eds, they will not lose the reward laid up for them in the Father's
Home.

CHAPTER XXI

THE SHADOW DEEPENS

So far reference has only been made to the trials connected with the
illness and death of two in the family circle. But another storm was
already pending, and a great dark cloud was yet to break over the heads
of these two devoted servants of God. Did the Lord not have compassion
on them, or had He ceased to care? Why did they not prosper in
everything as before? Had the Lord changed in His love for them, or
had He forgotten to be gracious? They did not think so, neither did
they murmur. They were ready to take what He sent, and could say with
Job, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." They knew they
could trust Him; and their faith was kept firm and bright, and the
presence of their Heavenly Guide grew more precious as He led them
through the valley of shadows.

Mr. Lue had not been strong for years, and every now and again,
specially during the winter and spring, he had a bad cough, with some
slight haemorrhage. As he got better as soon as the warm weather set
in, they had not considered the attacks dangerous, and Mr. Lue would
work as hard as ever, often doing night work by the dim light from the
Chinese oil-lamp. On Saturday they would all come to the prayer
meeting, and then go back home and work till long after their regular
bedtime, so that they might be free for the Sunday. Mr. Lue was a very
hard worker, and never spared himself.

In the beginning of 1905 he took a more severe cold than before; his
cough became very troublesome, and he was constantly spitting blood.
He believed everything was owing to the exceptionally cold winter we
were experiencing, and hoped to be better as soon as the spring set in.
But before spring came, he gave every evidence of serious consumption.
Knowing that he had been ailing for years, it was hoped that he might
possibly improve again, and perhaps live on for some time. He was
therefore invited to come to the city Mission Station for a while, so
that he might get proper medicine and better nourishment than he could
have in his own home. As soon as his strength allowed him to take the
journey, he came and stayed with us for a month. During that time all
was done that love could do. At the end of the month he felt better
and seemed stronger, but soon after his return home he began to get
worse again, and his cough grew more violent. Soon it w