eople as to rent a little house
and settle down in their midst. This was a great joy and encouragement
to me; but before many weeks were over complaints were made by the local
authorities to the British Consul, who compelled me to retire; though
the French Consul had himself secured to the Romish missionaries a
property within three or four miles of the house I had to vacate. Sorely
tried and disappointed by this unexpected hindrance, I reluctantly
returned to Shanghai, little dreaming of the blessing that GOD had in
store for me there.

A few months previously the Rev. William Burns, of the English
Presbyterian Mission, had arrived in that port on his return journey
from home; and before proceeding to his former sphere of service in the
southern province of FU-KIEN, he had endeavoured, like myself, without
success, to visit the T'ai-p'ing rebels at Nan-king. Failing in this
attempt, he made his headquarters in Shanghai for a season, devoting
himself to the evangelisation of the surrounding populous regions. Thus
in the autumn of the year I was providentially led into association with
this beloved and honoured servant of GOD.

We journeyed together, evangelising cities and towns in southern
KIANG-SU and north CHEH-KIANG, living in our boats, and following the
course of the canals and rivers which here spread like a network over
the whole face of the rich and fertile country. Mr. Burns at that time
was wearing English dress; but saw that while I was the younger and in
every way less experienced, I had the quiet hearers, while he was
followed by the rude boys, and by the curious but careless; that I was
invited to the homes of the people, while he received an apology that
the crowd that would follow precluded his being invited. After some
weeks of observation he also adopted the native dress, and enjoyed the
increased facilities which it gave.

Those happy months were an unspeakable joy and privilege to me. His love
for the Word was delightful, and his holy, reverential life and constant
communings with GOD made fellowship with him satisfying to the deep
cravings of my heart. His accounts of revival work and of persecutions
in Canada, and Dublin, and in Southern China were most instructive, as
well as interesting; for with true spiritual insight he often pointed
out GOD's purposes in trial in a way that made all life assume quite a
new aspect and value. His views especially about evangelism as the great
work of the Chu