to leave, when suddenly he turned, and handing me some of the bank notes
just received, said, to my surprise and thankfulness, "By the way,
Taylor, you might as well take these notes; I have not any change, but
can give you the balance next week." Again I was left--my feelings
undiscovered--to go back to my own little closet and praise the LORD
with a joyful heart that after all I might go to China.

To me this incident was not a trivial one; and to recall it sometimes,
in circumstances of great difficulty, in China or elsewhere, has proved
no small comfort and strength.

By-and-by the time drew near when it was thought desirable that I should
leave Hull to attend the medical course of the London Hospital. A little
while spent there, and then I had every reason to believe that my
life-work in China would commence. But much as I had rejoiced at the
willingness of GOD to hear and answer prayer and to help His
half-trusting, half-timid child, I felt that I could not go to China
without having still further developed and tested my power to rest upon
His faithfulness; and a marked opportunity for doing so was
providentially afforded me.

My dear father had offered to bear all the expense of my stay in London.
I knew, however, that, owing to recent losses, it would mean a
considerable sacrifice for him to undertake this just when it seemed
necessary for me to go forward. I had recently become acquainted with
the Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society, in connection with
which I ultimately left for China, and especially with its secretary, my
esteemed and much-loved friend Mr. George Pearse, then of the Stock
Exchange, but now[1] and for many years himself a missionary. Not
knowing of my father's proposition, the Committee also kindly offered to
bear my expenses while in London. When these proposals were first made
to me, I was not quite clear as to what I ought to do, and in writing to
my father and the secretaries, told them that I would take a few days to
pray about the matter before deciding any course of action. I mentioned
to my father that I had had this offer from the Society, and told the
secretaries also of his proffered aid.

Subsequently, while waiting upon GOD in prayer for guidance, it became
clear to my mind that I could without difficulty decline both offers.
The secretaries of the Society would not know that I had cast myself
wholly on GOD for supplies, and my father would conclude that I had
acce