the glory of
GOD! He told me that for forty years he had never darkened the door of
church or chapel, and that then--forty years ago--he had only entered a
place of worship to be married, and could not be persuaded to go inside
when his wife was buried. Now, thank GOD, his sin-stained soul, I had
every reason to believe, was washed, was sanctified, was justified, in
the Name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and in the SPIRIT of our GOD.
Oftentimes, when in my early work in China circumstances rendered me
almost hopeless of success, I have thought of this man's conversion, and
have been encouraged to persevere in speaking the Word, whether men
would hear or whether they would forbear.

The now happy sufferer lived for some time after this change, and was
never tired of bearing testimony to the grace of GOD. Though his
condition was most distressing, the alteration in his character and
behaviour made the previously painful duty of attending him one of real
pleasure. I have often thought since, in connection with this case and
the work of GOD generally, of the words, "He that goeth forth _weeping_,
bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing
his sheaves with him." Perhaps if there were more of that intense
distress for souls that leads to tears, we should more frequently see
the results we desire. Sometimes it may be that while we are complaining
of the hardness of the hearts of those we are seeking to benefit, the
hardness of our own hearts, and our own feeble apprehension of the
solemn reality of eternal things, may be the true cause of our want of
success.

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CHAPTER VIII

VOYAGE TO CHINA

SOON after this the time so long looked forward to arrived--the time
that I was to leave England for China. After being set apart with many
prayers for the ministry of GOD's Word among the heathen Chinese I left
London for Liverpool; and on the 19th of September 1853 a little service
was held in the stern cabin of the _Dumfries_, which had been secured
for me by the Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society, under
whose auspices I was going to China.

My beloved, now sainted, mother had come to see me off from Liverpool.
Never shall I forget that day, nor how she went with me into the little
cabin that was to be my home for nearly six long months. With a mother's
loving hand she smoothed the little bed. She sat by my side, and joined
me in the last hymn that we sh