s wrong, because it would
make us cheap in the eyes of the Chinese; others said it was wrong
because of the danger of infection to the children. But time proved
these objections to be unfounded. The very highest as well as the lowest
were received, and their friendship won by this means. And, so far as I
can remember, our children never met any contagion because of this way
of receiving the people into our house.

The climax in numbers was reached in the spring of 1899, when eighteen
hundred and thirty-five men and several hundred women were received by
us in one day. These were first preached to in large bands, and then led
through the house. We have seen evidences of the good of this plan in
all parts of our field. It opened the hearts of the people toward us,
and helped us to live down suspicion and distrust as nothing else could
have done.

* * * * *

In May of 1898 we started down to Tientsin by houseboat, with our
children, for a much-needed rest and change. Cold, wet weather soon set
in. Twelve days later, as we came in sight of Tientsin, with a bitter
north wind blowing, our eldest child went on deck without his overcoat,
in disobedience to my orders. Shortly after the child came in with a
violent chill. That afternoon, when we arrived in Tientsin, the doctors
pronounced the verdict--pneumonia.

The following day, shortly after noon, a second doctor, who had been
called in consultation, met a friend on his way from our boy's bedside
and told her he did not think the child could live till morning. I had
taken his temperature, and found it to be 106. He was extremely
restless, tossing in the burning fever. Sitting down beside him, with a
cry to the Lord to help me, I said distinctly: "P----, you disobeyed me,
and have thus brought this illness upon yourself. I forgive you; ask
Jesus to forgive you, and give yourself to him."

The child looked at me for a moment steadily, then closed his eyes. I
saw his lips move for a moment; then quietly he sank into a sound sleep.
When he awoke, about dusk, I took his temperature, and found it 101. By
the time the doctor returned it was normal, and did not rise again.
Although he had been having hemorrhage from the lungs, this ceased.

Is not Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and forever? Why should
we wonder, therefore, at his healing touch in this age? "According to
your faith be it unto you."

* * * *