hen we were traveling from Wuanhsien to Pengcheng, we
reached the town of Hotsun late in the afternoon, expecting to stay over
night. But on our arrival we found that the Christian whom we had sent
to arrange for our accommodation had failed to get us a place, every one
absolutely refusing to take us in. While the animals were feeding, and
we were trying to eat our dinner of Chinese dough-strings in the midst
of a curious crowd, my husband told the Christian to go out again and
look for a place while we prayed.

We dared not close our eyes, lest the superstitious heathen crowd
crushing against us on all sides would take fright, thinking we were
mesmerizing them. So we just lifted up our hearts silently to our
Father; and before many minutes had passed, indeed before we had
finished our meal, the Christian returned greatly rejoiced, saying: "A
wealthy man has offered you a fine empty place which has just been
fixed over. And you can have it as long as you like, free of rent."

For three days we preached in that place--morning, noon, and night--to
great crowds; and a work was begun which has gone on ever since.

* * * * *

There were times when my faith was severely tested, and I fear too often
I did not stand the test; but oh, how patient God is with us in our
human weakness. "Like as a father pitieth, . . . so the Lord pitieth."
The Chinese have often said to me, "Your children seem made for this
life." But I know it was God's great goodness. He knew how hard the life
was, and how difficult it would have been for me to continue that work
had the children been peevish or hard to manage. Time and time again we
had to get the little ones up before daybreak to start on a cart
journey, but I do not remember that they ever even cried. They would
just wake up enough to get dressed and ask sleepily, "Are we going
again, Mama?" and then go off to sleep as soon as we were settled in our
carts.

* * * * *

On one occasion, arriving at a certain town, we found the place in which
we were to stay unfit for the children. It was simply horrible. On
either side of us, almost reaching to our door, were two great
pigstys--Chinese pigstys! In front of the door were eight or ten great
vessels, filled with fermenting stuff which had been there all summer,
and which added to the other varied and oppressive odors. I greatly
feared for the children, and wanted to leave at once,