Faith Missions

Preparing For Service

I now had two things in mind. I needed to learn to live in difficult conditions and to live on less money. This would make me better able to help those among whom I lived and worked to bring the Gospel.

I soon found that I could live on much less than I had first thought possible. By eating mainly oatmeal1 and rice, I found that a very small amount of money was enough for my needs.

It was an honor to serve my real, living God in this way. For me, it was a very serious thing to think of going out to China, far away from all human help. There I had no choice but to depend on the loving God alone for protection, food, and help of every kind. I felt that my spiritual being needed to be strengthened for such a task. I always reminded myself that faith did not fail, God would not fail.

But then, what if one’s faith should prove to be too weak? I had not at that time learned that even “if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. ” (2 Timothy 2:13) I held a very serious question in my mind.

The matter was not of Him being faithful or not. I questioned whether my faith was strong enough to allow me to enter into this great work set before me. I thought that when I got out to China, I should have no claim on anyone for anything.

My only claim would be on God. Because of this, it became very important to learn, before leaving England to move man, through God, by prayer alone!” At Hull, my kind employer asked me to remind him whenever my pay became due because he was always very busy.

This I decided not to do directly, but to ask God to cause him to remember. In this way, my faith would be strengthened by answered prayer. At one time, the day came near to be paid for three month’s work. As usual, I was praying about it.

The time came, but my friend said nothing. I continued praying and days passed on, but he did not remember. At last, one Saturday night, I found myself with only one coin, one half-crown.2 Still, I had all I needed and continued praying.

That Sunday was a very happy one. As usual, my heart was full and overflowing with blessings. After the church service in the morning, my afternoons and evenings were filled with Gospel work in the lodging homes in the poorest part ofthe town. I was so happy. At times it almost seemed as if Heaven had begun in my heart. All that I could want was a larger heart to hold more happiness.

After finishing my last service at about ten o’clock that night, a poor man asked me to go and pray with his dying wife. I quickly agreed. On the way to his house, I asked him why he had not sent for the priest, as the sound of his voice told me he was from Ireland.

He advised that he had done that but the priest refused to come without being paid eighteen pence. The man’s family was starving and he had no money. At this very time, I remembered that all the money I had in the world was the half-crown coin. I had a bowl of soup at home for supper. There was enough food in the house for breakfast in the morning, but nothing for dinner tomorrow.

At once, there was no happiness in my heart. Instead of admitting my lack of faith and refusal to obey, I began to tell the poor man that he was very wrong to have allowed things to get into such a condition.

He should have asked the government officer for help. He said he had done this and was told to come at eleven o’clock the next morning, but he was afraid that his wife might not live through the night.

“Ah,” I thought, “if only I had two shillings and a sixpence instead of this half-crown, how happy I would be to give these poor people one shilling of it!” But to part with the half-crown was far from my thoughts.

It did not come to my mind that the real truth was simply that I could trust in God and one-and-sixpence. However, I was not yet prepared to trust Him only, without any money in my pocket.

The poor man led me into a court and I followed with some fear. I had gone there before and had been given some rough treatment. My tracts were torn to pieces and I was warned not to come again. I felt more than a little concerned. Still, it was the path of duty and I followed on. He led me up to the second floor and into a very poor room.

What a terrible sight! Four of the five poor children stood about, their thin faces telling the story of low starvation. On a blanket on the floor was a poor mother, almost dead, holding a very small, newly born child, thirty-six hours old.

The child was not able to cry but only made a sad noise, for it too seemed too weak and failing. Again I thought, “If I had two shillings and a sixpence instead of half a crown, how happy f would be to give them one-and-sixpence of it!” But still, a terrible unbelief stopped me from obeying the calling in my heart to help them at the cost of all I had.

It would not seem unusual that I was unable to give hope to these poor people. I needed that myself. I began to tell them that they must not lose hope and that even if they were in great trouble, there was a kind and loving Father in Heaven.

But something told me that I was acting a lie by telling these unsaved people about a kind and loving Father in Heaven, and not being prepared to trust Him without half a crown!” I could hardly get my breath.

How easily I would have compromised with my conscience if I had had a florin and a sixpence! I would have given the florin thankfully and kept the rest. But I was not yet prepared to trust in God alone, without the sixpence.

Under these conditions, talking was impossible. Yet, I thought I should have no difficulty in praying. This was a happy thing for me in those days. Time spent in prayer never seemed to make me tired. It was easy to find words as I prayed. I seemed to think that I would only have to kneel and start praying and that help would come to them and me.

“You asked me to come and pray with your wife,” I said to the man, “let us pray.” And I knelt. But I had just opened my mouth to say “Our Father who art in heaven,” when my conscience said, “Will you make light of God? Will you kneel and call Him Father with that half-crown in your pocket?” Such a time of conflict came upon me as I have never felt before or since. How I got through that prayer I do not know. I cannot recall if the words I spoke were connected but I was very troubled as I got up from my knees.

The poor father turned to me and said, “You see what a terrible condition we are in. If you can help us, in God’s name, do! ” Just then the words quickly came into my mind, “Give to the one who asks you, ” (Matthew 5:42) and in the word of a King, there is power.

(Ecclesiastes 8:4) I put my hand into my pocket, slowly took out the half-crown, and gave it to the man. I told him that it might seem a small thing for me to help them, seeing that I was not in such a bad condition as they were. Yet, in parting with that coin, I was giving my all.

What I had been trying to tell him was very true – God was a Father and might be trusted. The happiness came back in a foil flood to my heart. I knew in my heart that God was pleased with me. That which stopped my spiritual happiness was gone. I hoped that it was gone forever.

Not only was the poor woman’s life saved, but I saw that my life was saved too! My Christian life and faith would have been a wreck if I had not obeyed the faithful leading of God’s Spirit. I found the grace of God to be stronger than all my problems. I remember that night very well.

As I went home, my heart was as light as my pocket. The empty streets were filled with a song of praise that I could not hold back. I thought as I ate my bowl of soup before going to bed that I would not have exchanged it for a great feast. When I knelt to pray at my bedside, I reminded the Lord of his own Word, that he who gives to the poor lends to the Lord.

I asked him not to let me lend it for long, or I would have no dinner for the next day. Having peace within and peace without, I spent a happy, restful night The next morning, the mailman was at the door before I finished eating my breakfast.

I did not usually receive letters on Monday because my family and friends did not mail letters on Saturday. And so, I was somewhat surprised when my landlady came in, holding a large letter. I looked at the letter, but could not make out the handwriting. It was not one that I could remember and the other markings were not clear.

Where it came from I could not tell. On opening the letter, I found nothing written but some fine gloves inside a piece of paper. To my great surprise, half a sovereign fell to the ground. “Praise the Lord!” I said quickly; “400 percent for twelve hours’ use.

That is a good rate of interest. How happy the businessmen men Hull would be if they could lend their money at such a rate!” I decided then that the Bank of Heaven which could not break should have all of my money. This is something I have never been sorry for.

I cannot tell you how often my mind has returned to this incident. Since that time, it has been such a help to me in difficult times. If we are faithful to God in little things, we will gain training and strength that will help us in the more serious trials of life.

More Answers To Prayer

This unusual and merciful help from God was a great blessing to me, adding much strength to my faith. But ten shillings, however carefully used, will not go very far.

It was necessary to continue in prayer, asking that my employer remember the larger part of my pay which I had not yet received.

I became more serious in asking God to remind my employer that the pay was late. It was not the need for money that troubled me.

I could have had that at any time by just asking. But the big question in my mind was if could go to China or not. I was troubled that my lack of faith and power with God would prove to be so serious as to stop me from entering this great and honorable work.

As the week ended, I felt very ashamed. There was not only me to think of. On Saturday night, a payment was due to the Christian woman whose room I rented.

I knew she needed it for her living. I was troubled with the question of asking for pay so that I could give her the money I owed. Yet, by doing that, I would admit to myself that I was not able to do the work of a missionary.

When I had free time from work, I gave nearly all of Thursday and Friday to serious calling on God in prayer. But still on Saturday morning, my problem was not solved.

My serious cry was for the Lord to show it was my duty to break the silence and speak to my employer. Should I continue to wait for the Lord’s time? After much prayer, I felt that it was best to wait for His time. I was sure that God would help me in some way.

So I waited, my heart at rest. At about five o’clock that Saturday afternoon, the doctor had finished his paperwork and completed his last duties for the day.

Sitting in his big chair, he began to speak ofthe things of God. He was truly a Christian, and we had many happy spiritual visits together. I was doing a medical test and boiling a pan of water. It was very good for me to be so busy.

All at once he said, “Tell me, Taylor, is it not time for your pay again?” You can imagine my feelings! I had to swallow two or three times before I could answer.

With my eyes on the pan and my back to the doctor, I told him as quietly as I could that it was due some time ago. How thankful I felt! God had heard my prayer. He had caused my employer to remember the pay without any word from me.

He answered, “Oh, I am so sorry you did not remind me! You know how busy I am. I wish I had thought of it sooner, for only this afternoon I sent all the money to the bank. Otherwise, I would pay you at once.”

It is impossible to describe the terrible feeling caused by these unexpected words. I did not know what to do.

Just at that time, my pan boiled and I had good reason to leave the room with it. I was pleased to get away and keep out of sight until after the doctor had returned to his house. I was very thankful that he had not seen my sad feelings.

As soon as he was gone I found a place to pray and poured out my heart before the Lord. Soon, a sense of calmness, thankfulness, and happiness came back to my heart. I felt that God had His way and was not going to fail me.

I had prayed to know His will early in the day. As far as I could judge, guidance had forme to wait quietly. Now God was going to work for me in some other way.

As usual, I spent that Saturday evening alone reading the Bible and preparing to preach in the usual lodging houses6 on the next day. I waited a little longer than usual. At last, about ten o’clock, I put on my coat and was preparing to leave for home.

I was thankful to know that by the time I arrived, the landlady would already be in bed. There was certainly no help for that night. Still, God may bring help for me by Monday enabling me to pay what I owed for my room early in the week.

As I was preparing to turn off the gas light, I heard the doctor’s footsteps in the garden between his house and the office.

He was laughing to himself as he entered and asked for the record book, telling me that a very unusual thing had happened.

A rich man had just come to pay his bill. What an unusual time this was to go out to pay a bill. It did not come to my mind that it might have anything to do with my problem. It might have made me feel ashamed.

But it made me laugh to think about a man who was rolling in wealth, coming after ten o’clock at night to pay a doctor’s bill.

He could have done this easily in the morning. It seemed that somehow he could not rest with this on his mind and felt that he must come at that unusual hour to pay what he owed.

The amount was written in the record book. As he was about to leave, the doctor turned quickly and gave me some of the money. To my surprise and thankfulness, he said “By the way, Taylor, you should take this money.

I do not have any change, but I can give you the rest next week.” Again I was left – my feelings undiscovered – to praise the Lord with a happy heart that after all, I might be able to go to China. To me, the thing was not a small matter. In difficult situations, thinking of it has given me great spiritual rest and strength.

Soon, the time came for me to leave Hull and receive medical training at the London Hospital. After a short time there, I had every reason to believe that my life in China would begin. I was very happy because ofthe willingness of God to hear and answer prayer.

He showed himself more than willing to help His half-trusting and frightened child. But I felt that I could not go to China without more work in developing and testing my power to rest upon His faithfulness. Soon, a special chance was given to me.

My father had offered to pay for my stay in London. I knew that because of recent losses, it would mean a real sacrifice for him to meet this cost. This came just when it seemed necessary for me to go forward.

I had recently come to know the Committee ofthe Chinese Evangelisation Society under which I finally left for China. I met its able leader Mr. George Pearse who became my much-loved friend. He worked for the Stock Exchange.2

Not knowing of my father’s offer, the Committee was also kindly prepared to pay for my stay in London. When these offers were first made, I was not clear as to what I should do.

I wrote to my father and the Chinese Evangelisation Society leaders, advising that I would take a few days of prayer before deciding the path to follow. I told them of the offers that each had made. While waiting upon God for guidance, it became clear that it would be easy to refuse both offers.

The leaders of the society would not know that I had put myself wholly on God for my needs. At the same time, my father would think that I had accepted the other offer.

I wrote and kindly refused both, feeling that without anyone to worry about my needs, I was simply in the hands of God. I felt that the Lord knew my heart and wished to send me to China. He would bless my effort at home to depend upon Him alone.

Life In London

I must not try to tell all how the Lord was pleased to help me from time to time. To my surprise and great joy, it happened often. I soon found that it was not possible to live on as little money in London as it was in Hull.

To cut costs, a cousin and I rented one room and lived together, four miles from the hospital. In preparing my food, I tried different things. I found that eating brown bread and water would save a considerable amount of my wages.

In this way, I was able to make God’s money last as long as possible. Some of my living costs could not be reduced, but my choice of food enabled me to save some money. Each day on my long walk home from the hospital, I bought a large piece of brown bread for two pennies.

On that food and a little fruit for lunch, I walked eight or nine miles a day and was on my feet much of the time at the hospital and medical school.

By getting his half-pay monthly and sending it to her, I was able to save her the cost that the bank would charge.

I had been doing this for several months when she wrote asking that I get the next payment as early as possible, as her rent was almost due. She depended upon that amount to pay it. By working hard for a test, I was hoping to get a gift for school fees which would help me. I was unwilling to waste time by going to the city during the busiest part of the day.

I had enough of my own money to send what she needed. So, I sent it to her, planning to go later and get her money and repay myself. Before the test, the medical school was closed for a day to mark the funeral of the Duke of Wellington.

This gave me a chance to go to the office near Cheapside and collect the pay. To my unhappy surprise, the man at the office told me that he could not pay it, because the officer had run away from his ship and gone to dig for gold. “Well,” I said, “that is not good at all for me because I have already sent the money. I know his wife will have no way -to pay me back.”

The man at the office said he was sorry but could only do as he was told. There was no help for me in that direction. A little more time and prayer brought the peaceful thought to my mind that I was depending on the Lord for everything. His ways were not limited.

It was a small thing to be brought into the position of bringing my needs to Him. The happiness and peace in my heart were not troubled for very long.

Soon after this, while putting together some writing paper for school, I accidentally stuck the first finger of my right hand.

However, the pain soon went away and I forgot all about it. The next day at the hospital I continued to operate as before. A person had died of a dangerous sickness that caused high temperature. The body was more than usually offensive and dangerous.

Those who worked upon it operated with special care, knowing that the smallest cut might cost our lives. Before the morning was half over, I began to feel very tired. At about noon, I had to run out to throw up.

This was most unusual for me, as I ate little food and nothing that could make me sick. Feeling very weak for some time, I found a drink of cold water helped me to feel better, enabling me to return to work.

Yet, the sickness increased and before the afternoon class was over, I found it impossible to continue taking notes. Before long, there was severe pain in my whole arm and right side. I was becoming very sick.

Unable to continue work, I went into the operating room to close up the body I was working on and put away my tools. I advised the teacher, a skilled surgeon that I was sick but was not sure of the cause. He told me that I had cut myself. To my surprise, he said that I had caught the sickness that killed the person on which I had been operating.

I told him that I had been most careful and was very certain that I had no cut or broken skin. “Well,” he said, “you certainly must have had one.” He looked very closely at my hand but found no break in my skin.

Then, I recalled that I had stuck my finger the night before and asked if it were possible that this wound could still have been open. He confirmed that this was the probable cause ofthe trouble. He advised that I get home as fast as I could to close my business. “For,” he said, “you are a dead man.”

I was hit with a feeling of sorrow that I could not go to China. Yet, very soon came the feeling, that unless I was greatly mistaken, I had work to do in China and would not die. I talked to this medical friend, who did not believe in God or spiritual things.

I talked of happiness in the possibility of soon being with my Master. I expressed the belief that I would not die. Unless I were much mistaken, I had work to do in China and must not lose the battle.

“That is all very well,” he answered, “but you get a hansom0 and go home as fast as you can. You have no time to lose, for you will soon be unable to finish up your business.” I smiled at the idea of going home in a hansom.

By this time there was too little of my money left to allow such a thing. So, I tried to walk home. It was not long before my strength gave way and it was useless to attempt to continue. I rode on a large bus from Whitechapel Church to Farringdon Street and another from Farringdon Street toward home.

In great suffering, I reached my home near Soho Square. Immediately, I got some hot water from the servant. I was as direct as my coming death would allow. Speaking to her very strongly, I advised her to accept salvation through Jesus Christ as the gift of God.

Pouring water over my head, I cut open the finger, hoping to let out some of the poisoned blood. The pain was very severe and I passed out for some time. On waking, I found that I had been carried to bed.

I had an uncle who lived nearby. He came in and sent for his doctor, an assistant surgeon at the Westminster Hospital. I told him that medical help would be of little use to me: I did not wish to spend the money that it would cost.

He quieted me on this point, saying that he had sent for his doctor and he would pay the bill. The surgeon examined me and said, “Well, if you have been living a clean life and without rich foods, you may pull through. But if you have been going in for strong drinks and that sort of thing, there would be no chance at all for you.”

I thought that if a clean life without rich food was to do anything, few could have a better chance. Little more than bread and water had been my only food for a long time. I told him I had lived very much that way and found that it helped my study.

“But now,” he said, “you must keep up your strength, for it will be a very hard battle.” He said I needed a bottle of port wine every day and as much good meat as I could eat.

Again I smiled to myself, having no money to buy such rich food. This difficulty was met by my kind uncle who immediately sent me all that was needed.

I was in great pain but still did not want my parents to know that I was sick. Thinking and praying about it caused me to believe that I was not going to die because there truly was work for me to do in China.

If my parents came up and found me in that condition, I would lose the chance to see how God was going to work for me, now that my money had almost come to an end.

After prayer for guidance, my uncle and cousin promised not to write to them, but to let me inform them myself. I felt it was a very clear answer to prayer when they gave me this promise.

I took care to wait until the crisis was well past and the most severe part of the sickness was over. Only then did I let them know. At home, they knew that I was working hard for a test and did not wonder at my silence.

Days and nights of suffering passed slowly by. After several weeks, I was strong enough to leave my room. I learned that two men working at another hospital had died of this same kind of sickness. I had been protected in answer to prayer to work for God in China.

 

Strengthened By Faith

One day the doctor came in and found me sitting in a chair. He was surprised to learn that with help, I had walked downstairs. He advised that I should get off to the country as soon as I was well enough and stay there to regain health and strength. To begin work too soon would cause the sickness to come again with serious results.

It seemed as if he were directing me to go again to the shipping office to ask about the pay had been unable to draw. I reminded Him that I did not have money to go by public transport and may not be able to get my pay. I asked if this was not just my idea to get some money and not His guidance and teaching. After prayer and more waiting, I was sure that He wanted me to go to the office.

I had to come downstairs and then walk over two miles. Certain of receiving whatever I requested of God, I asked Him for strength to make the long walk. Sending the servant for my hat and stick, I set out for Cheapside expecting God’s help.

Without question, I was strengthened by faith. Yet, I never took as much interest in store windows as I did on that trip. At every second or third step, I was happy to rest a little against the glass and look in. A special effort of faith was needed when I got to Farringdon Street to attempt the hard climb of Snow Hill. There was no Holbom Bridge in those days.

God helped me wonderfully. In time, I reached the office in Cheapside and sat down on the steps leading to the first floor. The businessmen hurried up and down the stairs looking at me with questioning eyes. After rest and more prayer, I climbed the stairs and was happy to find the man who had earlier spoken to me about the money.

Seeing me looking so colorless and weak, he asked about my health, I said that I was to go to the country but first wanted to check on the man who had run off to dig gold. He smiled, advising me that there was a mistake made with another man of the same name.

It appeared that the man was still on the ship and due to return to port within a day or two. He was happy to give me the half-pay to make sure that it would reach the wife safely. He knew of the temptations that attack the men when they arrive home after a long time at sea.

He invited me to come inside to eat part of his lunch. It was truly the Lord helping me and I thankfully accepted his offer. Having eaten and rested, I was given a piece of paper on which to write, advising the wife of the situation. On my way back, I mailed a money order for the amount due to her. After that, I felt that it was not a waste of money to ride a bus home.

Feeling very much better the next morning, I walked to the surgery of the doctor who had attended me. I had decided that it was not right for my uncle to pay my bills now that I had the money.

The kind surgeon refused to charge a medical student for his work. He allowed me to pay for the quinine he had given me. After that, the remaining money was just enough to take me home. It proved to me the work of God in my life.

Knowing that the surgeon claimed not to believe in God, I asked if I could speak to him freely. Advising that through God I owed my life to his kind care, I wished him the same faith in God that I had.

I told him of my reason for being in London, my plans to go to China and my refusal of help from my father and the leaders of the mission. I told him of the way God had taken care of me and how hopeless my position had been the day before when he had advised that I go to the country.

I told him of the battle in my mind and that I had walked from my house to Cheapside. Looking with disbelief, he told me that he had left me more like a spirit than a man. I had to tell him again and again that my faith gave me the strength to make the walk. Advising him of the money now in hand, I explained that just enough was left to go home to Yorkshire and buy food on the way.

My kind friend was completely broken down and told me with tears in his eyes that he would give all the world for a faith like mine. With great joy, I said that it was to be gotten without money. We never met again.

On my return to town, I found that he had suffered a stroke2 and had died. I was able to learn nothing about his spiritual condition on his death, but have always felt thankful that I had the chance to tell him of God.

I can only hope that the Master was speaking to him through me and that we shall meet again in the Better Land. It would be wonderful to be welcomed by him when my work is over.

The next day found me in my parent’s home. My joy in the Lord’s help was so great that I was unable to keep my secret to myself. Before my return to London, my mother knew of what had been happening in my life. After that, I was not allowed to live on the same kind of food as before my sickness. I needed more now and the Lord provided.

Mighty To Save

With the return of my health, I went back to London to start my schooling again. My busy study life was continued, often eased by happy Sundays with Christian friends. I found chances for service in every place. There was one case that gave me great faith in seeking the salvation of another.

Truly, this is the purpose for which He has given us everlasting life, as our Saviour Himself says, in John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ”

I was now to prove the willingness of God to answer prayer for a spiritual blessing under the most unpromising situation. Because of this, I gained a greater understanding of the prayer¬ answering God as One “mighty to save. ’’ (Zephaniah 3:17) A short time before leaving for China, it became my daily duty to change the bandage of a man suffering from a poisoned foot.

The disease started, as usual, its deadliness was not easy to see. The man had little idea that he must die within a short time. I was not the first to attend to him, but when the case was given to me, I became very concerned about his soul.

His family was Christian, but he was not hostile to any talk of God. Without asking him, they had asked a Scripture reader to visit.

In great anger, the man had ordered him to leave. The local pastor had also called, hoping to help him. But the man had spat in his face. His anger was very fierce, making help seem very hopeless.

I prayed much about my planned visits to him. For two or three days, I said nothing about his soul. By special care, I was able to greatly ease his sufferings and he began to be thankful for my help.

One day, with a fearful heart, I took the chance to tell him of what guided my life and the need for God’s mercy through Christ. Only by the power of his self-control did he keep his mouth closed. He turned over in bed with his back to me and did not speak.

I could not get the poor man out of my mind. Each day, I called on God to save the man before he died.

When changing the bandage to ease his pain, I never failed to say a few words which I hoped the Lord would bless. The man always turned his back to me, looking angry, but never answering a word.

After some time, my heart sank. It seemed that I was doing no good and was even hardening his heart and making him more guilty. One day, after caring for him, I stopped at the door and thought, “Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone. ” (Hosea 4:1 7) I looked at the man and saw his surprise, as it was the first time that I had left without going to his bedside to say a few words for my Master.

I could wait no longer. Breaking into tears, I walked over to him saying, “My friend, you may or may not listen to me. Yet, I must tell you what is in my heart.” I went on to speak very seriously to him, telling him how much I wished that he would let me pray with him.

To my great joy, he answered, “If it will be a help to you, do it.” I fell on my knees and poured out my whole soul to God for him. At that point, I believe the Lord made a change in his soul.

After this, he was always willing to be spoken to and prayed with. Within a few days, he accepted Christ as his Saviour. What a joy it was for me to see that man full of praise and happiness in the hope of the glory of God!

He told me that for forty years, he had never gone through the door of a church. He had only entered a place of worship to be married. Later, he would not even go inside for the funeral of his wife.

Thank God, I believe that his sin-marked soul was now washed and completely given to God, through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. During my early work in China, many situations have given me a deep sense of hopelessness.

I have thought of this man’s salvation and been strengthened to continue speaking the Word if men listened or not. The happy sufferer lived for some time and was never tired of giving witness to the grace of God.

Though his condition was very sad, this change in his life made my labor one of joy. I have often thought ofthe words, “He who goes out weeping,0 carrying seed to sow,0 will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves0 with him.”

We should all have that extreme hunger for souls that leads to tears. Then, we should more often see the victory we desire.

Sometimes we may speak unhappily ofthe hardness ofthe hearts of those we seek to see saved. The true cause ofour failure may be the hardness ofour own hearts and our weak understanding of the serious truth of heaven and hell.

Ocean Trip to China

At last, the time came for me to leave England for China. I had looked forward to this for a long time. I left London for Liverpool to go on the Dumfries, booked for me by the Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society,6 under whose care I was going to China. On September 19, 1853, a service was held in my small sleeping room at the back end of the ship.

My beloved mother had come to see me from Liverpool. I shall never forget that day. She went with me into the little room that was to be my home for nearly six long months. With a mother’s loving hand, she prepared the little bed. Sitting by my side, she joined me in the last Gospel song that we would sing together before I left home for a very long time.

We knelt and she prayed. It was the last Mother’s prayer I was to hear before starting for China. The time then came for us to separate and we had to say goodbye, never expecting to meet on earth again.

I shall never forget the cry of pain that was tom from that mother’s heart. It went through me like a knife. I never knew so fully the meaning of“God so loved the world.” I am sure that in that hour, my beloved mother depended more on the love of God than she had ever done in her life. Oh, what sorrow it must give the heart of God when He sees His children not caring about the needs of the wide world for which His beloved and only Son died!

“Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father’ house. The king will greatly desire your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. ” Psalms 45:10-11 Praise God, there is a growing number of people finding the joys given to those who follow Him. They empty their hearts of their own will and leave all to obey Him in the great work of spreading the Gospel.

On September 19, 1853, the Dumfries sailed for China. We arrived in Shanghai on March 1, in the spring of the following year. Our voyage had a rough beginning, but many had promised to remember us in continuous prayer.

This was a great help for we had just left the Mersey River when a fierce seasonal wind caught us. For twelve days, we were sailing up and down in the Irish Channel, unable to get out to sea.

The wind continued to increase and after almost a week, we were able to hide behind some land. But soon we had to raise the sails again and try to sail off into the wind. The greatest efforts of the captain and crew were useless. Sunday night found us being pushed into Carnarvon Bay, each tack becoming shorter, until at last, we were sailing very close to the rocks along the land.

About this time, as the ship was put around in the other direction, the Christian captain said to me, “We cannot live half an hour now. What of your call to labor for the Lord in China?” Before, I had passed through a time of great conflict, but that was over.

It was a great joy to tell him that I would not for any amount of money be in any other position. I informed him that I surely expected to reach China. If not, the Master would be pleased that I was seeking to obey His command.

Within a few minutes, the captain told me that the wind had changed two points, enabling us to sail out to sea. And so we did. Many parts ofthe boat were damaged, but in a few days, we moved into the open sea. The necessary repairs were made as we sailed so that our trip to China was not slowed down.

One thing was a great trouble to me that night. I was a very young believer and did not have enough faith in God to see Him working through the use of things. I had felt it a duty to obey my beloved and honored mother and to please her I bought a life preserver.3 But in my soul, I felt as if I could not simply trust in God while I had this life preserver. All hope of our ship being saved was gone. However, my heart had no rest until I gave it away.

Then with perfect peace, I put several light things together, likely to float at the time we would run into the rocks. I had no thought of wrongdoing and was not troubled that my actions and words did not agree.

Ever since I have seen the mistake I made. It is very common these days when false teaching on faith healing does much harm. It leads some to make mistakes about the purposes of God, shakes the faith of others, and troubles the minds of many.

The use of things should not weaken our faith in God. Also, our faith in God should not stop us from using whatever means are at hand to complete the work He has given. For years after this, I always took a life preserver with me and my mind was never troubled about it.

After the storm was over, the question was settled for me, through the prayerful study ofthe Scriptures. God led me to see my mistake, probably to free me from a great deal of trouble on similar questions now so often asked.

In medical work, I have always asked for God’s guidance and blessing in the use of tools and medicine and then been careful to give Him thanks for answered prayer and renewed health. But to me, it would seem foolish and wrong to fail to use those things which He has put within our reach.

In the same way, we would be unwise not to take daily food and think that we could have life and health by prayer alone. The ocean trip was a very unexciting one. Calm weather made us lose much time on the equator6 and through the Eastern Archipelago.

Usually, a light wind would spring up soon after the sun went down and last until daybreak. Our captain6 would make the most use of it. During the day, we lay still with empty sails.

Often, the wind would blow us back and rob us of a good part of the distance we had gained during the night. At one time, we were dangerously close to the north of New Guinea. Saturday night had brought us to a point some 45 to 50 kilometers off the land.

During the Sunday morning service, I could not fail to see that the captain looked troubled, often going over to the side ofthe ship. Later, I learned from him that the current was carrying us quickly towards some underwater reefs.5

We were already so near that it seemed unlikely that we should get through the afternoon in safety. After dinner, the long boat was put out and all hands tried to turn the ship from the land, but were not able to. As we stood together in silence, the captain said, “Well, we have done everything that can be done and we can only wait for the results.”

I said, “No, there is one thing we have not done yet.”
“What is it?” he asked.

“Four of us on the ship are Christians,” I answered. “Let us each go to our room and pray, asking the Lord to give us a wind. He can as easily send it now as after the sun goes down.” The captain agreed. I spoke to the other two men.

After praying together, we went to our rooms to wait upon God. I had a good but short time in prayer. Feeling so satisfied that our request would be given, I could not continue asking but went up on the deck.

The first officer, a godless man, was in charge. I asked him to let down the clews6 of the mainsail, which had been pulled up to stop the useless moving ofthe sail against the rigging.7

He asked why we would want to do that. I told him we had been asking for a wind from God and that it was coming soon. We were so near the reef that there was not a minute to lose. He looked at me as if I were insane and swore that it was better to see the wind than hear of it! But I watched his eye and followed it up to the royal,8 and there, the edge ofthe sail was beginning to move in the coming wind.

“Don’t you see the wind is coming? Look at the royal!” I said excitedly. “No, it is only a cat’s-paw,9,” he said. “Cat’s-paw or not,” I called, “please let down the mainsail and let us have the good from it!”

This he was not slow to do. In another minute, there was the loud sound of the crew running on the deck. This brought the captain up from his room to find that the wind had come. In a few minutes, we were making our way through the water pushed by a nice wind, and were soon out of danger. Though the wind was sometimes not strong, we did not lose it until after passing the Pelew Islands.

In this way, God helped my faith to grow. Before landing in China, I learned to bring every kind of need to Him in prayer and to expect that He would honor the name of the Lord Jesus and give the help needed.

Early Missionary Experiences

On landing in Shanghai on March 1, 1854, I found myself circled with completely unexpected difficulties. A group of rebels, known as the “Red Turbans,” had taken possession of the city. A government army of forty to fifty thousand men had come to fight. This army gave more trouble to the small European population than the rebels did.

The dollar which was worth about three shillings, had risen to a value of eight and ninepence.

The outlook was very dark for one with only a small income of English money. However, I had three letters from friends in England to bring to their friends in Shanghai asking them to help me. I was depending on these for help and advice, especially from one whose friends I knew well and highly valued. I looked for this friend at once, only to learn that he had recently died.

Saddened by this news, I searched for a missionary to whom another of my letters was written. But to my sorrow, I found that he had left for America. The third letter had been given to me by a person I did not know well. I had expected less from it than from the other two. Yet, it proved to be God’s way to help.

The letter was written to Rev. Dr. Medhurst, of the London Mission. He took me to meet Dr. Lockhart who kindly allowed me to live with him for six months. Dr. Medhurst helped me find my first Chinese teacher who with Dr. Edkins and the late Mr. Alexander Wylie gave me considerable help with the language.

Those were truly trouble-filled and dangerous times. One day I was coming out of the city with Mr. Wylie when he began talking to two carriers. We had been waiting for a friend at the East Gate.

An attack was made on the city by groups of soldiers on the opposite side ofthe river, causing us to hurry away to a place of less danger. We could hear the sound of the cannonballs that came flying over our heads.

The carriers stayed too long and were wounded. On settling, we went at once to the London Mission compound. At the door ofthe hospital, we found the two carriers with their feet smashed by a cannonball. They refused to allow their feet to be removed and both soon died. We felt how close our escape had been.

Early one morning, I had joined a missionary on his veranda to watch a fierce battle at a distance of two kilometers. All at once, a spent cannonball passed between us and buried itself in the veranda wall.

Another day, Mr. Wylie was sitting on a chair. He left for a few minutes and upon returning, found the arm of the chair broken off completely by a cannonball. But in the middle of such dangers, God protected us.

After my stay of six months with Dr. Lockhart, I rented a house outside the settlement and began missionary work among my Chinese neighbors as long as the war allowed. When the French joined the government army in attacking the city, the position of my house became very dangerous. During the last few weeks, the fighting prevented me from sleeping, except in the daytime.

One night, a fire appeared very near. I climbed up to a little place on the top ofthe house to see if it was necessary to escape. A cannonball hit the top edge of the roof of the next house, throwing pieces of broken rooftile6 all around me. The ball rolled down into the court below. It was heavy and could easily have hit me. I sent it to my mother who kept it for many years.

Before long, I had to return to the European settlement. I left just in time because, not long after, the house was burned to the ground. It is not possible to show any true picture of the frightfulness of this war. A gentle person would find the terrors, wrongs, and sorrow to be terrible things.

I was also very ashamed because of the lack of money. My income was eighty pounds a year. The need to pay one hundred twenty for the house forced me to rent out half of it. After Dr. Parker came, the Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society learned more about ofthe situation and increased my income. But many painful times had been passed through. Few realize.

How troubling these difficulties were to an inexperienced worker or the great loneliness of starting such new work. It was not a matter one could tell friends at home without appearing to be shamefully asking for help.

The great enemy was always to believe that “Everything is against me!” (Genesis 42:36) But, how false the word! The cold, the hunger, the watching, and the sleepless nights added to feelings of complete aloneness and helplessness.

All of this was wisely chosen by God and gently and lovingly measured out to me. What situations could have made the Word of God sweeter, the nearness of God so real and the help of God so priceless? They were truly times of pouring out self and I saw the smallness ofour true value. Yet that did not make me feel ashamed (Romans 5:5).

It strengthened my purpose to go forward as God might direct, with His proven promise, “I will be with you. I will never leave you or give up on you. ” (Joshua 1:5) One can see, even now, that “as for God, his way is perfect, ” (Psalms 18:30). Yet, we can be thankful that the missionary path of today is a much smoother and easier one.

The agreement between the Chinese and British governments did not include foreigners traveling inland. This was done with much difficulty, especially for some time after the Battle of Muddy Flat.

An American group of about three hundred soldiers, with fewer than a hundred men from the settlement, attacked and drove off an army of thirty to fifty thousand government soldiers. Their guns would shoot much farther than those of the Chinese. Still, in the autumn of 1854, 1 safely made a week-long trip with Dr. Edkins. He did the speaking and preaching while I passed out the Gospel books and tracts.

First Evangelistic Efforts

In the spring of 1855, 1 took a somewhat dangerous trip with the Rev. J. S. Burdon of the Church Missionary Society. He later became Bishop1 of Victoria, Hong Kong. In the great mouth of the River Yangtze, about thirty miles to the north of Shanghai is the group of islands of which Tsungming and Haimen2 are the largest and most important. Upriver is the important city of Tungchow, close to Lang-shan, or WolfMountains, famous as a holiday place for those who worship evil spirits.

We spent some time bringing the Good News to those islands and then went on to Lang-shan. Here we preached and gave books to thousands of the worshipers attending a special holiday for those who worship evil spirits. From there we went on to Tungchow, The following from my diary will tell of our painful time there:

Thursday, April 26, 1855 After breakfast, we prayed and placed ourselves in the care of our heavenly Father, asking for His blessing before we went to this great city. The day was cloudy and wet. We felt sure that Satan would not allow us to attack his area without a very serious fight.

The result later proved that this showed God’s watchfulness over us.

Our national teachers did their best to tell us not to go into the city. But we had decided that, with God’s help, nothing should stop us. We told them to stay in one of the boats. If we did not return, they were to learn what they could about what happened and return quickly to Shanghai to tell our friends. We also asked that the other boat wait for us, even if we could not get back that night.

Taking our books and a worker, we set to the city, about seven miles away. Walking was out of the question because the roads were very muddy. So we rode in wheelbarrows,0 the only transportation in these areas. Needing only one carrier, this was less costly but not a nice way to travel on rough, dirty roads.

We had not gone far before the worker asked to go back, as he was completely frightened by reports about the national soldiers. We told him to return, not wanting to involve another in trouble and decided to carry the books ourselves. We looked to Him for extra strength, for our body as well as spiritual strength, who had promised to provide all our needs.

At this point, a kind and important-looking man came up and seriously warned us against going on. He said that if we did, we should find to our sorrow what the Tungchow soldiers were like. We thanked him for his kind warning, but could not act upon it as our hearts were fixed.

We did not know if we were facing prison and death or to pass out Scriptures and tracts safely. But we had decided, by the grace of God, not to leave Tungchow any longer without the Gospel. We did not want its many thousands of citizens to die not knowing of the love of God.

After this, my wheelbarrow man would go no nearer the city. I found another with little difficulty. As we went on in the mud and rain, we could not help feeling the danger of our position, but our minds did not change.

From time to time we strengthened each other with Scripture and singing Gospel songs. I recall one such song which seemed to fit our situation very well and made me feel much better.

The dangers of the sea, the dangers of the land, Should not frighten you: your Lord is near at hand. But should your fearlessness fail, when tried and strongly troubled, His promise shall stand true, and set your soul at rest We passed through one small town of about a thousand souls.

In the Mandarin language, I preached Jesus to a good number of people. Never was I so happy in speaking of the love of God and the atonement of Jesus Christ. My soul was richly blessed and filled with joy and peace.

I was able to speak with unusual ease How happy I was when, after preaching, I heard one of our listeners repeating to newcomers, the truths of which I had spoken. Oh, how thankful I felt to hear a Chinese telling his friend that God loved them, that they were sinners, but that Jesus died instead of them and paid for their guilt! That one time was worth all the trials we had passed through. I felt that if the Lord should give His Holy Spirit to change the heart of that man, we had not come for nothing.

We passed out a few New Testaments and tracts for the people to be able to read. We could not leave them without the Gospel. It was well that we did so, for when we reached Tungchow we found we were so tired that we were pleased to have only a light load.

Nearing the end of our trip, at the west side of the city, I recalled the prayer of the early Christians, when mistreatment was starting. “And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with great fearlessness. ” (Acts 4:29) In this prayer we fully joined with the early Christians.

Before entering the edge of town, we made our plans so that we could act together. We informed our wheelbarrow men where to wait for us so that they would not get into any trouble. Then, looking up to our heavenly Father, we placed ourselves in His keeping, took our books, and set off for the city.

We walked along the road to the West Gate and smiled at the unusual name of heh-kwai-tsi (black spirits) which was given to us. We wondered about it but later found that it was our clothes that caused them to use this name for us. Passing several soldiers, I said to Mr. Burdon that these were the men we had heard so much about. They seemed willing to receive us quietly enough.

Long before reaching the gate, a tall powerful man made fierce by drink stopped us. He roughly held Mr. Burdon, letting us know that all the soldiers were not so peacefully minded. My friend tried to shake him off. As I turned to see what the trouble was, we were encircled by twelve or more cruel-looking men who hurried us onto the city.

Soon, my load became more than I could carry and I was unable to change hands to help myself. I was soon very hot and hardly able to keep up with them. We demanded to be taken before the chief judge but were told that they knew where to take us and what to do with people like us. They spoke to us using the most insulting names.

The fierce, drunken man soon left Mr. Burdon and became my chief trouble. I was neither as tall nor strong as my friend and was less able to stand against the man. He hit me and almost made me fall again and again.

Taking me roughly by the hair, he held my clothes around my neck and almost stopped my breath completely. He held me hard around my arms and the top of my body making these parts black and blue. Had this treatment continued much longer, I would have passed out.

With my strength almost gone, it was a joy to remember a few lines about heaven that my mother wrote in her last letter to me: We speak of the home of the blest, That country so bright and so fair, And often are its glories confessed; But what must it be to be there! To be gone from the body! To be present with the Lord! To be free from sin! This is the end of all that man’s evil can ever bring upon us.

As we walked along, Mr. Burdon tried to give away a few books, not knowing if we might have another chance to do so. But the soldier became angry and demanded that handcuffs be brought. None could be found, but this showed us that we could do no good in trying to pass out books. There was nothing to be done but quietly obey and go with the soldiers.

One or two times, they argued about what should be done with us. One said that we should be taken to the judge’s office, but others wanted to kill us at once without appeal to any government officer.

We were at peace, recalling that the apostles were happy to be thought honorable enough to feel pain for the cause of Christ. From my pocket, I took a Chinese name card. 1 demanded that we be led to the office of the chief official and the card be presented to him. After this, we were treated with more honor. Before this, we had been unable to make them understand that we were foreigners although we wore English clothes.

Oh, we were roughly pulled through many long tiring roads that did not seem to end. I have never felt more thankful than when we stopped at the house where a Mandarin lived.

We were both very tired and in serious need of a drink of water. Resting against a wall, I asked them to bring us something to sit on, but they told us to wait. On begging them to give us something to drink, I received the same answer.

Around the doorway, a large crowd had gathered. Collecting his remaining strength, Mr. Burdon preached Jesus Christ. The cards and books had been taken into the mandarin. Since he was a low-level official, he finally sent us to a higher officer.

Finding that they planned to turn us out again into the crowded roads, we refused to move one step and demanded that sedans be brought. This was done after some dispute and we were carried off.

On the road,- we felt so thankful for the chance to rest and for having preached Jesus in the face of Satan’s evil efforts. Our joy must have shown on our faces. As we passed along, we heard some say that we did not look like bad men. Others seemed to feel sorry for us.

On arrival at the judge’s office, I wondered where we were being taken. We had passed through great doors that looked like those of the city wall, but we were still within the city. We entered a second door which made it appear to be a prison.

But on seeing a large sign made of stone, with the words “Ming chi fu mu” (the father and mother of the people), we felt that we had been carried to the right place, this being the official name used by the mandarins.

Our cards were again sent in. After a short delay, we were taken in to see Ch’en Ta Lao-ie (the Great Honorable Father Ch’en), who had been Tao-tai of Shanghai. He knew the importance of treating foreigners with kindness. Coming before him, some of the people fell on their knees and put their heads down to the ground. My guard motioned me to do the same, but I did not obey.

This mandarin seemed to be the highest official ofTungchow and wore a solid blue button on his hat. He came out and treated us with every possible sign of honor. He took us to a more private room, but we were followed by many writers, runners, and other officials.

I explained the reason for our visit and begged to be allowed to give him copies of our books and tracts, for which he thanked me. Giving him a copy of the New Testament with part of the Old (from Genesis to Ruth), I made a short explanation of our teachings. He listened very carefully, as did all the others present. He then ordered food which he ate with us.

After a long stay, we asked to be permitted to see something of the city. Before leaving, we wanted to hand out the books we had brought. He kindly agreed. We said we had earlier been most dishonorably treated. We told him we understood that the soldiers knew no better. However, we asked him to give orders that we were not to be troubled anymore.

This he promised to do and with every possible sign of honour, walked with us to the door of his official home. Several runners were sent to ensure that we were treated with honor. We handed out our books and left the city. It was interesting to see how the runners made use of their queues.8 When the road was blocked by the crowd, they used these to hit the people.

We found our wheelbarrows and paid off the sedan0 carriers. Then we sat on our simple transports and returned to the river. We were followed for half the distance by a worker from the judge’s office. Early in the evening, we got back to the boats in safety, truly thankful to our heavenly Father for His gracious protection and aid.

With The Rev. William Bums

After the retaking of Shanghai by the foreign military forces in February 1855, 1 was able to rent a house within the walls of the city. I was very happy to have the chance to live among the crowded population left in the remains of the city that had been destroyed by the war. Here I made my headquarters, being often away on long preaching trips.

The Chinese had permitted a foreign company to build an asilk1 factory some distance inland.

They made the condition that the design of the building must be purely Chinese and that there should be nothing on the outside to show that it was foreign. Much good resulted from this change of clothing. I have continued to wear Chinese clothes as have others in the mission.

Starting in 1851, the Taiping rebellion had reached the limit of its short-lived victory. The great city of Nanking had fallen before the attacking army. There, within two hundred miles of Shanghai, the rebels had made their headquarters and begun to strengthen themselves for more victory.

During the summer of 1855, many attempts were made to visit the leaders of the rebellion and bring some clear Christian influence upon them. But so little result was seen, that these efforts were not continued.

A number of us had tried to reach Nanking. Finding it impossible to do so, I turned my efforts again to spreading the Gospel on the island of Tsungming. Slowly, I was able to overcome the strong feelings against me and the fears of the people.

This enabled me to rent a little house and live among them. It was a great joy and made my hope stronger. Sadly, objections were soon made by the local officials to the British Consul,2 who forced me to leave the area.

At the same time, the French Consul himself had found a property for the Roman Catholic missionaries just a short distance from the house I had to leave. Painfully disappointed by this unexpected problem, I returned to Shanghai, a little dreaming of the blessing that God had in store for me there.

The Rev. William Bums of the English Presbyterian Mission had arrived in that port on his return trip from home. Before going on to his former place of service in the southern province of Fukien, he had tried, like me to visit the Taiping rebels at Nanking.

Failing in the attempt, he made his temporary headquarters in Shanghai and worked to evangelize the nearby area that was heavily populated. In the autumn of that year, I was led by God’s providing hand to work with this beloved and honored laborer of God.

We traveled together, spreading the Good News to cities and towns in south Kiangsu and north Chekiang, living in our boats and following the canals and rivers that spread over the whole face of the rich, fertile country. Mr. Bums at that time was wearing English clothes.

He saw that while I was younger and had been in this work a shorter time, I had the quiet listeners while he was followed by the rough fellows. He also saw that I was invited to the homes of the people while he received the excuse that the following crowd was too large. After some weeks, he too began to wear the Chinese clothes and enjoyed the increased acceptance that it gave.

Those happy months were a great joy and almost like a gift to me. His love for the Word was wonderful. His holy, God-honoring life and continual visits with God made friendship with him satisfying the deep desire of my heart.

His stories of working to spread the Gospel and of mistreatment during his work in Canada, Dublin, and southern China were informative and interesting.

With true spiritual wisdom, he would often point out God’s purposes in a way that made the trials of life take on a new outlook and value. He had ideas about evangelism as the great work of the Church.

He saw the order of lay evangelists as a lost order that Scripture commands to be put back into use. These thoughts were seeds that were to prove fruitful in the design and planning of the China Inland Mission.

Still, our path was not always a smooth one. When permitted to stay in a city for any length of time, we used the chance completely. After prayer for blessing, we would leave our boats at about nine o’clock in the morning, carrying a light bamboo chair. Choosing a good place, one of us would stand on the chair and speak for twenty minutes while the other prayed for a blessing.

Then changing places, the first speaker had a rest. After an hour or two, we would move to a distant point and speak again. Usually about noon, we returned to our boats for dinner and prayer and then continued our outdoor work until sunset.

After supper and a little rest, we would go with our national helpers to some teashop, where several hours might be spent talking with the people. Many times before leaving a town, we had good reason to believe that much truth had been understood and we placed many Scriptures and books in the hands of those interested.

About this time, the following letter was written by Mr. Bums to his mother at home in Scotland:

Twenty-five Miles from Shanghai,

January 26, 1856

Making use of rainy days which keep me in my boat, I write a few lines, in addition to a letter to Dundee, containing details that I need not repeat. It is now forty-one days since I left Shanghai on this last trip.

A young English missionary, Mr. Taylor, of the Chinese Evangelisation Society,0 has been my co-worker during these weeks, he in his boat, and I in mine, and we have received much mercy, and at some times, great help in our work.

I must once more tell the story I have had to tell more than once—how four weeks ago, on December 29, 1 put on the Chinese clothes, that I am now wearing. Mr. Taylor had made this change a few months before, and I found that because of this he was so much better received by the crowd, that I decided it was my duty to follow his example.

We were at that time more than two times the distance from Shanghai that we are now, and would still have been at as great a distance had we not met at one place with a group of lawless people, who demanded money and threatened to break our boats if their demands were refused.

The boatmen were frightened and made it clear that they wanted to return to some place nearer home. Earlier, these people had violently broken into a part of Mr. Taylor’s boat, because their unreasonable demand for books was not obeyed.

We have a large, very large field of labor in this area, while it might be difficult at this time for one to live for very long in any one place; the people listen with thoughtfulness, but we need the power from on High to cause them to understand and be saved. Is there any spirit of prayer for us among God’s people in Kilsyth? or is there any effort to seek this spirit? How great the need is, and how great the arguments and reason for prayer in this case.

The fruit to be gathered here is very great, and the laborers are few, and imperfectly fitted without much grace for such a work. Yet grace can make the few and weak laborers the means of doing great things—things greater than we can even imagine.

The incident spoken of in this letter took place near the northern border of Chekiang. It led to our return to Shanghai sooner than we had at first planned. We had reached a busy market town known by the name ofWuchen, or Black Town.

We had been told the citizens were the wildest and most lawless people in that part of the country. That was just how we found them to be. The town was a refuge for salt smugglers and many other bad people.

The following is taken from my diary, written at the time:

January 8, 1856

Started our work in Wuchen this; morning by passing out a large number of tracts and some New Testaments. The people seemed very surprised, and we could not learn that any foreigner had been here before. We preached two times; once in the church house of the God of War, and after that in a space left by a fire, which had destroyed many houses.

In the afternoon we preached again to a large group that listened carefully at the same place, and in the evening moved to a teashop0 where we had a good chance of speaking until many people heard that we were there, and when too many people were coming in, we felt we should leave before our being there slowed the teashop business.

Our national helpers, Tsien and Kuei-hua, were able, however, to remain. Returning to our boats, we spoke to some people standing on a bridge and felt we had much reason to be thankful and our hearts were strengthened by the result of our first day’s labor.

January 10

First sent Tsien and Kuei-hua to pass out some tracts. After their return, we went with them, and in a space cleared by fire, we separated and spoke to two groups. On our return to the boats at noon, we found people waiting, as usual, and desiring books. Some were passed out to those who were able to read them.

Asking them kindly to excuse us while we ate, I went into my boat and shut the door. Before there was time to pour out a cup of tea a loud noise of something hitting the boat began and the roof was at once broken in. I went out at the back and found four or five men taking the large pieces of frozen dirt turned up in a field close by— weighing from seven to fourteen pounds (3 to 6 kg.) each— and throwing them at the boat.

Reasoning with them was of no use and it was not long before a considerable part of the top part of the boat was broken to pieces, and dirt covered the things inside. Finally, Tsien got a boat that was passing to take him a short distance away, and by passing out a few tracts drew away the thoughts of the men, ending the attack.

We now learned that of those who had harmed only two were from that place. The others were salt smugglers. The reason was that we had not satisfied their unreasonable demand for books.

Through God’s providing hand, no one was injured. As soon as it was quiet again, we all met in Mr. Burns’s boat and joined in thanksgiving that we had been saved from personal harm, praying also for those who caused the trouble. We prayed that this might be turned into good for us all.

We ate and left the boat, speaking to a large group that soon gathered not far away. We were especially helped by the Lord. Never were we heard with more care. Not one voice was found to side with the men who had troubled us.

In the evening the same spirit was shown at the teashops and some seemed to hear with joy the Good News of salvation through a crucified and risen Saviour. As we came home, we passed a hair-cutting shop still open. I went in and while getting my hair cut, spoke to a few people and put two tracts on the wall for others to read.

An honorable shopkeeper by the name of Yao had received parts of the New Testament and a tract, on the first or second day of our stay at Wuchen. He came yesterday when our boat was broken, to beg for some more books. At that time, we were all in disorder from the damage done and from the dirt thrown into the boat.

So we asked him to come again in a day or two when we would be happy to help him. This morning he appeared and handed in the following note:

On a former day, I begged Bums and Taylor, the two “Rabbis,” to give me good books. It happened at that time those of our town whose hearts were tricked by Satan, not knowing the Son of David, were so foolish as to “race” and “more” and injure your honored boat.

I thank you for promising after this to give the books, and beg the following: Complete New Testament, Discourse of a Good Man When Near His Death, Important Christian Doctrines, 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. More praise is unwritten.

This note is interesting, as showing that he had been reading the New Testament thoughtfully, as the italicized words were all taken from it. His use of “race” and “moreh” for speaking roughly and unkindly, shows their meaning was not lost on him.

After bringing books to this man, we went out with Tsien and Kuei-hua to the east of the town and spoke on the road for a short time. On our return to the boats, I was visited by two Chihli6 men from the judge’s office. The Lord greatly helped me in speaking to them in the Mandarin language of a crucified Saviour.

While one of them did not show much concern, the other did and asked questions that showed the interest he was feeling. When they departed, I left the boat and spoke to the people gathered there, to whom Kuei-hua had been preaching.

The setting sun provided an example and reminded one of the words of Jesus, “Night is coming when no one can work.” I spoke of the uncertain length of this life and of the fact that we do not know the time of Christ’s return. A degree of deep seriousness settled on them that I had never before seen in China.

I began to pray and could see clearly that God was speaking to their hearts. I returned to my boat with a Buddhist priest who had been in the group. He admitted that Buddhism was a system of trickery that could give no hope in death.

January 12

In the afternoon we spoke to the people close to our boats, on one of the roads of the city, and in a teashop. Books were passed out each time we spoke. In the evening, we went as usual to speak in the teashops.

This time, we decided to go to the opposite end of the town to give the people there a better chance to meet with us. It was a long village, nearly three kilometers in length. As Mr. Bums and I usually talked together in Chinese, this plan was known to those in the boats.

After a short distance, we changed our minds. Instead, we went to the usual teashop, thinking that people might have gone there expecting to meet us. But this was not the case. We did not find such serious listeners as we had found before. Mr. Bums thought it would be good to leave earlier than usual.

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. It was unusual but we were left to go alone with no one going with us as they usually did.

It was no longer a clear night and we found that it had become very dark. On our way, we met the boatman who acted as if something were wrong. Without giving any reason, he blew out the light in our lamp.

We relighted it, telling him not to put it out again. To our surprise, he carefully put out the light so that it could not be relighted. Then, walking down along a low wall that went out to the river’s edge, he looked into the water.

Not knowing what the trouble was, I ran forward to hold him, afraid that he was going to drown himself. I was very thankful when he came quietly back. In answer to our repeated questions, he told us to be very quiet.

He said softly that some bad men were wanting to destroy the boats. He and his friends had moved the boats away to escape from them. He then led us to the place where one of the boats was hidden. Before long, Tsien and Kuei-hua came and got safely on the boat. Soon after, we were joined by the teacher Sung and the boat moved away.

The cause of all this trouble was then explained. A man had come to the boats while we were gone, claiming to be a policeman. He carried a written demand for ten dollars and an amount of opium.

He said that there were more than fifty country people (salt smugglers) waiting for our answer in a nearby teashop. If we gave them what they wanted and three hundred dollars to pay for their tea, we might remain in peace. But if not, they would come at once and destroy our boats.

Sung told them that we could not obey their demand because our only business was in preaching and passing out books. We had no opium and little money. The man told Sung that he did not believe him. There was nothing for him to do but to ask the man to wait for our return. Not knowing that we had changed our plans, he looked for us in the wrong direction.

While Sung was looking for us, the boatmen had been able to move off. They were very much afraid. Having so recently seen what these men would do openly in the day, they felt no desire to see what they might try by night. When they moved away, they had gone to different places, so that if one boat should be damaged the other might give us an escape.

It was after this we had, by God’s providing hand, met the boatman and been led onto the boat. As Sung passed the place where the boats had been tied up, he saw twelve or more men between the trees. He heard them asking where the boats had gone but no one could tell. Thankfully, they did not find us.

After some time, the boats joined and moved along together. It was already late. Traveling by night in that part of the country was not the way to escape from evil men. So the question came as to what should be done.

This we left for the boatmen to decide. They had moved off of their own decision. We felt that we could not ask others to remain in a position of danger because of us. We strongly asked them to do quickly whatever they planned to do.

Tomorrow was the Lord’s Day when we did not wish to travel. We told them that no matter what, we must preach the Gospel. It made little difference where we might stay. Even if we passed the night and were not seen, we were sure to be found out on the following morning.

The men decided that we might as well return to the place from which we had started. This was agreeable to all and so the boatmen turned back. But, they got into another river and pushed along for some time but seemed to have become lost. At last, it became very dark, so they tied up the boat for the night.

Calling the boatmen and our national helpers, we read Psalm 91 to them. The words expressed our needs at that time. How sweetly cheering was this part of God’s Word: “1 He who stays under the protection of the Most High will rest in the security of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my strong house, my God, in whom I trust. ” 3 Surely he will save you from the one who wants to catch you in his trap and from deadly sickness.

He will cover you with his protection, and under his care, you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your defense and safe place. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day. . . 14 “Because he loves me, ” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he knows my name. 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation. ” (Psalms 91).

With our prayer, we placed ourselves in His care and keeping. He had covered us with thick darkness and permitted us to escape from the hands of vicious men. We retired for the night, thanks to the kind protection of the Watchman of Israel who neither sleeps nor forgets His people.

We slept in quiet, and peace and were able to see more clearly, the truth of that Word which I love, “You are my hiding place and my shield.” Sunday, January 13

This morning I was awakened at about 4 a.m. by a very sharp pain in the knee joint. I had hit it so hard the day before that it turned black and blue and now was enlarged and hot. To my great surprise, I heard rain pouring down. The weather had been very nice. On looking out, we found ourselves near the place where we had tied up the boats before. If nothing had happened to stop us, we would have felt it necessary to go into the town to preach as usual.

But the rain was so great all day that no one could leave the boats. And so, we enjoyed a very wonderful day of rest, such as we had not had for some time. The weather did not allow much chance for questions to be asked about us.

Had the day been fine we would most likely have been discovered, even if we had not left the boats. As it was, we were allowed to think in peace, and with wonder and thankfulness, of the kind dealings of our God, who had in this way led us apart into “a desert place” for a little rest.

Monday, January 14

A cloudless morning. One of the national helpers went before daylight to get some clothes that had been given out for washing. He came back with the news that, even with the pouring rain of yesterday, men had been looking for us in all directions.

We had been kept, however, in peace and safety under “the shadow of the Almighty.” The boatmen were now so completely afraid that they would stay no longer and moved off at daylight. I was forced to stay in the boat with my injured knee and had no other choice but to go with them. In the afternoon we reached Pingwang, on the way to Shanghai.

The harm that God blesses is our good,
And unblessed good is harm;
And all is right that seems most wrong,
If it be His sweet will.

Called To Swatow

Leaving the village of Black Town was a real disappointment to us. We had wanted to spend some time there sharing the Gospel. Yet, these trying happenings were a necessary step leading to greater things. God does not permit trials to come without a sure reason. He was leading us in a way that we did not know, but it was His way.

Oh Lord, how happy should we be
If we would throw our care on You,
If we from self would rest;
And feel at heart that One above,
In perfect understanding, perfect love,
Is working for the best!

He explained to us what was happening there. British people were living on Double Island, doing business in drugs and working in the slave trade. Yet, there was no British missionary to preach the Gospel.

The Spirit of God gave me the urge that this was His call. But for days, I felt that I could not obey it. I had never been blessed with such a spiritual father as Mr. Bums and had never known such holy, happy times. I said to myself that it could not be God’s will that we should separate.

One evening, I was very troubled and went with Mr. Bums to take tea at the house of the minister, R. Lowrie of the American Presbyterian Mission. He lived at the South Gate of Shanghai. After tea, his wife let us hear “The Missionary Call.” Having never heard it before, it had a great effect on me.

My heart was almost broken before it was finished. In the words they sang, I said to the Lord:

And I will go.
I may no longer care to give up friends
And my plans,
And every earthly desire that fastens my heart to you,
my country.

From now on I care not
Ifstorm or sun be my earthly place, bitter or sweet my cup,
I only pray,
God make me holy and my spirit strong for the hard
hour of trouble.

When we left, I asked Mr. Bums to come home with me to the little house that was still headquarters in the city. With much crying, I told him how the Lord had been leading me and that I had been a rebel in not being willing to leave him for this new place.

He listened with surprise and happiness and answered that he had, that very night, decided to tell me that he had heard the Lord’s call to Swatow. He said that his only sorrow was the thought of leaving me. We went together and began missionary work in that part of China, which in later years has been greatly blessed.

Long before this time, the city of Swatow and the nearby area had been served by the minister, R. Lechler of the Basel Missionary Society. Chased from place to place, he did work that we did not forget and finally retired in Hong Kong.

For more than forty years, this minister of God has continued in “great labor.” Recently, he has left Hong Kong with his wife, to return inland and spend the rest of his years among the people he has so long and truly loved.

Captain Bowers was our Christian friend whom God had used to bring the needs of Swatow to Mr. Bums and me. He was full of joy when he heard our decision to give ourselves to preach to this busy, important center of the population. About to sail on his return trip, he offered us free passage on his ship, the Geelong. We accepted and left Shanghai early in March 1856.

A nice trip of six days brought us to Double Island where we found ourselves with a small but very bad group of foreign people. They took part in businesses that included the trade in illegal drugs.

We were not willing to be a part of such a group and wanted to live within the city on a part of the mainland seven kilometers away at the mouth of the Han River. We had great difficulty in our attempt to get a place among the people. It seemed as if we should fail and we knew we had to come to the Lord in prayer.

Our God soon did undertake for us. One day, we met with a Cantonese1 man, a family member ofthe high official in the town. Mr. Bums spoke to him in the Cantonese language, making him very pleased at being spoken to by a foreign person in his language.

He soon became our friend and rented us a little room in which to stay. We were thankful because it was impossible to find a better place. Our travels took us around the country. The difficulty and danger were so great that our former work in the North began to appear safe and easy by comparison.

The hate and anger of the Cantonese was very painful. We were called “foreign evil spirits,” “foreign dog,” or “foreign pigs.” But this led us to walk more closely than ever before with “Him who was not accepted of men.”

In our visits to the country, we were in danger of being taken at any time and held for ransom.2 The people often said that the whole area was “without a king and law.” Certainly, strength was the miler in those days.

At one time, we were visiting a small town and found that the people had captured a wealthy man from another tribe. A large price was asked for his release. Because he refused to pay, they used a stick to cruelly smash the bones just above his feet, one by one. Finally, they received the promise they wanted.

There was nothing but God’s protection to keep us from being hurt in the same way. Every town had a wall and would contain ten or twenty thousand people ofthe same tribe who were often at war with the people living in the next town. To be kindly received in one place was usually a reason for danger in the next. In these times, God’s power was often shown.

After a time, the local mandarin became sick and the doctor was unable to help him. Hearing ofour medical ministry, he wanted our help. God gave a blessing on the medicine given. Thankful for our help, he said we should rent a house for a hospital and a place for people to receive medical treatment.

And so, we were able to rent the whole house, one room ofwhich we had lived in before. I had left my medicine and surgery instruments with a friend, the late Mr. Wylie in Shanghai and went back at once to get them.

Mr. Bums came down to see me off from a town called Ampow that we had visited together several times. On my departure, he returned with two national evangelists sent up from Hong Kong by a minister, J. Johnson, of the American Baptist Missionary Union.

The people were willing to listen to their message and accept their books as a gift, but they would not buy them. One night, someone broke in and stole everything they had except their books which were thought to have no value.

Early the next morning, people came to buy books. By breakfast, they not only had enough money to buy food, but they also had enough money to pay for one ofthe men to take a trip to Double Island below Swatow, carrying a letter to Mr. Bums’s friend, requesting him to send some of Mr. Bums’s money.

People came to buy all day and the next day our friends needed nothing. But on the third day, they could not sell any books. Then, when the money was gone, the messenger returned with more food and things they needed.

Early in July, after about four months’ stay in Swatow, I left for Shanghai. I had planned to return in a few weeks with my medical equipment for more work with William Bums. A new field of promise seemed to be opening before us. With much hope, we looked forward to the future. A great blessing was in store for the city and area of Swatow.

But it was not the purpose of God that either of us should remain to experience the result. Soon after I left, Mr. Bums was arrested, put in prison, and sent to Canton. On his return to Swatow after the war had broken out, he was called away for another service, preventing his future return. On the other hand, my trip to Shanghai proved to be the first step leading to other areas ofwork.

The Missionary Call

1. My soul is not at rest.
There comes a different and quiet voice to my spirit
Like a dream at night,
That tells me I am on holy ground.

The voice of my risen Lord, Go teach all nations Comes on the night air and awakes my ear.

2. Why do I live here?
The command of God is on me and I may not stop to play with useless things
Or gather earthly flowers,
Until my work is done and my report is given.

3. And I will go.
I may no longer care to give up friends
And my plans,
And every earthly desire that fastens my heart to you, my country.

4. From now on I care not
Ifstorm or sun be my earthly place, bitter or sweet my cup,
I only pray,
God make me holy and my spirit strong for the hard hour of trouble.

5. And when one for whom
Satan has tried, as he has for me, and has received at last
That blessed place
Oh, how this heart will shine with thankfulness and love.

Through all the years of forever, my spirit never shall repent.
That work and pain once were mine below.