same kind helper.

Having obtained the little money left in Shanghai, I again set out for
Ningpo, to seek assistance from Dr. Parker in replacing the medicines I
had previously lost by fire. This being satisfactorily accomplished, I
returned once more to Shanghai, _en route_ for Swatow, hoping soon to
rejoin my much-loved friend, Mr. Burns, in the work in that important
centre. GOD had willed it otherwise, however; and the delay caused by
the robbery was just sufficient to prevent me from starting for the
South as I had intended.

Over the political horizon storm-clouds had long been gathering,
precursors of coming war; and early in October of this year (1856) the
affair of the Lorcha _Arrow_ at Canton led to the definite commencement
of hostilities. Very soon China was deeply involved in a second
prolonged struggle with foreign powers; and missionary operations, in
the South at any rate, had to be largely suspended. Tidings of these
events, together with letters from Mr. Burns, arrived just in time to
meet me in Shanghai as I was leaving for Swatow; and thus hindered, I
could not but realise the hand of GOD in closing the door I had so much
desired to enter.

While in Ningpo, I had made the acquaintance of Mr. John Jones, who,
with Dr. Parker, represented the Chinese Evangelisation Society in that
city. Hindered from returning to Swatow, I now decided to join these
brethren in the Ningpo work, and set out at once upon the journey. On
the afternoon of the second day, when already about thirty miles distant
from Shanghai, Mr. Jones and I drew near the large and important city of
Sung-kiang, and I spoke of going ashore to preach the Gospel to the
thronging multitudes that lined the banks and crowded the approaches to
the city gates.

Among the passengers on board the boat was one intelligent man, who in
the course of his travels had been a good deal abroad, and had even
visited England, where he went by the name of Peter. As might be
expected, he had heard something of the Gospel, but had never
experienced its saving power. On the previous evening I had drawn him
into earnest converse about his soul's salvation. The man listened with
attention, and was even moved to tears, but still no definite result was
apparent. I was pleased, therefore, when he asked to be allowed to
accompany me, and to hear me preach.

I went into the cabin of the boat to prepare tracts and books for
distribution on landing with my Chinese fr