ey, and initial expenses. I wrote
a little pamphlet, calling it "Occasional Paper, No. I." (intending in
successive numbers to give to donors and friends accounts of the work
wrought through us in China), and in that paper stated the anticipated
needs for floating the enterprise. I expected that GOD would incline the
hearts of some of the readers to send contributions: I had determined
never to use personal solicitation, or to make collections, or to issue
collecting-books. Missionary-boxes were thought unobjectionable, and we
had a few prepared for those who might ask for them, and have continued
to use them ever since.

It was February 6th, 1866, when I sent my manuscript of "Occasional
Paper, No. I.," with a design for the cover, to the printer. From delays
in engraving and printing, it was March 12th when the bales of pamphlets
were delivered at my house. Now on February 6th a daily prayer-meeting,
from 12 to 1 o'clock, had been commenced, to ask for the needed funds.
And that we had not asked in vain, the following extract from
"Occasional Paper, No. II." will show:--

"The receipts for 1864 were L51:14s.; for 1865, from January to June,
L221:12:6, besides two free passages; from June to December, L923:12:8.
Hindrances having occurred, the MS. of the "Occasional Paper, No. I."
was not completed till February 6th, 1866. Up to this time we had
received (from December 30th) L170:8:3.

"We felt much encouraged by the receipt of so much money in little more
than a month, as it was entirely unsolicited by us--save from GOD. But
it was also evident that we must ask the LORD to do yet greater things
for us, or it would be impossible for a party of from ten to sixteen to
leave in the middle of May. _Daily united prayer was therefore offered
to_ GOD for the funds needful for the outfits and passages of as many as
He would have to go out in May.

"Owing to the delays mentioned above in the printing of the 'Occasional
Paper,' it was not ready for the publisher until March 12th. On this day
I again examined my mission cash-book, and the comparison of the result
of the two similar periods of one month and six days each, one before
and one after special prayer for L1500 to L2000, was very striking:--

"Receipts from December 30th to February 6th, L170 8 3
" Feb. 6th to Mar. 12th L1774 5 11
"Funds advised, since received 200 0 0
--------- L19