king of
its timbers on the flood."--GEORGE MEREDITH.

CHAPTER III

A NEW VENTURE

IN WHICH IS RECORDED THE APPOINTMENT OF THE FIRST MISSIONARIES TO
HWOCHOW

THE first endeavour to bring the people of Hwochow within sound of the
Gospel proved in every way encouraging. Numbers of men entered the Opium
Refuge, and before long a nucleus of twenty were calling themselves
Christians. The effort was, however, sterile so far as women were
concerned, and Pastor Hsi knew the impossibility of establishing upon a
solid basis a work which left untouched those who so largely controlled
the home.

The power wielded by the woman in China is immense, for while she may be
despised and, in her young days, even ill-treated, her day of power
surely dawns, and woe betide the man who has to combat the determined
will of mother or wife.

The question of providing women workers for Hwochow became a pressing
one, and a visit from the Rev. Hudson Taylor was the occasion chosen by
Pastor Hsi to bring before him the urgency of this claim[3]. His
suggestion was that single women missionaries should be appointed who
could give their time unreservedly to the teaching of women, and
preaching. Mr. Taylor pointed out the difficulties and the
misunderstanding which would make their lot far from easy, but these
difficulties, Pastor and Mrs. Hsi felt, might be overcome, and willingly
promised to give all the help which lay within their power. In any case,
the claim of the women constituted a call to make a forward movement,
and Mr. Taylor promised to give the matter serious consideration. By the
end of that year, 1886, two Norwegian ladies had offered for the post.

Miss Jacobsen, an idealist, strong, capable, and critical, gave herself
whole-heartedly to the work for which she had come. Enthusiastic and
independent in thought and action, she soon acquired the spoken language
to a remarkable degree, and with a praiseworthy tenacity she studied the
classical works of the Chinese, and at the same time could vie with most
of the women in all branches of their domestic activities. Her
extraordinary ability is a byword to this day amongst the people who
knew her.

She was accompanied by Miss Reuter, a lady of education and refinement,
whose grace of manner and goodness of heart speedily endeared her to all
with whom she came in contact. Varied as were the gifts and
circumstances of the friends, they were one in desire and purpose. Th