d the next
morning, being Sunday, he brought his son to the services. From that
day he never sent him to work again on the Sunday. To those who knew
that Mr. Lue had never wasted an hour before, or let his work stop for
any pleasure of his own, it was a real miracle that he should now be
willing to allow his whole household rest on Sunday. What had happened
to the man? What power was there in that strange religion that could
make him forgo all the money a weekly day of rest meant to him and his
family? What was it that had given the timid and reserved man courage
to speak out freely about the new life that had opened up before him,
and had made him strong to stand against all the ridicule that was
heaped upon him in many of the houses where he worked? A God who could
bring about such a change was a God indeed.

From the very beginning, Mr. Lue showed unusual understanding about
spiritual things. Was it not because he believed God and took Him
simply at His word? He never attempted to bring in his own wisdom,
never leaned to his own understanding. Very often, when asked
questions about spiritual matters, his answers would cause astonishment
and surprise. The Spirit of God was taking of the things of Christ,
and showing them unto him, and day by day his faith grew stronger and
his trust in the Lord firmer.

CHAPTER XI

THE MESSENGERS OF PEACE

When first Mr. Lue began to attend the services his wife did not like
it. She exhorted him to continue in the old way, living a quiet and
respectable life lest he should be involved in difficulties and trouble
because of his friendship with the foreigners. But when she saw that
his mind was made up, she left him alone.

The writer's first acquaintance with Mrs. Lue dates back to the spring
of 1902, when the out-station at Kucheng was opened. The house that
was rented adjoined that belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Lue, and when the
writer, in company with a Christian woman who was to fill the office of
chapel-keeper, arrived in Kucheng late one evening, Mr. and Mrs. Lue
were there to receive us. The enquirers had had the house cleaned up
and prepared for our coming, and the key to the house had been given to
Mr. Lue. His wife's mind was rather in a state of confusion. She tried
to persuade herself that the coming of this strange religion, which
seemed to take a wonderful hold on the minds of people, could be
nothing to her, as her way was the only right one. But