.

* * * * *

What can I say of Mr. Lan? One is tempted to question, "How shall the
superficial enter into the Kingdom of God?"

One of the aristocratic families, no longer enjoying the prosperity of
former days, yet endeavouring to impress upon all its grandeur whilst
inevitably sinking, gave us Mr. Lan.

Contact with Pastor Hsi had been the turning-point in his life, and from
the early days he gave himself assiduously to the study of the Bible.
Few have more accurate knowledge of the Scripture than he, his
addresses are well and carefully prepared, and he has been the means
under God of leading many men to a knowledge of the Saviour. His kind
disposition and good-nature have given him many friends, but love of
money and appearances have crippled his usefulness. Any Christian work
he now does is independent of the missionaries, and he will sometimes be
invited to the official's residence to help some one to leave the opium
habit, he and his father before him having been doctors of no small
repute. He is constantly in debt, and will often remain away from his
home during the Chinese New Year when debts are settled, but when he
does return, he enters the house with such perfect manners, and is
attired in such gorgeous silk, that few would venture to mention
anything so unpleasant as the settlement of a debt.

Easily led, he loves the glories of this present world and is fearful
lest, by too great zeal, the rulers of Vanity Fair may regard him as a
stranger and outcast. And yet, in his high moments, he finds himself
longing for the things that abide, and his affections and desires are
for the time being upon these, but as a morning cloud they pass. In
other lands, where the line of demarcation is less clear, he might be
considered a good Churchman, but neutral tints are rare here, and a man
must clearly show on which side he stands or he will get the benefit of
neither.

He is ever faithfully served by his dependant and sycophant, Mr. Diao,
who is a weak, physically decadent man who can neither offend by word
nor deed the man from whom he has had so much. His manner is too
servile to allow one to place much confidence in him, but he is a
believer, and proves by many actions that he is truly following Christ.
If only he could get free from the net of the rich man, and yet--what
Church has not such members!

* * * * *

Mr. Tu, weak, good, always trustin