dull and wet. We felt persuaded that Satan would not allow
us to assail his kingdom, as we were attempting to do, without raising
serious opposition; but we were also fully assured that it was the will
of GOD that we should preach CHRIST in this city, and distribute the
Word of Truth among its people. We were sorry that we had but few books
left for such an important place: the result, however, proved that this
also was providential.

Our native teachers did their best to persuade us not to go into the
city; but we determined that, by GOD'S help, nothing should hinder us.
We directed them, however, to remain in one of the boats; and if we did
not return, to learn whatever they could respecting our fate, and make
all possible haste to Shanghai with the information. We also arranged
that the other boat should wait for us, even if we could not get back
that night, so that we might not be detained for want of a boat in case
of returning later. We then put our books into two bags, and with a
servant who always accompanied us on these occasions, set off for the
city, distant about seven miles. Walking was out of the question, from
the state of the roads, so we availed ourselves of wheel-barrows, the
only conveyance to be had in these parts. A wheel-barrow is cheaper than
a sedan, only requiring one coolie; but is by no means an agreeable
conveyance on rough, dirty roads.

We had not gone far before the servant requested permission to go back,
as he was thoroughly frightened by reports concerning the native
soldiery. Of course we at once consented, not wishing to involve another
in trouble, and determined to carry the books ourselves, and look for
physical as well as spiritual strength to Him who had promised to supply
all our need.

At this point a respectable man came up, and earnestly warned us against
proceeding, saying that if we did we should find to our sorrow what the
T'ung-chau militia were like. We thanked him for his kindly counsel, but
could not act upon it, as our hearts were fixed, whether it were to
bonds, imprisonment, and death, or whether to distribute our Scriptures
and tracts in safety, and return unhurt, we knew not; but we were
determined, by the grace of GOD, not to leave T'ung-chau any longer
without the Gospel, nor its teeming thousands to die in uncared-for
ignorance of the Way of life.

After this my wheel-barrow man would proceed no farther, and I had to
seek another, who was fortunately not dif