ent though not less manifest answer to prayer was
vouchsafed early in the year 1859. My dear wife was brought very low by
illness, and at last all hope of recovery seemed gone. Every remedy
tried had proved unavailing; and Dr. Parker, who was in attendance, had
nothing more to suggest. Life was ebbing fast away. The only ground of
hope was that GOD might yet see fit to raise her up, in answer to
believing but submissive prayer.

The afternoon for the usual prayer meeting among the missionaries had
arrived, and I sent in a request for prayer, which was most warmly
responded to. Just at this time a remedy that had not yet been tried was
suggested to my mind, and I felt that I must hasten to consult Dr.
Parker as to the propriety of using it. It was a moment of anguish. The
hollow temples, sunken eyes, and pinched features denoted the near
approach of death; and it seemed more than questionable as to whether
life would hold out until my return. It was nearly two miles to Dr.
Parker's house, and every moment appeared long. On my way thither, while
wrestling mightily with GOD in prayer, the precious words were brought
with power to my soul, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will
deliver thee, and thou shall glorify Me." I was at once enabled to plead
them in faith, and the result was deep, deep, unspeakable peace and
joy. All consciousness of distance was gone. Dr. Parker cordially
approved of the use of the means suggested, but upon arriving at home I
saw at a glance that the desired change had taken place in the absence
of this or any other remedy. The pinched aspect of the countenance had
given place to the calmness of tranquil slumber, and not one
unfavourable symptom remained to retard recovery to health and strength.

Spared thus in answer to prayer the loss of my own loved one, it was
with added sympathy and sorrow that I felt for Dr. Parker, when, in the
autumn of the same year, his own wife was very suddenly removed. It
being necessary for the doctor to return at once with his motherless
children to Glasgow, temporary arrangements had to be made for the
conduct of the Mission Hospital in Ningpo, for which he alone had been
responsible. Under these circumstances he requested me to take up the
work, at least so far as the dispensary was concerned. After a few days'
waiting upon the LORD for guidance, I felt constrained to undertake not
only the dispensary work, but also that of the hospital; relying solely
upon