ave for a few days, as they
could not begin work somewhere else for one day. Mr. and Mrs. Lue were
in great need of their house; and yet what were they to do, for they
felt they could not let the men work for them on the day of rest? The
whole day they were ill at ease, but towards evening Mrs. Lue said to
her husband, "I know what we will do. We will just give them their
food and their wages the same as any other day, but tell them they need
not work. And then those who are willing can come with us to the
meetings."

"But what about the money for all these men?"

"The Lord is able to give that back to us in some other way," she said,
"and, at any rate, we shall have the assurance that we have done our
best to let them have a chance of hearing the Gospel." So it was all
settled, and their hearts were at rest.

The writer arrived at Kucheng that Saturday evening, and was surprised
to see some of the workmen in the meeting, listening very attentively.
The following day, Sunday, three of them came again, but others went to
some of the shops for a talk and a smoke.

"But why are you not working to-day? How can you play about like
this?" thus some of the shopkeepers addressed them.

"We were working at Mr. Lue's house, but he told us not to do any work
to-day."

"But how can you afford to lose a day's money like that?"

"We do not lose anything. Mr. and Mrs. Lue give us our board and wages,
just as if we were working for them the whole day."

"Well, that is strange. They used to be careful over their money, and
they seem to be so even now."

"That is quite true, but they say they will not sin against their God
in making us work for them on Sunday."

"That doctrine about Jesus is really good: surely there must be
something in it."

Thus the people reasoned, and it need hardly be said that Mr. and Mrs.
Lue, through their steady and careful walk with God, gained a respect
among the people which only few in their position could attain. It was
to them that the people came in sickness and sorrow, counting upon
their help and prayers. It was from them they sought advice when in
perplexity and uncertainty. And it was in their home the Christians
often gathered for a helpful talk before or after the meetings.

CHAPTER XVI

PERSECUTION AND TRIAL

Things did not always go smoothly for Mr. and Mrs. Lue, and the narrow
way was not always easy to tread. As followers of Christ they had to
share in His suf