e to numerous
Mongols. At the time I was immensely chagrined that I could not get
a proper teacher, but now, after the lapse of only a few months, I
can see good reason for thanking God for leading me by that way.
This should teach me to trust God more than I do when things seem
to thwart my purpose.

'Again, I was under a great disappointment about the delay that
occurred in the sending of my passport from Peking. In consequence
of its not coming I was unable to go to Urga with Lobsung and
Sherrub in February. I felt it much at the time, but some months
after (in June) I learned that these men with whom I wanted to go
suffered excessively on the road; so much so that, had I gone with
them, I might have got my feet frozen and died with the cold. Here
again I have to praise God for not giving me my own way.

"Thy way, not mine, O Lord;
However dark it be."

'Then, again, I had long desired to visit the scene of the former
Siberian Mission, and through the mercy of Providence I was
permitted to do this. My journey back through the desert also was
marked by mercies. Truly I may stand and say,

"When all Thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view, I'm lost
In wonder, love, and praise."'

After his wanderings even Kalgan was a haven of rest, and he had secured
there a base of operations. 'Now,' he writes, 'that I have got my study
window pasted up, and a nice little stove set going, it seems so
comfortable that it would be snug to stay where I am. But comfort is not
the missionary's rule. My object in going into Mongolia at this time is
to have an opportunity of reviewing and extending my knowledge of the
colloquial, which has become a little rusty consequent upon its disuse
to a great extent while here, trying to get up the written.'

All who are even superficially acquainted with Chinese matters know how
difficult it is to acquire the colloquial, and still more the written
language. Mongolian is not nearly so difficult, but it presents a task
needing vigour of intellect and strength of will. Both of these Gilmour
possessed in a measure far above the average.

'In the written,' he states on October 7, 1871, 'I am still far from at
home. Most of the Bible I can re