t. I
had received at the breakfast-table a letter from Messrs. Killick,
Martin and Co., shipping agents, in which they stated that they could
offer us the whole passenger accommodation of the ship _Lammermuir_. I
went direct to the ship, found it in every way suitable, and paid the
cheque on account. As above stated, the funds deemed needed had been
already in hand for some time; but the coincidence of the simultaneous
offer of the ship accommodation and this munificent gift--GOD'S
"exceeding abundantly"--greatly encouraged my heart.

On the 26th of May we sailed for China in the _Lammermuir_, a missionary
party of 16 (besides my four children and their nurse, and Miss Bausum
(afterwards Mrs. Barchet)); in all 22 passengers. Mr. Berger took charge
of the home department, and thus the C. I. M. was fully inaugurated.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XX

THE MISSION IN 1894

THE events sketched in the last two chapters have been more fully
delineated by Miss Guinness in her interesting _Story of the China
Inland Mission_, which continues its history to the present date. It is
indeed a record of the goodness of GOD, every remembrance of which calls
for gratitude and praise. We can only here briefly mention a few facts,
referring our readers to Miss Guinness's work for all details.

After a voyage of many mercies the _Lammermuir_ party safely reached
China, and during the first ten years stations and out-stations were
opened in many cities and towns in four provinces which hitherto had
been unreached by the Gospel. At home Mr. and Mrs. Berger continued
their devoted service until March 19th, 1872, I having returned to
England the year before. Shortly after this the London Council was
formed, which has now for several years been assisted by an auxiliary
Council of ladies. A Scotch Council was also formed in Glasgow a few
years ago.

A visit to America in 1888 issued in the formation of the Council for
North America, and a similar Council for Australasia was commenced in
Melbourne two years later. In the field a China Council was organised in
1886, composed of senior missionaries who meet quarterly in Shanghai.

Closely associated with the C. I. M. are seven Committees--in England,
Norway, Sweden (two), Finland, Germany, and the United States--which
send out and support their own missionaries, who in China have the
assistance of the educational and other advantages of the C. I. M., and
who work under its direction.