they have taken of me is to
spend one paltry day in my home, whereas they were three whole days in
the village of Peace and Harmony, where there are only heathen and not a
Christian to receive them." "I," complained another, "have been unable
to attend Church service for two weeks, and neither of them has been
near, as yet, to inquire the cause of my absence."

"Well," chimed in an old gentleman, who by reason of his seniority in
the Church carried a good deal of weight, "had our beloved teacher of
former days been here, our homes would have been visited, and I will
take the first opportunity of telling them my mind on the subject."

The close of the following Sunday morning service found us sad enough.
The congregation numbered thirty, and while some were loyally ready to
help, there was a section of malcontents who since the early days had
been a source of difficulty to Pastor Hsi and his friends, and from
whom, in the light of past knowledge, Miss French knew that trouble
would come.

The first indication of the brewing storm was the entrance to our
guest-room of an aged Church member who, by reason of his rank as
military mandarin, was one of the glories of the Hwochow Church.
Vigorous and stalwart, his seventy years sat lightly on him, his bearing
and the play of his facial muscles affording proof of the brilliancy
with which he had passed the necessary examinations for the obtaining of
his degree. Unlike the civil mandarin, whose examinations require such
arduous study of classical writings, the military honour was conferred
as a reward for physical prowess. The competitor was required to exhibit
great skill in archery, shooting at the target from the back of a
galloping horse, and to lift stones of immense weight; meanwhile
throwing the body into such postures as, coupled with a terrifying
expression of the countenance and accompanied by blood-curdling yells,
would strike such terror into the heart of the opponent that he would
flee without striking a blow.

After such training he had little to fear, and felt, no doubt, that a
few moments' interview would be sufficient to reduce two young women to
reason, and place matters on a more satisfactory basis.

When the old gentleman entered, we invited him to the seat of honour,
ourselves taking chairs at the lower side of the table. He asked for an
explanation. Had he been informed correctly that we had been appointed
to carry on the work in Hwochow? "Yes," we re