ich I brought
from California; the name--sulphate of quinine. So she ask me to take
that; but I say: I never have been this way before, and never use that
medicine for this kind of sickness. But she ask me to try; so I take a
very little with a little water. Not more than three minutes my whole
body stop shaking, and I felt a great relief. I thank God for his help,
and soon I got all well.
Another Chinese preacher came from Canton to my district to take the
dead preacher's place; also, to live in his house. Next day, he and his
wife and boy all taken very sick. They grow worse and worse, every day
appointed to death. I felt very much dismayed because many people say,
"The Death Spirit make them very sick because they will not worship
him." But I pray to God to make him well. I say:--"Oh Lord, if you let
this family die also, all the people in this place will not like to hear
thy Gospel, and I also may be tempted by the superstition. I ask thee,
oh God, let thy mercy be upon them and not let this family going to die;
so let all this people of darkness see thy power, and thy glorious light
appear to their sight." I believe that God answered this prayer, for
they grew better and better every day, though they were so sick they
expected to die.
I will tell you of another trial which I encountered. I live inside the
wall, and all the people inside are divided into six societies. I belong
to No. 4. Once in three years we have what we call _festival_. So a man
who had charge asked me to sign my name to give twenty-five cents to buy
some pork and other things for offerings to the idols. The temples have
some property, but they use the temple money for other expenses. I
refuse to subscribe. So he advised me and said: "While you are in the
foreign country, imitate foreign customs, but now you are in China, you
have to obey Chinese customs." They try to compel me to give. I stand up
and say: "If these six societies could not have this festival to the
idols because I refuse, do the people depend on me? If so, then all the
people are without hope, and may despair of the blessing of the idols.
Is that what you believe? Because you worship the idols you give
offerings to them, and expect blessing from them. I do not worship the
idol, and he would not give me the blessing. I do not wish for the
idol's blessing. It is not because I am stingy that I will not give to
the offering of the idol, but because it is against the true God in
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