To my great surprise I heard the rain pouring down in
torrents, the weather having previously been particularly fine. On
looking out, we found ourselves so near our former stopping-place, that,
had nothing happened to prevent it, we should not have felt justified in
neglecting to go into the town to preach as usual; but the rain was so
heavy all day that no one could leave the boats. Thus we enjoyed a
delightful day of rest, such as we had not had for some time; and the
weather prevented much inquiry being made for us. Had the day been fine
we should most likely have been discovered, even if we had not left the
boats. As it was, we were allowed to think in peace, with wonder and
gratitude, of the gracious dealings of our GOD, who had thus led us
apart into "a desert place" to rest awhile.

_Monday, January 14th._

A cloudless morning. One of the native assistants went before daybreak
to get some clothes which had been given out for washing. He came back
with the tidings that, notwithstanding the drenching rain of yesterday,
men had been seeking us in all directions. We had been kept, however, in
peace and safety "under the shadow of the Almighty."

The boatmen were now so thoroughly alarmed that they would stay no
longer, and moved off at dawn. I was confined to my quarters by
lameness, and had no alternative but to go with them. In the afternoon
we reached Ping-wang, on the way to Shanghai.

"Ill that GOD blesses is our good,
And unblest good is ill;
And all is right that seems most wrong,
If it be His sweet will."

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XII

CALLED TO SWATOW

HAVING to leave the neighbourhood of Black Town thus unexpectedly was a
real disappointment to us, as we had hoped to spend some time
evangelising in that district. We were to prove, however, that no
unforeseen mischance had happened, but that these circumstances which
seemed so trying were necessary links in the chain of a divinely ordered
providence, guiding to other and wider spheres.

GOD does not permit persecution to arise without sufficient reason. . . .
He was leading us by a way that we knew not; but it was none the less
His way.

"O LORD, how happy should we be
If we would cast our care on Thee,
If we from self would rest;
And feel at heart that One above,