e Refuges, were gathered into his home (which he
called the Middle Eden) and trained for the work.

This community life for so large a number was only made possible by Mrs.
Hsi's enthusiastic devotion. The extension of the opium refuge work was
rapid and widespread, and necessitated frequent absences from home on
the part of Mr. Hsi, during which time a heavy burden fell upon his
wife.

Houses were rented in many towns and villages, and patients entering the
"heavenly called refuges"[1] were numerous.

The burden of one city, however, lay heavily upon the heart of Mr. Hsi,
and he and his household constantly prayed together that Hwochow might
be opened to the sound of the Gospel; but funds which seemed essential
for the initial expenses of the venture were not forthcoming. His
itinerant journeys frequently took him through this important centre,
which was situated sixty miles north of his home.

Day after day prayer was made, and Mrs. Hsi often heard her husband in
the night watches, as he knelt alone in the court, plead with God that
nothing might hinder what he strongly believed to be the Divine Purpose.

One Sunday night she was wakened by the familiar sound. She knew that
her husband, like herself, had gone to bed tired out by a long day of
preaching, during which large numbers had joined their household from
more or less distant villages. According to their custom, they had spent
the day fasting; it was Pastor Hsi's habit to refer to the Scriptures
direct for guidance on matters of daily conduct, and in the early days
of his faith he feared to sin against the law of God by allowing fires
to be lighted and meals to be prepared on Sunday. In accordance with his
habit, he had arisen soon after midnight to give himself to prayer, and
her ear caught the murmured sentences, "I beseech Thee, O Lord, open a
way for Hwochow to hear the Gospel." As she listened, the sound of his
voice brought conviction to her own mind that she was to be the human
agency by which the Divine Will should now fulfil itself. In a flash,
the path of duty was clear.

At the back of her cave were large painted cupboards which contained the
whole of her worldly possessions: bundles of handsome silk, satin, and
embroidered garments, and a box holding the heavy jade and silver
ornaments, which had been her husband's marriage gift. Leaving her
_kang_[2] Mrs. Hsi unlocked the cupboards and spent the rest of that
night in sorting their contents. Al