_wanted_ to be a Christian;
but by healing their diseases I have had opportunity to tell many
of Jesus, the Great Physician.'

CHAPTER V

MARRIAGE

During the year 1873 James Gilmour devoted much thought to the natural
and all-important question of marriage. Uncommon as he was, in so many
ways, it was, perhaps, to be expected that in this great undertaking he
would depart from ordinary methods. The Rev. S. E. Meech had married, in
1872, Miss Prankard, of London. After the return of Mr. Edkins to
England, in May 1873, Mr. Gilmour went to board with Mr. and Mrs. Meech.
There he saw the portrait of Mrs. Meech's sister, and often heard her
referred to in conversation. Towards the close of 1873 he took Mrs.
Meech into his confidence, and asked permission to enter into
correspondence with her sister. The following most characteristic
letters show the course of subsequent events:--

'Peking, January 14, 1874.

'My dear Parents,--I have written and proposed to a girl in
England. It is true I have never seen her and I know very little
about her; but what I do know is good. She is the sister of Mrs.
Meech, and is with her mother in London. Her mother supports
herself and daughter by keeping a school. One of the hindrances
will be perhaps that the mother will not be willing to part with
her daughter, as she is, no doubt, the life of the school. I don't
know, so I have written and made the offer, and leave them to
decide. If she cannot come, then there is no harm done. If she can
arrange to come, then my hope is fulfilled. If the young lady says
"Yes," she or her friends will no doubt write you, as I have asked
them to do.... You may think I am rash in writing to a girl I have
never seen. If you say so, I may just say that I have something of
the same feeling; but what am I to do? In addition I am very
easy-minded over it all, because I have exercised the best of my
thoughts on the subject, and put the whole matter into the hands of
God, asking Him, if it be best to bring her, if it be not best to
keep her away, and He can manage the whole thing well.'

By some mischance this letter was delayed, and Mr. Gilmour's relatives
were startled, one March day in 1874, by receiving from an entirely
unknown lady in London a letter, containing the unlooked-for statement:
'Your son, Mr.