previous to the circulation of the ' Occasional Paper,' and, consequently, was not the result of it. It was the response of a faithful God to the united prayers of thos« whom He had called to serve Him in the Gospel of His dear Son. " We can now compare with these two periods a third of the same extent. From March 12th to April iSth the receipts were £529, showing that when God had supplied the special need, the special supply also ceased. Truly there is a Living God, and He is the hearer and answerer of prayer." But this gracious answer to prayer made it a little difficult to cir- culate " Occasional Paper, No. I.," for it stated as ? need that which was already supplied. The difficulty was obviated by the issue with each copy of a coloured insert stating that the funds for outfit and passage were already in hand in answer to prayer. We were re- minded of the difficulty of Moses— not a very common one in the present day— and of the proclamation he had to send through the camp to the people to prepare no more for the building of the Tabernacle, ai vinced that if ence upon i\ of spiritual lij every branch Preparatio About this til not very far there should the bills. TJ as chairman, He accepted the 2nd or 31 the extent an sented, and At the do it had been i but he felt tl they had no the good woi ated entirely of many in t ever, that the among other adduced by c for not maki relieved by ] convenient, t one should g of God what they were sat of them, it c in China; perhaps in n; tion, but per up of son oi service. I ac leave- the imi ■feiiiite] "immfmHummmm ry to the year 1H94. It is indeed a record of the goodness of God, every remembrance of which calls for gratitude and i)raise. We can only here briefly mention a few facts, referring our readers to Miss Guin- ness' work for all details. After a voyage of many mercies, the Lanmiermuii party safely reached China, and during the first ten years stations and out-sta- tions were opened in many cit'es and towns in four provinces which hitherto had not been re.ichcd by the Gospel. .At home Mr. and Mrs. Berger continued thtir devoted service until March Kjtl:, iS'/2. 1 having returned to England the year !>efore. Shortly after tiii.s tlie London Council was formed, which has now for several years been as«-,isted by an Auxiliary Council of ladies. A botch Council was also formed in Glasgow a few years ago. A visit to America in 1888 issued mi the formation of the Council for North America, and a similar Council for .Australasia was com- menced in Melbourne two years later. In the field a China Council was organized in 1886, composed of senior missionaries who meet quarterly in Shanghai. Closely associated with the China Inland Mission are seven Committees — in England. Norway, Sweden (two), Finland, Ger- many, and the United States — which send out and support their own missionaries, who in China have the assistance of the educational and other advantages of the China Inland Mission, and who work under its direction. Duly qualified candidates for missionary labor are accepted without restriction as to denomination, provided they are sound in the faith in all fundam'.iual truths. These go out in dependence upon God for teinporai siippiies, with the clear understanding that the officers of the Mis.sion do not guarantee any income whatever, and knowing that, as they will not go into debt, they can only min- ister to them as the funds sent in from time to time will allow. Rut 1 .gi§ i \r ' I ( •M I. i I ■ ! I! I! «)6 A RETROSPECT. Ho amount of money could convert a single soul; that what was needed was that men and women filled with the Holy Ghost should give themselves to the work: for the support of such there would never be a lack of funds. As my wish was evidently very strong, the chairman kindly yielded to it. and closed the meeting. He told me, however, at the supper-table, that he thought it was a mistake on my part, and that, notwithstanding all I had said, a few persons had put some little contributions mo his hands. Next morning at breakfast, my kind host came in a little late, and acknowledged to not having had a very good night. After break- fast he asked me to his study, and giving me the contributions handed to him the night before, said, " I thought last night, Mr. Taylor, that you were in the wrong about a collection; I am now convinced you were quite right. As I thought in the night of that stream of souls in China ever passing onward into the dark, I could only cry as you suggested, ' Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do ?' I think I have obtained the guidance I sought, and here it is." He handed me a cheque for £500, a ^ ling that if there had been a collection he would have given a few pounds to it, but now this cheque was the result of having spent no small part of the night in prayer. I need scarcely say how surprised and thankful I was for this gift. I had received at the breakfast-table a letter from Messrs Killick, Martin & Co., shipping agents, in which they stated that they could oflfer us the whole passenger accommodation of the ship Lammer- muir. I went direct to the ship, found it in every way suitable, and paid the cheque on account. As above stated, the funds deemed needed had been already in hand for some time; but the coincidence of the simultaneous oflfer of the ship accommodation and this munifi- cent gift— God's " exceeding abundantly "—greatly encouraged my heart. On the 26th of May we sailed for China in the Lammermuir, a missionary party of 16 (besides my four children and their nurse), and Miss Bausum (afterwards Mrs. Barchet); in all 22 passengers. Mr. Berger took charge of the home department, and thus the China Inland Mission was fully inaugurated. T HE eve fully d of the the year 1894 remembrance here briefly r ness' work i After a vi reached Chir tions were o] hitherto had Mrs. Berger I having reti the London been assisted was also foi A visit to for North Ai menced in M was organize (juarterly in Closely a Committees- many, and th missionaries, and olher a<3 under its dii Duly qua' without resti the faith in upon God fc the officers ( and knowing ister to them A RETROSPECT. 97 CHAPTER XX. THE MISSION IN IQOO. "V2*.. THE events sketched in the last two chapters have been more fully delineated by Miss Guinness in her interesting " Story of the China Inland Mission," which continues its history to the year 1894. It is indeed a record of the goodness of God, every remembrance of which cal )r gratitude and praise. We can only here briefly mention a few facts, referring our readers to Miss Guin- ness' work for all details. After a voyage of many mercies, the Lammermuir party safely reached China, and during the first ten years stations and out-sta- tions were opened in many cities and towns in four provinces which hitherto had not been reached by the Gospel. At home Mr. and Mrs. Berger continued their devoted service until March 19th, 1872, I having returned to England the year before. Shortly after th' , the London Council was formed, which has now for several years been assisted by an Auxiliary Council of ladies. A Scotch Council was also formed in Glasgow a few years ago, A visit to America in 1888 issued in the formation of the Council for North America, and a similar Council for Australasia was com- menced in Melbourne two years later. In the field a China Council was organized in 1886, composed of senior missionaries who meet (juarterly in Shanghai. Closely associated with the China Inland Mission are seven Committees — in England, Norway, Sweden (two), Finland, Ger- many, and the United States — which send out and support their own missionaries, who in China have the assistance of the educational and olher advantages of the China Inland Mission, and who work under its direction. Duly qualified candidates for missionary labor are accepted without restriction as to denomination, provided they are sound in the faith in all [undamf;ntal truths. These go out in dependence upon God for temporal supplies, with the clear understanding that the officers of the Mission do not guarantee any income whatever, and knowing that, as they will not go into debt, they can only min- ister to them as the funds sent in from time to time will allow. But I '■ 98 A RETROSPECT. we praise God that during the past thirty-five years, such ministry has always been possible ; our God has supplied all our need, and has with- held no good thing. All the expenses of the Mission at home and abroad are met by voluntary contributions, sent to the officers of the Mission without per- sonal solicitation by those who wish to aid in this effort to spread the knowledge of the Gospel throughout China. Some of the missionaries having private property have gone out at their own expense, and do not take anything from the Mission funds. Three hundred and nmety-four stations and out-stations have been opened and occupied either by missionaries or native labourers. Since 1865, 12,964 converts have been baptized ; and there are now (igoo) 8,557 communicants in fellowship. Current information may be obtained from our monthly paper, China's Millions, the North Ameri- can edition of which can be had from the Offices of the Mission, 507 Church Street, Toronto, Canada. A public prayer meeting for the work in China is held every Friday from 8 to 9.30 p. m. at the Mission Home, 507 Church Street, Toronto. All friends are cordially invited to attend this meeting and to help us in prayer and otherwise. THE END. -? PUBLIGA dilna'M III 11 The year A RetroMpei Throe Deca paper 00 HIartyrefl 91 A Conf ucin Union and 1 Huttaon A Ribband Reparation Hu(t8on The iSvaniEt By B. B The Htory Howard BookletH.— Wane, A Way Chn-pl Yang 'i Saved ) The P< The Tl, Perweci In "Wei In Per A are* The Roxer Hhan-8 In Reaths Boxers. Gl Twrenty-SI^ Inland : In the Par Edition Blemorlals Mission Hudson The a 507 CI m PUBLICATIONS OF THEJHINA INLAND MISSION. Clilna'a milloim. The organ ol the MlBsion. FubliBhed monthly, sOo. per annnni. Tbe yearly volame nicely bound, with Index, paper hoards, SOo. A Retroitpnct. By J. Hndaon Taylor. Boards, 2.^c., paper 10c. Three Decade* of the Clilna Inland niSHlon. By J. Hudson Taylor. Stlfi' paper corers, 150. Martyred 91 iRslonarles of the China Inland ninitlon. fl .60. A Confucian Scholar. By Mrs. Howard Taylor. fl.OO. Union and Communion, or ThonKlitH on the Mong of Solomon. By J. Hudson Taylor. Reduced price, 30c. A Ribband of Bine, and Other Bible HtndleH. By J. Hudson Taylor. Price, 30c. Separation and Service, or Thoughts In BTumberM VI. and Vll. By J. Hudson Taylor. Price, 30o. The iCvannrrllzatlon of the World, A. Record of Consecration and an Appeal. By B. Broomhall. Twentieth thousand: cloth, 90o. The Story of the China Inland Slisalon. By M. Qeraldlne Guinness. (Mrs. Howard Taylor.) In two volumes. Price 11.25 per volume. Bookleta.— WanB, a Chinese Christian. 2o. each; 20c. per doz. A Wayelde Testimony. 2o. each ; 20o. per doz. Chn-plUK-Iian and Mr. Iilan^. 2c. each ; 20o. per doz. ITang Ts'nen-Iilnf;— Captive, Soldier, Kvansellst. 5c. Saved at KiKhty-Six, the Story of Mrs. Hu. 3c. The Power of Uod Knto Salvation. Sc.each; 250. per doz. The Tiger Cap. 3c. each ; 25c. per doz. Persecuted, but not Forsaken. 3c. each ; 25c. per doz. In "Weariness and Palnfnlness. 3c. each ; 2Sc. per doz. In Perils by the Heathen. So. each ; 2Sc. per doz. A Ctreat Deliverance. 3c. each ; 25c. per doz. The Boxer Rising and Missionary Massacres In Central and Son&it Shan-sl. By F. C. H.Dreyer. 10c. each. In Deaths Oft. An account of a seven-fold deliverance out of tbe hands of the Boxers. ByC.H.S. Green. Price 20o. GENERAL MISSIONARY BOOKS OH CHINA. T«renty-Six Vears of Missionary Work In China. By Mrs. Stott of the China Inland Mission (third edition). Prloe,|1.00. In the Far Bast. Letters of M. Geraldiue Guinness (Urs. Howard Taylor). Kew Edition 11.25. Memorials of R. Harold A. Scliofleld, M.A., B.A. (Oxon.) First Medical Missionary to Shan-sl, China. By A. T. bcofield, M.D., with Introduction by J. Hudson Taylor. 600. NEW MAPS. Small FoldlnjT Map. Cloth, SOo. Roller or Folding Maps. 30x40. $4.00. All Prices quoted Include Postage. The above may be ordered from the Office of the CHINA INLAND MISSION, 507 Church Street, - Toronto, Canada. mot COLLEGt TORONTO r.ant.ts.-^iii&f'. j i' M I WWa fe