for help. In her fright she forgot she
was in a public place and lost sight of her surroundings. She only
realized that the test had come; they meant to take away the little she
possessed, and so she cried simply and earnestly, but with intense
fervour, that the Lord would undertake for her and show that He was
mighty to deliver.

When the collectors saw her on her knees praying they got frightened,
and said, "She is going to ask Heaven and her God to punish us. Let us
go!" But some of them said they were not going to be fooled by an old
woman and her God, so snatched the cooking-pan from the stove and went
hastily out. When she had finished praying, Mrs. Hsiao found them all
gone, but she was minus her cooking-pan. She was glad to have got off
so easily, but even that one article was necessary to her. How could
she do without it? She had no money to buy another. After a few
moments' perplexity she made her way to Mrs. Lue's house, and told her
story, and together they prayed that the missing article might be
returned to her.

We heard about her difficulty, and one of the missionaries suggested
that as the woman was so very poor we might give her a new cooking-pan.
But some of us answered, "No, let her fight her own battle. It will be
better for her, as it will strengthen her faith. Even if she does not
get the article back (which we believe she will), it will only show her
that we have to be willing to suffer for His sake." So we remained
silent, that is, silent before men, but not before God. We prayed
earnestly that the Lord, who understood how much this small test meant
to the poor woman, still a babe in Christ, would restore unto her what
she had lost, if it were for her good. And God did undertake for her.
Day by day Mrs. Lue prayed with her, and expected the Lord to work for
them. And He did not let them ask in vain. In His love He pitied His
children, and in His power He touched the hearts of those who had made
Mrs. Hsiao suffer, and soon the lost cooking-pan was restored, and the
hearts of the two women overflowed in praise to God for His goodness
and care.

CHAPTER XVIII

FRUIT MORE ABUNDANT

In a former chapter Mrs. Lue's brother was mentioned. Although he came
off and on to the meetings, and gave up idol worship, he did not take
his stand for Christ for a long time. Mr. Lue had tried earnestly to
lead him into the way of salvation; and after Mrs. Lue had yielded to
the Lord, s