IT GALLERY

WHEREIN THE READER IS INTRODUCED TO SOME OF OUR FELLOW WORKERS

IN meeting the members of an infant and unsophisticated Church, it is
delightful to observe the directness of their spiritual characteristics,
unfettered by the artificiality which grows up with theological
phraseology and the adoption of sectarian conventionalities.

So strongly individualistic a band of men met us at Hwochow, that
Christian himself on his Heavenward journey encountered, I think, no
more varied a company, nor more striking, in the various ways in which
CHRIST had met them and called them to discipleship, and turned their
strongly-marked characteristics into the way of His service.

Evangelist, Fu by name, keen and even fierce in his determination to
compel men to hear the truth concerning the City of Destruction and the
burden of sin which rests upon them, would go from place to place with a
bundle of books, preaching and warning sinners "to flee from the wrath
to come." He asked no remuneration from the Church _or_ foreigner for
the time he gave, but realising that necessity was laid upon him, he
pointed men to the Saviour. His best work was done alone for he was
easily offended, but, true and straight, he ruled his house in the fear
of the Lord.

His conversion was characteristic of the man. Having business to
transact in the small city of Great Peace, he found that large crowds
had gathered to listen to a man proclaiming strange doctrines. Every one
knew why Pastor Hsi, for it was he, had come that day to the city. A
family had professed their willingness to destroy idols, and asked him
to be present on the occasion. When the Pastor arrived, however, the man
had changed his mind, and fear of consequences had proved too much for
him. Nothing could hinder the Pastor from preaching the Good News, and
he made much of this opportunity. When he had finished speaking, Mr. Fu
went to him and asked him what was this new doctrine, and Mr. Hsi told
him the story of the Garden of Eden, and the Fall of man.

"In Adam all have sinned, and in Christ all can be forgiven." It was a
strange story, and yet as Fu listened he felt it was true, and as he
took the long, lonely walk over the mountains to his home, he meditated
much upon it. He had not as yet seen the wicket-gate, but he had seen
the direction in which it lay, and a subconscious desire was in his
heart to know more.

Home affairs claimed his attention, and he had no time to