or a
better life, which, without God's help, can never be done, we are
looking forward to greatly improved opportunities. In India, as has
already been noted, many persons belonging to the criminal tribes are
already under our care, and, wherever we have the opportunity to prove
what the power of God can do in such hearts, there can be no doubt of
the ultimate result.

Upon the question of temperance, there is happily a widespread awakening
amongst the nations. So convinced are all Governments and peoples that
drinking and crime are closely connected, that much has already been
done, with good effect, to lessen the sale of intoxicants in many lands,
and more is being promised. Anxious as we are to see the drink-traffic
abolished everywhere, it has never appeared to us to be desirable to
join in agitations of a political kind on the subject. And the wisdom of
this attitude has been shown, on both sides of the Atlantic, by the
manner in which this question has been used to embitter party strife.
But it was a puzzle at first to know by which course to steer. When a
Licensing Bill was before the English House of Commons, The General
wrote:--

"The Licensing Bill has given me much anxiety, mainly because I see
so imperfectly what we ought to do. However, we shall do what seems
the best to be done--with what success has to be seen. I am
heartily sick of politics and parties, and that, mainly, because
they seem to me so insincere.

"What an unsatisfactory thing is life, apart from the real work we
do for God and the Salvation of souls! I want more faith, more
conquering faith. I must have it.

"I have got work to-day to do that cannot be done without Divine
wisdom. I have asked for it. I am asking for it while I write, and,
surely, it will be given; and yet it seems as though the Spirit
whispers in my ear, 'You will not believe you have it when it is
imparted.' But I will. Anyhow, I will make a desperate effort to
believe that the Spirit of the living God guides my judgment,
however I may feel, or whatever the outcome may be. Pray for me. I
cling to life and the work I love so well."

Remarkably enough, the German police, who, more than any other,
suspected and watched and restricted us at first, have become the first
convinced of the value of our operations, and those in the city of
Cologne have been the very first heartily to arrange for ou