Himself. I wanted His blessing more than I wanted Him. That is not
right. Lately, too, I have become calm. Before I worked, oh so hard
and so much, and asked God to bless my work. Now I try to pray more
and get more blessing, and then work enough to let the blessing
find its way through me to men. And this is the better way. It is
the right way. And I work a lot even now. Perhaps as much as
before; but I don't worry at the things I cannot overtake. I feel,
too, more than I did, that God is guiding me. Oh! sometimes the
peace of God flows over me like a river. Then it is so blessed,
heaven is real. So is God: so is Jesus. Our lot is a great one.

'Try not to fly around so much: take more time with God. Be more in
private prayer with Him, and see if He will not give you a greater
spiritual blessing for your people. After all, the great want, as I
gather from your letters, is the spiritual blessing on the people.
Ask it, man, and you'll get it. God's promises are sure. I am
trying to combine the China Inland Mission, the Salvation Army, and
the L.M.S. I have a great district, and a hard one, all to myself.
There is said to be a young doctor on his way out to me. I am
writing by this mail for three young laymen. Non-smoking and
teetotalism are conditions of Church membership. I have seen no
foreigner since January 25, and am not likely to see one till
December 5. My mails take an enormous time to reach me, and two
sent in June and July from Peking (eight days off) have never come
to hand at all. I am baffled, battered and bruised in soul in many
ways, but, thank God, holding on and believing that He is going to
bless me.

'Eh, man, never talk of not going back. Go back, though you can
only do half work; go back, and work less and pray more. That is
what you need. I have been a vegetarian for over a year. I find
fasting helpful to prayer. Two books by Andrew Murray, Wellington,
Cape Town--_Abide in Christ, With Christ in the School of
Prayer_--have done me much good. May blessings be on your dear wife
and children! Yours, hoping to have a good long holiday with you in
heaven,

'JAMES GILMOUR.'

Some years earlier in his career he had written a letter of brotherly
remonstrance to one who, in a moment of depres