en permitted to do for GOD, I
owe an unspeakable debt of gratitude to my beloved and honoured parents,
who have passed away and entered into rest, but the influence of whose
lives will never pass away.

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

All thought of my becoming a missionary was abandoned for many years by
my dear parents on account of the feebleness of my health. When the
time came, however, GOD gave increased health, and my life has been
spared, and strength has been given for not a little toilsome service
both in the mission field and at home, while many stronger men and women
have succumbed.

I had many opportunities in early years of learning the value of prayer
and of the Word of GOD; for it was the delight of my dear parents to
point out that if there were any such Being as GOD, to trust Him, to
obey Him, and to be fully given up to His service, must of necessity be
the best and wisest course both for myself and others. But in spite of
these helpful examples and precepts my heart was unchanged. Often I had
tried to make myself a Christian; and failing of course in such efforts,
I began at last to think that for some reason or other I could not be
saved, and that the best I could do was to take my fill of this world,
as there was no hope for me beyond the grave.

While in this state of mind I came in contact with persons holding
sceptical and infidel views, and accepted their teaching, only too
thankful for some hope of escape from the doom which, if my parents were
right and the Bible true, awaited the impenitent. It may seem strange to
say it, but I have often felt thankful for the experience of this time
of scepticism. The inconsistencies of Christian people, who