of
persecutions and massacres, the Church trembled and wondered how she
would endure. Finally it became known that Boxers were marching on the
village. Mr. Wang was recognised as leader of the local Christians, and
to him they would certainly come. He called his little boy and girl to
kneel with him in the cave, and committed the matter to God. At sunset,
a sound of rushing wind was heard and a violent thunderstorm burst on
the district. Hail, wind, and rain were followed by a terrific
cloud-burst which swept man and beast away in its irresistible violence.
The narrow mountain roads were completely carried away by the course
of the waters, and the Boxers never came.

[Illustration: PASTOR WANG.

_To face page 136._]

It was a great spiritual experience for Mr. Wang, to whom God spake not
in the thunder nor in the storm, but in a still small voice which
asserted His boundless claim on the life preserved from danger. From
that time he was conscious of a new strength and power, which resulted
in his shortly giving up his trade of metal-worker to take charge of the
Hwochow Men's Opium Refuge. That position he still holds, and thanks to
him the good name and repute of this institution is widespread. All his
noblest gifts find their full development in the work which makes hourly
claims on patience, forbearance, devotion, longsuffering, meekness, and
all those qualities which are bound up in the one characteristic of
love. From amongst the men in his charge a steady stream return home to
destroy idols and subsequently request baptism. When the question is
asked: "How came you to believe?" the answer will be: "I owe it to
Pastor Wang, who taught me about Christ and taught me to pray." His
methods are not those of the evangelist who gathers in the crowds, but
one by one he wins them to the Lord. In one particular only did I hear
him censured by a Christian, and that was on the occasion of his
ordination to the pastorate. A Church member protested that a stronger
man than Wang Bing-guin was needed for the work. "See my case," he said.
"When, as you know, I was recently the subject of persecution, I came to
Elder Wang for assistance. He listened to my story and urged me to pray
and have patience. This I did, but matters only got worse, and I
returned to insist on his taking action on my behalf. Would you believe
that he spoke of nothing more practical than prayer and patience again?
On the third occasion, when I had very nearl