this life is but the short prelude to an eternal state, the thought
that after death there shall break on my view a thousand truths
that now I long in vain to know--these thoughts and many others
make my present life happy, and in a manner careless as to what
should come. In time may I be able to do my part as I ought, and
may God have great mercy upon me!'

On June 22, 1870, the news of the Tientsin massacre reached Peking. A
Roman Catholic convent had been destroyed and thirteen French people
killed. Very great uncertainty prevailed as to whether this indicated a
further purpose of attacking all missions and all foreigners, and for a
while things looked very dark. It was a time in which the nerve and
courage and faith of men were severely tried, and splendidly did Gilmour
endure the test. While unable to escape wholly from the fears common to
all, his reply to the counsels of worldly prudence and selfish dread was
advance in his work. When others were wondering whether they might not
have to retreat, he, alone, in almost total ignorance of the language,
entirely unfamiliar with the country, went up to the great Mongolian
plain, and entered upon the service so close to his heart--personal
intercourse with and effort for the Mongols.

How trying a season this was his diary reveals. Under date of June 23,
1870, the day after the first tidings of the outbreak had been received,
he writes:--

'The Roman Catholic missionaries have suffered severely, and the
Protestant missionaries are not in a very safe condition. We are
living on the slope of a volcano that may put forth its slumbering
rage at any moment. For example, people ask why there is no rain,
and blame the foreigners for it; and should a famine ensue, we may
fare hard for it. Now is the time for trying what stuff a man's
religion is made of. We may be all dead men directly; are we afraid
to die? Our death might further the cause of Christ more than our
life could do. We must die some time or other; now that we have a
near view of its possibility, how can we look forward to it? God!
do Thou make my faith firm and bright, so that death may seem
small and not to be feared. Help me to trust Thee and Christ
implicitly, so that with calm mind I may work while Thou dost let
me live, and when Thou dost call me home, let me come gladly.'

The further entries in his Diary at thi